Travel formalities
& documents
A smooth trip starts with the right documents. This page provides a complete overview of required travel documents, visas and formalities per destination — specifically for Belgian travellers and other nationalities.
ID required for everyone
Every passenger — including children and babies — must present a valid official photo ID at departure. This document must match the name provided at the time of booking.
You are solely responsible
You must prove that you comply with all travel formalities required by your country of origin and the destination country. All costs arising from non-compliance — including a possible return flight — are your own responsibility.
Damaged travel documents
A torn passport, cracked or torn identity card, or an electronic identity card with a missing or damaged chip may be considered invalid by competent Belgian or foreign authorities. Any refusal of access to the flight or country is entirely your own responsibility. Replace damaged documents before your trip.
Children and minors
Children under 12 need a photo ID or Kids-ID. For children travelling alone or with only one parent or with persons other than the parents, additional formalities may apply. Always check with the embassy of the destination.
Travellers over 75
Travellers over 75 are no longer automatically called for renewal of their identity card. For travel abroad, a valid identity card with a valid expiry date is required. Apply for a new identity card at your municipality if your current card has expired.
Always consult the embassy
The information on this page is indicative and subject to change. For every destination, always contact the relevant embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date and officially valid travel formalities.
Identity card
For EU countries and selected tourist destinations. Valid at minimum until the return date.
International passport
Required for destinations outside the EU. Often required to be valid for at least 6 months after return.
Visa
Permission from the destination state to stay there temporarily. To be applied for at the embassy or on arrival.
International vaccination certificate
Required for certain countries. The so-called "yellow booklet". Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for some countries.
Parental consent
Recommended when children travel alone or with only one parent. Preferably certified by the municipality.
ESTA / e-visa
Electronic travel authorisation for destinations such as the US. Must be applied for before departure.
A. Identity card
For EU member states and selected destinations
For many EU member states and some popular tourist destinations, a valid Belgian identity card is sufficient. The basic rule is that the identity card must be valid at minimum until the return date. Some destinations have stricter requirements (e.g. valid for at least 3 or 6 months after arrival).
Note: damaged identity cards — torn, cracked or with a missing/damaged chip — may be considered invalid by authorities. Replace such documents before your departure.
B. International passport
Required for travel outside the EU and to many destinations worldwide
An international passport is a universally recognised travel document, accepted by all countries. It is compulsory for travel to countries where the identity card is not sufficient. Always check the validity period: many countries require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months from the date you leave that country.
Normal application
Apply at your municipal services with 2 recent passport photos, your ID card and your old passport. Delivery time: approx. 3 weeks. Validity: 10 years (adults), 5 years (children).
Emergency procedure
If you cannot wait 3 weeks, you can opt for the express procedure. Delivery time: approx. 3 working days. This procedure involves a higher cost.
C. Visa
Permission to stay in the destination country
A visa is an official permission from the destination country to stay there for a specific period. Visas are granted by the embassy or consulate of the country to be visited. The embassy is free to refuse a visa.
Find out in good time: the required application lead time, which documents to present, whether you can arrange everything by post, and the cost (which varies per country and validity period). Some countries grant a visa on arrival or offer an e-visa via their official website.
D. International vaccination certificate (the "yellow booklet")
Mandatory for certain risk areas and countries
Many countries, mainly in tropical risk areas, will refuse entry if you cannot present an internationally recognised vaccination certificate. The most well-known example is the yellow fever vaccination.
Consult your GP well before departure. You can also contact the Travelfoon of the Institute of Tropical Medicine on 0900 101 10 or visit www.itg.be.
E. Parental consent for minors
Recommended for children travelling alone or with one parent
There are no uniform Belgian or international procedures or forms for parental consent. When a child travels with only one parent, it is strongly recommended that this parent carries a written agreement from the other parent, preferably certified by the municipality.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends parental consent when the child travels alone or with persons other than the parents. Also check with the embassy or consulate of the destination country.
The overview below applies to holders of Belgian nationality. Information is indicative and subject to change. Always consult the relevant embassy or diplomatie.belgium.be for the most current official information.
