ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required.  A visa is not required of American citizens for business or tourist stays of up to 90 days.  That 90-day period begins when you enter any of the "Schengen group" countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.  For further information concerning entry requirements, contact the Embassy of Belgium at 3330 Garfield St. NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 333-6900; or one of the Belgian Consulates General in Atlanta, Los Angeles, or New York.  The website of the Belgian Embassy in the United States can be found at http://www.diplobel.org/usa.

Belgian law requires that everyone carry some form of official identification at all times, which must be displayed upon request to any Belgian police official.  A U.S. passport suffices for these purposes.

Note: Although European Union regulations require that non-EU visitors obtain a stamp in their passport upon initial entry to a Schengen country, many borders are not staffed with officers carrying out this function. If an American citizen wishes to ensure that his or her entry is properly documented, it may be necessary to request a stamp at an official point of entry. Under local law, travelers without a stamp in their passport may be questioned and asked to document the length of their stay in Schengen countries at the time of departure or at any other point during their visit, and could face possible fines or other repercussions if unable to do so.

MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION:  Good medical facilities with modern diagnostic equipment and well-trained physicians are widely available in Belgium.  The large university hospitals can provide adequate care for complex medical problems.  Hospitals in Brussels and Flemish-speaking Flanders will probably have English-speaking staff; however, hospitals in French-speaking Wallonia may not have staff members who are fluent in English.  The Embassy Consular Section maintains a list of English-speaking doctors, which can be found on the Embassy website at http://brussels.usembassy.gov/medical_facilities.html.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747)

MEDICAL INSURANCE:  The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.

REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Belgium are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department website, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Belgium.   Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.  The U.S. Embassy in Brussels is located at 25 Boulevard du Regent. The telephone number from the U.S. is 011-32-2-508-2111.  Within Belgium, the telephone number is 02-508-2111.  The Embassy’s fax number is 02-511-2725.  The Consular Section’s fax number is 02-513-0409.  The American Citizen Services Unit of the Consular Section is open from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for American and Belgian holidays.  Further information can be obtained at the Embassy’s website at: http://brussels.usembassy.gov.