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on December 6th, 2024 (JST) current information

Immigration and Visa

Visa

A visa is not required for countries participating in the Schengen Agreement if the purpose of your visit is sightseeing and your overall stay is 90 days or less within a 180 day-period. (for Japanese nationals)

Passport

The remaining period of validity on your passport must be at least 3 months from the day you leave a country in the Schengen Area. (Having travel insurance is preferable.)

  • Schengen Agreement
    As of December 2024, countries in the Schengen Area are Iceland, Italy, Estonia, Austria, Holland, Greece, Croatia, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Hungary, Finland, France, Bulgaria, Belgium, Poland, Portugal, Malta, Latvia, Lithuania, Lichtenstein, Romania and Luxembourg. Romania and Bulgaria are part of the agreement by air and sea.
    When entering from Japan or another country outside of the Schengen Area, complete immigration and customs clearance upon arriving at the first country in the area during your visit.
  • Visa, passport, and other information is subject to change without notice. Be sure to check with the Embassy, Consulate, or travel agency.

Quarantine

When visiting from Japan, the following items are prohibited from bringing in to Belgium.

  • a: Meat and meat products. Milk, dairy products (excluding the allowable amount of baby formula, baby food, special foods required for medical reasons, and special pet foods)
  • b:Potato tubers (including those for food and for processing), specified plant and animal species
  • c: Soil
  • d: Endangered plants and animals and products made from endangered plants and animals
  • Although it is possible to bring in plants that are not on the import ban list, a plant quarantine certificate will be needed to bring in fruits, vegetables, plants, flowers, or seeds, with some exceptions.
  • With some exceptions, fisheries products, eggs, and other foods derived from animals are not prohibited, but there are some restrictions on species, amount, and processing.
  • There are volume restrictions for most animal-derived food products. If you exceed the maximum allowable quantity, the total amount will be confiscated.
  • There are other conditions and restrictions in addition to the above.

Customs

Bringing in e-cigarettes

There are no special rules for travelers bringing it in for personal use.

For bringing and possession of tax-free cigarettes

  • Tobacco*1 : Either 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 100 cigarillos, or 250 grams of loose tobacco. Only for personal use. A combination of the above is also allowed as long as they are within the limits for amount.
  • Alcoholic drinks*1: One liter of alcoholic drinks alcoholic drinks over 22% alcohol, such as distilled liquor, or 2 liters of alcholic drinks up to 22% alcohol such as sparkling wine. Four liters of still wine. 16 liters of beer.
  • Up to €430 worth of souvenirs, etc. if entering the country by air or sea, or up to €300 worth if entering the country by road or private aircraft. *2
  • *1.Tobacco and alcohol cannot be sold to those under 17.
  • *2.For those under 15, up to an equivalent of 175 Euros for souvenirs and similar goods.
  • Cash equivalents of €10,000 or more being brought into or taken out of the EU must be declared at customs

Time difference and Daylight Saving Time

Time difference

There is an 8-hour time difference between Japan and Belgium. Subtract 8 from the hour in Japan. In other words, 7:00 in Japan is 23:00 on the previous day in Belgium. The time difference is 7 hours during Daylight Saving time.
Daylight Saving time is from 2:00 AM (3:00 AM) on the last Sunday of March until 3:00 AM (2:00 AM) on the last Sunday of October.

Climate

Climate

The climate is relatively comfortable, but the weather is very changeable until late May, and it is probably best to keep a light cardigan with you. From June until August is dry and comfortable. From September and October it becomes increasingly cloudy and there is often drizzling rain. It is not too cold in winter, but the cold is more severe on the inland. It rains lightly throughout the year.

Currency and Exchange Rate, Tax, Currency exchange, Tip

Currency and Exchange Rate

Euro coins with different designs on one side for each country: Photo copyright of the European Central Bank

The currency is the Euro (denoted as €, Euro, or Eur, for short) and the subunit is cents. In French, it is pronounced "oo-ro" and "san-team", and in Dutch "yoo-ro" and "sent." 1 Euro is 100 cents, approx. JPY163 (as of December 6, 2024). The back of the originally designed coins show King Philip.
Banknotes are available in €200, €100, €50, €20, €10, and €5 (currently issued banknotes).
Coins are available in €2, €1, 50 cents, 20 cents, 10 cents, 5 cents, 2 cents, and 1 cent.

Tax

Almost all products require a standard 21% added tax called TVA (in French; called BTW in Dutch). It is 6% for items such as books and foods. However, travelers can receive a refund, less commissions, for items intended for personal use and not for commercial purposes, provided they complete the required procedures and leave the EU by the end of the second month following the month of purchase. (The refund is only available for unused purchases exceeding €125 per receipt that are taken out of the EU.)

