Bruxelles - Brussel : Formalities and administrative procedures
Bruxelles - Brussel : Organize your stay
Money Bruxelles - Brussel
The currency of Belgium is the Euro. King Philip I is the one who appears on the coins.
Budget & Tips Bruxelles - Brussel
You will quickly notice that except for beer, the cost of living is a bit more expensive in Belgium: restaurants, shopping, hotels, transportation, museums... For smaller budgets (for example, staying in a youth hostel dormitory), count on at least 60 €/day. In restaurants and bars, service is included in the bill, so there is no need to tip, unless you want to reward particularly attentive service.
Passport and visas Bruxelles - Brussel
Travelers from the European Union only need to bring their identity card or passport. For other travelers, a valid passport is required.
For visas and other legal documents, the rules may differ depending on whether the visitor is from a country belonging to the Schengen area or not. There are also differences depending on the length of the stay, especially if the stay exceeds 3 months of residence. Foreigners residing in France and in good standing - holders of a prefectural residence permit or a residence permit - in metropolitan France or in the French overseas departments, are authorized to stay up to 90 days per semester in Belgium without needing a visa, as long as they do not carry out any paid activity or pursue studies there. They must carry their valid national passport and their French residence permit.
For more information on the conditions of entry in Belgium: https://diplomatie.belgium.be
Driver's license Bruxelles - Brussel
If you come with your own car, no problem, European permits are valid in Belgium. However, since the establishment of the low emission zone on the territory of the Brussels Region, some of the most polluting vehicles are no longer allowed. These are diesel vehicles without standard, Euro 1, 2, 3 and 4 (put into circulation before 01/01/2011) and gasoline Euro 1 and without standard (put into circulation before 01/01/1997). All vehicles registered abroad that can circulate in the zone must register (free of charge) via: https://lez.brussels/mytax/fr/registration. The registration is free and valid for 3 years.
Zone 30: The maximum speed limit in Brussels is now 30 km/h on all roads in the Brussels-Capital Region, except on major roads where the speed limit remains 50 or 70 km/h. Pay attention to the signs!
Parking. The parking lots in the center are very expensive and limited in time. Opt for the peripheral parking lots at a moderate price with the purchase of a public transport ticket. More information on parking.brussels/en/smart/park-ride-pr.
To rent a car in Belgium, all agencies will require the main driver to have a valid driver's license and identity card. A minimum age is almost always required (21 years old) and a deposit will have to be provided, either in cash or in the form of a credit card hold. Be sure to check all other requirements with the rental agency.
Health Bruxelles - Brussel
The Belgian health care system is among the best in Europe, but don't forget to take your European Health Insurance Card with you to make it easier for you to be taken care of in case of a problem. It is free of charge and can be requested via your health insurance organization or via your Ameli or France Connect account.
Security Bruxelles - Brussel
Brussels is a big city, with the same little problems as other big cities, such as pickpockets. Avoid leaving your valuables unattended.
Spoken languages Bruxelles - Brussel
Brussels is officially bilingual French-Dutch. You will see that everything, from street names to restaurant menus, is indicated in the 2 main national languages (the3rd being German, but not official in Brussels). In fact, the majority of the population is French-speaking, but you will hear many other languages. Obviously English (which is often used as a lingua franca, even between French and Flemish speakers) but also Arabic, Turkish, Lingala, Spanish, Italian, Mandarin... A real Tower of Babel!
Communication Bruxelles - Brussel
If your telecom operator is from a European Union country, your subscription will work just like at home. Internet is available almost everywhere (in hotels, restaurants, bars...) and a few free hot spots are open in the city, notably on the Grand-Place, near Place De Brouckère and Place Sainte-Catherine.
Luggage Bruxelles - Brussel
"With a sky so low, that a canal was hung," said the Grand Jacques. The essential item to pack is... an umbrella. Belgians rarely travel without an umbrella in their bag, especially between November and May when the weather is particularly variable. A waterproof jacket is also recommended.
Bruxelles - Brussel : Daily life
Hello? Bruxelles - Brussel
To call from Brussels to France, dial +33 followed by the number of your correspondent without the 0. To call from France to Brussels, dial +32, followed by the city code minus the zero, followed by the number of your correspondent. For example + 32 2 513 89 40
To call within the country, simply dial the 9-digit number of your correspondent.
Cell phone numbers are easily recognizable by their identical structure: 04xx followed by 6 digits. It is mandatory to identify yourself to buy a prepaid card. There are three main operators (Proximus, Orange, Base) and some subcontractors.
Public phone booths no longer exist in Brussels, nor elsewhere in Belgium.
Accessibility Bruxelles - Brussel
Public establishments are normally accessible to people with reduced mobility. Hotel directories indicate which hotels have facilities for the disabled, and tourist offices can provide more detailed information. If the person you are traveling with is mentally or physically handicapped, or if you yourself are in this situation, various organizations and associations can help. On the Internet, www.handy.brussels is a tourist guide for travelers with reduced mobility. All metro stations have Braille and pedomark signs, and around 50 are wheelchair-accessible.
