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Print Version
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TRAVEL REPORT
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Last Updated: August 16, 2006 11:09
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Still Valid: December 8, 2006 23:05
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1. INTRODUCTION
A minor editorial change has been made in section 13 of this Travel Report.
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2. ATTENTION
OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Canadians should register with the responsible Canadian government office in this country if they are going to be there for longer than three months. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form. Canadians visiting for less than three months are strongly advised to: (a) leave a detailed travel itinerary and contact information with family or friends in Canada; (b) provide family with the emergency number for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (1 800 267-6788 or 613-944-6788); and (c) keep the phone number of the responsible Canadian government office on hand (see Section 7 below).
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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
Violent crime is low. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse-snatching, occurs frequently. Exercise caution in crowded areas, on public transportation, at airports and in main railway stations in Brussels and Antwerp. Small groups of young men have been known to target people between the Gare du Nord and the Gare du Midi and in quiet subway stations, especially after office hours.
An increasing number of thefts have occurred in and around Gare du Midi in Brussels. As the terminal of several international trains, the station has become a major target for organized gangs. Be especially cautious if approached by anyone asking odd questions, spilling food or drink, or telling you someone else has spilled something on your clothes. Pickpockets operate on international trains such as the Paris-Brussels-Amsterdam and the Brussels-London lines.
Remain vigilant at all times and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure. In an emergency, call 101 for police, 100 for fire or medical assistance, or 112 for all distress calls.
As capital of the European Union and the location of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Headquarters, Brussels frequently experiences large-scale protests and widespread demonstrations by various interest groups. Canadians should monitor local news reports and avoid demonstrations and large gatherings.
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4. LOCAL TRAVEL
Many accidents are due to speeding. The Belgian Government introduced strict laws to improve traffic safety. Speed traps, cameras, and unmarked vehicles are in operation throughout the country. Fines for exceeding the maximum speed limit (120 kilometres per hour on highways and 50 in population centers) have increased substantially.
Penalties for drinking and driving are strict. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.5. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines, and driving licences may be confiscated immediately.
The use of a cellular telephone while driving is prohibited, unless fitted with a hands-free device. Police can collect traffic fines on the spot. Vehicles may be impounded for failure to pay.
Drivers should also be aware of the "priority of the right" rule, which applies to drivers joining major roads from minor roads. Visibility is frequently obscured by rain and fog.
Carjackings have frequently occurred in Brussels and the Brabant area. Do not leave personal belongings unattended in vehicles. Drive with windows up and car doors locked at all times.
Road signing is written in Dutch in the Flemish region.
Canadians living in Belgium should be aware that neither a Canadian driver's licence nor an IDP are recognized. Only an Alberta, Ontario or Quebec driver's licence can be exchanged for a Belgian driver's licence. Residents of provinces other than Alberta, Ontario and Quebec should contact their provincial licence authorities to see whether they plan to negotiate reciprocal recognition arrangements with Belgium. To obtain a Belgian driver's licence, you must pass all local courses and tests, both theoretical and practical. It may take from six months to a year to be able to drive legally and unaccompanied.
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5. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
Flooding is a threat on reclaimed coastal lands protected from the sea by dikes.
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6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.However, Canada and Belgium are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Belgium to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Belgian authorities.
Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.
Canadian citizens who have dual nationality will be subject to Belgian laws, such as mandatory voting. Those affected should enquire at a Belgian embassy or consulate regarding their status. Dual nationality may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services.
Visitors are legally required to carry identification at all times. A photocopy of your passport's identification page is usually sufficient.
The penalty for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs may result in jail sentences and heavy fines.
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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
You can obtain consular assistance and further information at the following address:
Belgium - BRUSSELS, Embassy of Canada
Address: Avenue de Tervuren 2, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel.: 32 (2) 741-0611
Fax: 32 (2) 741-0619
E-mail: bru@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.international.gc.ca/brussels
Belgium - ANVERS (ANTWERPEN), Consulate of Canada
Address: Sint Pietersvliet, 15, B-2000 Anvers, Belgium
Tel.: 32 (3) 220-0211
Fax: 32 (3) 220-0204
For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Brussels and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa collect at 00-800-2326-6831 or use the services offered by Canada Direct.Canada Direct, offered by Canada's major telecommunications companies, provides travellers with toll-free and hassle-free access to the Canadian telephone network. The Canada Direct access number from Belgium is 0-800-10019 or 0-800-70019, where a Canadian operator is always available. For more information, call 1 800 561-8868 or visit the Canada Direct Web site.
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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Belgian authorities and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on June 26, 2006. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Conditions are subject to change.
Foreign Affairs Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of Belgium and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Belgium. The passport must be valid for at least three months after arrival.
Tourist Visa: Not required (for less than 90 days)
Business Visa: Not required (for less than 90 days)
Student Visa: Required
Working Visa: Required
Up-to-date information regarding visa requirements for entry into Belgium and the Schengen territory can be found in Section 17 of this Report, as well as in the Travel Visa section of the following official Web site: www.diplomatie.be.
Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.
Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.
Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
Same-sex marriages are legal in this country.
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9. MONEY
The currency is the euro (EUR). Visitors should carry only a minimum amount of cash. Credit cards and traveller's cheques are widely accepted. ATMs are widely available. Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.
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10. GENERAL INFORMATION
Belgium (capital: Brussels) is located in Western Europe, bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France, and the North Sea. Belgium is a member of the European Union. Tourist facilities are widely available. The official languages are Flemish, French, and German. Many Belgians also speak English.
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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.
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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Excellent healthcare facilities are widely available.
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13. RETURNING TO CANADA
Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.
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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.
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15. TRAVEL TIPS
Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.
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16. HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE
Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.
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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION
The member states of the European Union (not including the United Kingdom and Ireland), plus Norway and Iceland, make up the Schengen area, which aims to abolish border controls between those countries and create a single external frontier. However, controls are still in place at the borders of the newer Schengen countries.
Canadians do not need visas for short-term visits to Schengen countries, but some member states require you to register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival. It is important to get your passport stamped when entering the Schengen area. The absence of an entry stamp from the initial Schengen port of entry could create difficulties during subsequent encounters with local police or other authorities.
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18. ANNEX
N/A
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