Tip

Tips are not generally required because they are included in the cover charge. You may provide a tip when receiving a special service. The following are guidelines. Varies with the class of hotel or restaurant. Many people give a tip to tour guides at the end of a local guided tour in an amount to show gratitude.

  • Taxis: Not generally required as a service charge is included in the fare.& euro;1 to 2 for handling bags.
  • Restaurant: While it depends on the class, tips are not generally required as a service charge is included in the price.
  • Hotels: About €1 to 2 each time for the bellhop or when asking for room service.
  • Restrooms: If there is restroom staff and no specified fee, pay about €1.

Voltage and plug

Voltage

The voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Plugs are generally two-pronged C-type.
A plug adapter is enough for charging cameras or cell phones, but some electronics will also need a transformer. Check the voltage.

Video and DVD

Video and DVD

The TV and video system (PAL) differs from that of Japan (NTSC), so media from Belgium cannot be played on ordinary media players in Japan. If a DVD displays the same region code as Japan (2), then it can be played on a computer equipped with a DVD player, but not on ordinary DVD players.

Blu-ray system

The video format (TV standard) and region code differ between Belgium and Japan, so most standard players designed for use in Japan cannot play discs from Belgium. However, discs can still be played on devices such as PC-installed players or region-free players.

Mail

Mail

The Belgian post office is called bpost. Hours vary by post office, but are usually 9:30 to 17:00 on weekdays. Some are closed at lunchtime, and some open on Saturdays, although only for a short time.

Postal charges

For airmail to Japan, postcards and standard letters up to 50 g both cost €2.88. You can post small parcels and you can buy boxes, etc. for small parcels at post offices.

Phone Call

How to phone

Telephoning Japan from Belgium

STEP1

dial 00 (International telephone identification number)

STEP2

81 (Country Code, Japan )

STEP3

Remove the first 0 for area codes and mobile telephone numbers

STEP4

Other parties telephone number

Telephoning Belgium from Japan

STEP1

Phone carrier identification number

  • 0033 (NTT Communications)
  • 0061 (Softbank)
  • Not required on a mobile phone
STEP2

010 (International phone code)*1

STEP3

32 (Belgium phone code)

STEP4

×× (remove the first "0" from the area code)

STEP5

1234567 (phone number you are calling)

  • *1.On a mobile phone, instead of 010, hold down 0 until + appears, then add the country code and the phone number.
  • *1.Pre-registration to World Call is required for NTT DoCoMo.

Holiday / National holiday

Holiday / National holiday

There are many holidays related to Christianity. Note that dates differ each year for some holidays.

2025

  • January 1: New Year's
  • April 20: Easter*1
  • April 21: Easter Monday*1
  • May 1: May Day
  • May 8: Brussels metropolitan holiday*2
  • May 29: Ascension Day*1
  • June 8: Pentecost*1
  • June 9: Pentecost Monday*1
  • July 11: Day of the Flemish Community (Day of the Battle of Golden Spurs)*2
  • July 21: Belgian National Day
  • August 15: Assumption of Mary
  • September 27: Day of the French Community of Belgium*2
  • November 1: All Saints' Day
  • November 11: Armistice Day (Day of the Battle of Golden Spurs)
  • November 15: Dynasty Day (German-speaking country)*2
  • December 25: Christmas
  • *1.Dates differ each year for some holidays.
  • *2.Holidays that are not public holidays, but are holidays for government offices, public organizations, schools, and similar institutions.

Language

Language

Mostly French and Dutch (Flemish). With Brussels at the center, Dutch is spoken in the north and French in the south (Brussels is a bilingual area). There are also some German-speaking communities.

Business hours, etc

Business hours

Below are guidelines for general business hours. There is a roughly 30 min. to more than 1 hour difference between stores.

Banks

9:00 to 16:00 Monday to Friday (Some close for a one-hour lunch break.)

Department stores and shops

10:00 to 18:00 Mon. to Fri. Some supermarkets open on Sun.

Restaurants

Lunch is from about 12:00 to 14:30 and dinner from about 18:30 to 22:00.

Cafes and brasseries

10:00 to 1:00 in the morning. May vary widely by establishment.

Age Limit

You must be at least 16 for tobacco or alcohol. You must be at least 18 for spirits. Some car rental companies also have age limitations. There are both lower and upper limits, so be sure to check with the company first. You must show your credit card.

Manners

When entering a shop or restaurant, greet the staff or waiter, thank them for their assistance, and say goodbye when leaving. This will greatly change their attitude when assisting you.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in all public facilities. It is also prohibited in restaurants, bars, and cafes, so smokers must be careful when smoking.

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