Travel insurance for Belgium

What should my travel insurance policy cover?

Your travel insurance can protect you against things that could impact your trip, and standard policies should include cover for:

• Cancellation and delays
• Missed transport beyond your control
• Emergency medical cover
• The cost of getting you home if you get injured or become seriously ill (known as repatriation)
• Lost, damaged, and stolen baggage or personal belongings
• Travel expenses for a friend or family member to be with you or travel back with you if you’re injured or unwell
• Personal liability

You can also buy policy add-ons to tailor cover to your specific needs and situation.

What won’t my travel insurance policy cover?

It’s important to understand the exclusions and what your travel insurance policy won’t protect you against.

Typical exclusions include:

• Taking part in high-risk sports and activities
• Claiming for an undeclared pre-existing medical condition
• Travelling against government advice
• Accidents and injuries that happen when you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Missed departure because you were stuck in traffic or overslept
• Stolen or missing items when your belongings were left unattended
• Strikes and industrial action if the date was known when you booked your trip

Covid-19 and travelling to Belgium

Before travelling to Belgium, you should check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice.

This will give you the latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, and entry requirements. It will also let you know about any travel warnings you need to be aware of.

It’s also a good idea to check the TravelHealthPro website for the most up-to-date information on health risks and what you need to do before you travel.

If you’re travelling from the UK to Belgium, there are no longer any Covid-19 restrictions. So you won’t need to show any proof of vaccination or have a negative test result before you travel.

Entry rules and requirements may change though, so you should always check the most current information before you visit the country.

Do I need a visa to enter Belgium from the UK?

No, because Belgium is part of the EU and one of the 26 countries in the Schengen area that allows free travel, you won’t need a visa if your stay is less than 90 days.

You can travel to Belgium and other countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without needing a visa.

To be allowed entry into Belgium and other Schengen countries, your passport must be:

• Issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country
• Valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave

What’s the standard of healthcare in Belgium?

The Belgian healthcare system is seen as one of the best in Europe and is divided into public and private hospitals and clinics.

Belgium healthcare is subsidised rather than free, so most Belgians take out private health insurance to help cover the costs.

Does travel insurance cover terrorist attacks?

Standard travel insurance doesn’t cover you for acts of terror, including if a terrorist attack or threat causes cancellations or damage to personal belongings.

However, some policies will pay out if someone listed on the policy is injured or killed as a result of terrorism.

To make sure you’re covered, you can buy a separate terrorism insurance add-on. But be aware that this won’t cover you for particularly risky countries - these will be listed on your policy.

Most travel insurance policies won’t cover you to travel anywhere that’s advised against by the FCDO.

Am I covered to drive in Belgium?

Your travel insurance should cover you if you’re injured in a motoring accident. And it may provide cover if your car’s broken into and your possessions are stolen, as long as they were hidden out of sight.

If you’re involved in a car accident, your travel insurance is likely to cover you for emergency medical care, although exclusions will apply if you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

But you won’t be covered for personal liability if you’re driving in Belgium and you injure other people or cause damage to their car or possessions.

If you’re taking your own car to Belgium, check your car insurance will cover you for this and for driving your car abroad.

For rental cars, most will include insurance as part of the rental agreement, but you’ll need to check what exactly it covers before you set off.

Is healthcare in Belgium free?

No, healthcare and hospital treatment in Belgium isn’t free. You’ll have to pay a daily charge for treatment, and you may also have to pay an admittance fee if you need a hospital stay.

The EHIC or GHIC will entitle you to receive treatment at the same cost that Belgian citizens must pay.

You’ll be required to pay the fees up front and then you can claim to be partially reimbursed from the Belgian health insurance fund while you’re in the country.

When you’re getting treatment, make sure the doctor gives you a receipt as proof of the amount you’ve paid.

What language is spoken in Belgium?

Belgium is home to three official languages and plenty of regional dialects. The three main languages spoken here are Dutch, German, and French.

Flemish Dutch is the most spoken of the three and French is the primary language for around 40% of Belgians.

Many Belgians also speak English as a second language.