Health Bruxelles - Brussel
In the event of illness, Belgium's healthcare system is of the highest quality. As a European (and a resident of Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland), you are covered by Social Security in Belgium. Don't forget your European Health Insurance Card. Living outside these countries? Travel insurance is a must.
Pharmacies on call: https://pharmacy.brussels/fr/services/pharmacie-de-garde/
Doctors on call: https://gbbw.be/index.php/fr/ or call 1733
Emergency numbers Bruxelles - Brussel
Two emergency numbers (in Brussels and throughout Belgium): 112 for the fire department and ambulances (European number) and 101 for the police.
Securty Bruxelles - Brussel
Brussels is not a particularly dangerous city. However, as in any large city where tourists abound, you should take precautions to avoid attracting the attention of pickpockets. Make sure your bags are securely fastened, and avoid placing large quantities of identity papers, wallets and cash in the front pocket of your backpack or the back pocket of your pants. The Gare du Nord and especially the Gare du Midi, and the neighborhoods around them, are hot spots. Recent months have seen an increase in crime due to drug trafficking in these neighborhoods and in some parts of Anderlecht and Molenbeek. Be extra cautious and use public transport to get to your destination. And be careful not to leave anything in sight in your car.
LGBTQ Bruxelles - Brussel
The LGBTQIA+ community is quite large, visible and fairly well accepted in Brussels, even if there are a few cases of discrimination. As in most major European cities, there's nothing to report in this regard.
Embassies and consulates Bruxelles - Brussel
Embassy of France in Brussels :
Rue Ducale 65
Open from Monday to Friday from 8:45 am to 3:45 pm
+32 2 548 87 11
Consulate General of France :
Boulevard du Régent 42
Open from Monday to Friday, from 8.45 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 4.10 pm
+32 2 548 88 11
Mail Bruxelles - Brussel
In Brussels, post offices are generally open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., sometimes until 6 p.m. on weekdays and Saturday mornings. See www.bpost.be for the specific opening hours of each office. The "points-poste" set up in shopping malls or bookshops are open later (7pm) and offer many standard services. A stamp for postage within the European Union costs €2.66. A normal letter sent to Belgium costs €1.43. Stamps are hard to come by outside the Post Office or post office outlets, except where postcards are sold. Within the country, mail is delivered on D+1 or D+2.
Local media Bruxelles - Brussel
Press
National dailies
Le Soir - www.lesoir.be - A quality French-language newspaper with neutral content and a good tone.
La Libre Belgique - www.lalibre.be - This quality French-language title has opened up to new themes without denying its Catholic and royalist origins.
La Dernière Heure - www.dhnet.be - Popular daily. Well-stocked sports section.
De Morgen - www.demorgen.be - Quality Flemish daily with a left-leaning reputation.
De Standaard - www.standaard.be - Quality conservative Flemish daily.
Het Laatste Nieuws - www.hln.be - Popular Flemish newspaper.
Het Nieuwsblad - www.nieuwsblad.be - Popular Dutch-language daily, competitor of the above.
L'Écho - www.lecho.be - French-language business and finance daily.
De Financieel Ekonomische Tijd - www.tijd.be - Flemish-language economics and finance daily.
Regional dailies
La Capitale - www.lacapitale.be (Sud Presse group)
as well as a specific regional section in the national dailies.
Magazines
In addition to the large number of French magazines, some of which have a Belgian version(Paris-Match, Téléstar, Elle...), there are of course some specifically Belgian magazines.
Ciné Télé Revue is a real phenomenon: almost one French-speaker in ten buys it every week, to read about TV programs and the latest celebrity rumors. Télé Moustique is an interesting reference for its TV program and its truculent dossiers: in summer, the supplement with all the festivals in Belgium is very useful. Also in the same category is Télépro (the second best-selling French-language magazine).
On the newsmagazine side, Le Vif/L'Express is the authority in French-speaking Belgium. Trends/Tendances is a comprehensive business weekly.
Radio
Two styles of radio coexist: general stations (news, humor and service) and music stations. Bel RTL and La Première are the most popular general-interest stations. On the music side, Radio Contact offers mainstream variety; Classic 21 (RTBF) specializes in adult rock; Tipik (RTBF) is the young radio stationRadio Nostalgie in French chanson; NRJ, Fun Radio Belgique target younger audiences; Tipik is the radio station for hip young adults; Musiq3 (RTBF) broadcasts classical music only. On the Flemish side, the public channels have a strong presence (notably StuBru, spearheading contemporary music), but QMusic (rock) and Joe (music from the 70s, 80s and 90s) rank2nd and3rd respectively.