| Destination | Required document | Validity | Visa | Special notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | ID card | Min. 3 months after arrival | — | — |
| Algeria | Passport | 6 months after arrival | Visa required | Visa via Algerian embassy Brussels (tel. 02/537.82.41). Mandatory travel & assistance insurance required. See consulatalgerie.be |
| Aruba | Passport | 6 months after return | — | — |
| Bosnia-Herzegovina | ID card | Min. 3 months after return | — | Max. stay 90 days. Return ticket required at arrival. |
| Bulgaria | ID card | Valid during stay | Visa if stay >90 days | — |
| Cuba | Passport + tourist card | Valid during stay | Visa >30 days (extendable) | Return ticket + hotel booking (min. 2 nights) at arrival. Asistur-approved insurance mandatory. Prior data submission required. |
| Curaçao | Passport | 6 months after return | — | — |
| Cyprus (Greek) | ID card | Valid during stay | — | — |
| Cyprus (Turkish) | See Turkey | — | — | Same requirements as Turkey |
| Dominican Republic | Passport | Valid during stay | Tourist card (USD 10 on arrival) | Return ticket required. USD 10 airport tax on return. Stay >30 days: visa + extra tax. Special formalities for unaccompanied minors (up to age 17). |
| Egypt (<1 month) | ID card (electronic with chip) | Min. 6 months after arrival | Visa required | Visa on arrival (cash, USD or EUR — check current price) or e-visa via visa2egypt.gov.eg. 1 passport photo required when travelling with ID card. |
| Egypt (>1 month) | Passport (min. 1 blank page) | Min. 6 months after arrival | Visa required | Visa on arrival (cash — check current price) or e-visa. No photo required with passport. |
| France | ID card | Valid during stay | — | — |
| Gambia | ID card | Min. 6 months after arrival | — | — |
| Greece | ID card | Valid during stay | — | — |
| Israel | Passport | 6 months after return | Visa if stay >90 days | Return ticket required at arrival. |
| Italy | ID card | Valid during stay | — | — |
| Jamaica | Passport | 6 months after return | Visa >90 days (tourism) or >30 days (business) | Return ticket required at arrival. |
| Jordan | ID card or Passport | Min. 6 months after return | Visa on arrival (±€37.50) | ID card accepted via Aqaba airport, ticket booked >5 working days, excursions in Jordan or beach stay without diving. Passport required for excursions to other countries, diving or late bookings. |
| Cape Verde | Passport | 6 months after arrival | Visa required (±€45 on arrival or in advance) | Visa at embassy Brussels (02/643.62.70) or on arrival. Extension required for stay >30 days (within 14 nights of arrival). |
| Kosovo | ID card | Valid during stay | Visa if stay >90 days | — |
| Croatia | ID card | Valid during stay | Free visa on arrival | Bosnia visit requires passport (valid 6 months after leaving Bosnia). Visa required if stay >90 days. |
| North Macedonia | ID card | Valid during stay | — | — |
| Malta | ID card | Valid during stay | — | — |
| Morocco | Passport | Valid during stay | Visa if stay >90 days | — |
| Mexico | Passport + tourist card | Valid during stay | Visa if stay >180 days | Free tourist card on arrival. Return ticket required. Prior data submission required. |
| Montenegro | ID card | Valid during stay | — | Stay >30 days: passport required. Max. stay 90 days. Return ticket required at arrival. |
| Austria | ID card | Valid during stay | — | — |
| Portugal / Madeira / Azores | ID card | Valid during stay | — | — |
| Spain | ID card | Valid during stay | — | — |
| Tunisia | Passport | Valid during stay + min. 1 blank page | — No visa (<90 days) | ⚠️ From 1/1/2025: passport mandatory — identity card no longer accepted. Hotel booking + return ticket required at arrival. Import of Tunisian dinar prohibited; exchange at hotels or ATMs. |
| Turkey | ID card or Passport | 6 months after arrival | — No visa (max. 90 days per 180 days) | No visa required for Belgian tourists (exemption in force since 2 March 2020). Kids-ID accepted for children <12 if accompanied by at least 1 parent. |
| USA | Passport (incl. children) | Valid until return date | ESTA mandatory | ESTA via esta.cbp.dhs.gov (min. 72h before departure, USD 14, credit card payment). ESTA valid 2 years. Max. stay 90 days. Travellers who have visited Syria, Iran, Iraq or Sudan (after 2011) or dual nationals (incl. these countries): visa required. |
| Zanzibar (Tanzania) | Passport | Min. 6 months after visa | Visa required | Visa at Tanzanian embassy Brussels, on arrival or at land border. Price: USD 50 p.p. (cash, USD only). Yellow fever certificate required. |
Moroccan nationality
Required documents for Schengen and other destinations
French nationality
Required documents for the most booked destinations
All other nationalities
Requirements vary greatly by nationality and destination
Copy your documents
Make copies (or digital photos) of your passport, identity card, visa and insurance certificates. Keep them separate from the originals and also digitally.
Apply for documents in time
A standard passport takes 3 weeks. Visas can take weeks. Start the application process at least 2 months before departure.
Travel insurance & vaccinations
Always take out solid travel and assistance insurance. For some destinations (Cuba, Algeria), this is even legally required. Consult your GP or the Institute of Tropical Medicine (0900 101 10).
Consult official sources
The most reliable information is found at diplomatie.belgium.be and on the official website of the embassy of your destination.
Cash for visas and taxes
For visas on arrival and airport taxes, cash payment is often required (USD or EUR). Have sufficient change ready.
Travelling with children
Travelling with children, especially with only one parent? Bring certified parental consent and check the specific requirements of the destination country.
The information on this page was last updated in May 2025 and is indicative, subject to change. Always consult diplomatie.belgium.be and the embassy of the destination country for officially up-to-date information. For questions: +32 (0)2 215 99 98 or info@flybru.be.
