Belgium is a small, sovereign state in Western Europe bordered by France, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and the North Sea. It is known for its rich history, diverse culture (having a blend of Dutch and French influences, evident in its cuisine, architecture, and festivals), and significant political role in Europe. The country's also famous for well-known comic strips like Tintin, medieval towns, and Renaissance art. Its capital, Brussels, is considered the 'De Facto' capital of the European Union, hosting major institutions like the European Commission and the European Parliament. Brussels is a vibrant city with museums, art galleries, theaters, and a dynamic culinary scene. The city is also home to famous landmarks like the Atomium, Grand Place, Manneken Pis, and the Royal Palace.
Flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes.
Belgium classifies traffic offenses into 4 degrees, each with corresponding on‑the‑spot and court fines:
Examples of common traffic violations include:
Also, smoking inside a vehicle when a child under 16 is present can lead to fines up to €1,000.
If fined on-the-spot and no Belgian address is available, tourists may be required to pay immediately in cash or by card, or post a deposit of equal amount to avoid vehicle impoundment. Unpaid fines can accumulate late fees, lead to court summons, driving bans, difficulty renting cars or obtaining insurance, and possibly enforcement in one's own country.
The official languages of Belgium are Dutch, French and German.
In Belgium, vehicles drive on the right and overtake on the left. Traffic already on roundabouts, and trams will always have priority, and if there are no signs to say otherwise, you must give way to traffic coming from your right. You must be 18 years or older to drive a car, but you must be at least 19 – 21 to rent one, depending on the company, along with having a valid licence held for at least one year. Drivers under 25 are often have to pay a surcharge. UK drivers don't typically need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Belgium for short visits (up to 185 days), unless they hold an older paper licence.
Expect busy traffic and assertive drivers, especially in cities. While there are no toll roads, many cities in Belgium have Low Emission Zones (LEZ) — a registration may be required to drive in these zones. Also, parking in cities is often paid and restricted, and watch out for bilingual road signs — French/Dutch names change.
In Belgium, unleaded petrol (Super 95/E10 and Super 98/E5), diesel/B7 and EV charging are widely available at petrol stations, while LPG is available at some stations. Belgium has many unmanned (automatic) self-service stations, especially outside cities, where card is the most common payment method, with contactless being widely accepted, but some machines may require a PIN, and many self-service pumps don't accept cash. When you insert your card, the pump may pre-authorise €100 – €200. You’ll only be charged for what you use, while the rest (if any) is released later — can take a few days. Petrol in a can is permitted, but forbidden aboard ferries.
Many stations are 24/7, though staffed stations usually opens at 6am, and finishes at 8pm. Fuel prices are regulated, but are more expensive than in some neighbouring countries, with fuel at motorway stations usually costing more than local ones. It is best to fill up before entering motorways to save money, and to carry a backup card just in case.
Speed limits in Belgium are as follows, unless otherwise indicated:
The legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit is 0.05%.
Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers.
Any child under 12 years must not travel in the front of the car as a passenger, and must be sitting in a suitable car seat fitted to their size.
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