Belgium : Safety by City
Belgium, or officially – the Kingdom of Belgium, is located in Western Europe.
It is bordered by Germany, Netherlands, Luxemburg, France, and the North Sea.
A country of waffles and chocolate, history and paying respects to the victims, wonderful nature, interesting festivals and variety of beers, Belgium is truly interesting for tourists.
Whether you decide to visit the famous Brussels Christmas Market, climb and stand at Belgium’s highest point, take a river tour or enjoy the pure nature, you will surely have fun and probably gain a few pounds along the way.
Trying that delicious chocolate will definitely be worth it.
Warnings & Dangers in Belgium
OVERALL RISK : LOW
Belgium is a pretty safe country to visit, just make sure you protect yourself from scams and overpaying for taxi rides and meals in restaurants. Make sure to read the reviews and pick only the trusted restaurants that don't scam tourists.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : MEDIUM
The public transport system is great in Belgium. Tourists can choose between trolleybuses, city buses, passenger trains, trans, ferries, and rapid transit. There are also taxies you can use. Just make sure you are careful because the stations are usually places where pickpocketing can occur.
PICKPOCKETS RISK : MEDIUM
Pickpocketing is an issue in all big cities. Tourist places are riskiest for this kind of activity. Protect yourself as much as possible by carrying a copy of your passport, not the original one, and make sure you don't carry a lot of money with you.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : LOW
Belgium is susceptible to structural failure, gas leaks, natural disasters, collapsed buildings, water damage and floods. In case something like that occurs while your vacation in Belgium, make sure you follow the guidelines from the government and the security protocol.
MUGGING RISK : MEDIUM
Mugging can occur in Belgium and make sure not to leave your bag in the compartment over your seat because this way it's easy for thieves to grab it. Don't carry with you expensive gadgets such as iPods or laptops since this may attract attention.
TERRORISM RISK : MEDIUM
The risk of terrorist attacks exists and there were attempted attacks in the recent past. In 2016, 32 people lost their lives during the attacks and 300 people were injured. The attacks occurred at Maelbeek metro station and Brussels National Airport.
SCAMS RISK : MEDIUM
Scams are frequent in Belgium. If you go to a restaurant for a meal, be careful because you may end up paying much more than you expected to. Some restaurants will charge you for tap water or serve you food that you didn't order to increase your bill.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : LOW
Belgium is a very safe country for women. Female travelers feel comfortable most of the time, if not all the time. Trust your gut feeling and use your street smarts to keep yourself safe. Make sure you keep an eye on your belongings all the time.
How Safe Is Belgium for Tourists?
There are some scams in Belgium that you need to be aware of, so you can enjoy your vacation as much as possible.
You will probably notice beggers on the street trying to get money from people passing by or ask you directly to give them some money, telling you some sad story about an illness or anything else they think you might fall for.
Ignore these types of scams, because it is a simple attempt to get money.
There is also a so-called “gold ring” scam.
A person picks up the ring from the floor and asks you if it’s yours.
When you say it’s not, the person will say it’s a gift and then tell some sad story with the finishing line for asking money.
Simply decline and move on.
Also, be careful about the taxies you take.
It is really important to take just the one that has a license and use a meter, otherwise, you may end up with a headache at the end of the ride.
There is also a charity scam.
People will act like they are mute or deaf and ask you to sign a petition that usually has some amount of money stated.
Inform yourself to avoid these situations.
Do I Need a Visa to Visit Belgium?
Only the citizens of the third-world countries require a visa to enter Belgium if the planned stay is shorter than 90 days.
Another requirement necessary for tourists is to have a 3 months validity of the passport.
Which Currency Is Used in Belgium?
The official currency in Belgium is the Euro.
The symbol of the euro is €.
One U.S. dollar equals 0,90 Euro.
Credit cards are widely used, but carry some cash just in case you need it.
How's the Weather like in Belgium?
The climate in Belgium is temperate.
The summers are cool and the winters are moderate.
The average temperature during summer goes around 21°C, while the average temperature during winter goes around 3°C.
What Do I Need to Know about Airports in Belgium?
There are 5 airports in Belgium.
The main one is the Brussels Airport.
It is located 12km away from Brussels.
It serves more than 24 million passengers a year making it one of the busiest airports in Europe.
Should I Get Travel Insurance for My Travels?
Travel insurance is recommended even for a short stay.
You can take general coverage or add specific items to the list.
Make sure there is coverage for medical expenses, as well as holiday cancelation or abandoning your trip.
What Are Some Things to Do in Belgium?
Belgium is famous for craft beer and you shouldn’t miss on trying one while you are there.
Chocolate lovers will surely be amazed by the wonderful taste and so many different chocolates that are famous all over the world.
Is the Water in Belgium Safe to Drink?
Tap water is perfectly safe for drinking.
There is one research that says that it is even healthier and better than the bottled water that can be found in shops.
Is Uber Safe in Belgium?
There is Uber in Belgium, Brussels – to be more precise.
It can be arranged for a driver to pick you up at the airport.
Simply install the app and enjoy its services.
The plan is to even expand the services available.
