Travelling to and via Belgium is different

It regularly happens that we do not book a business trip via one of our Dutch airports, but via a Belgian one. This is because it is closer to the client’s office, or because there is a better connection to the desired destination. It is also possible that there is a business meeting in Belgium, where we book the overnight stay for the customer. From now on, you should take into account that travelling to or via Belgium has also been changed by COVID-19.

Code orange

The Dutch government currently applies code orange for the Belgian province of Antwerp, which borders on the Netherlands, and for the Brussels-Capital Region (Brussels Airport is just outside this area). If you return to the Netherlands from the orange area, you are urgently advised to go into home quarantine for 14 days. You do not have to do this if you drove through it on your own without stopping (see also ‘by car through the province of Antwerp’).

In Belgium, a code orange has been in force since 1 August for journeys from various Dutch provinces. Non-essential travellers from these Dutch provinces are advised on arrival in Belgium to be vigilant, to test preventively and to go into self-quarantine.

Longer than 48 hours

Are you staying longer than 48 hours in Belgium for your business trip? Then from now on you are required by the Belgian government to fill in a Passenger Locator Form (PLF). The form must be completed within 48 hours before arrival. Click here to go directly to the form.

Brussels Airport

Also at the Belgian airport it is mandatory to wear a mouth shield. Wear it in all public areas of the airport grounds, including outside the buildings. For example, at the drop-off zone, the pedestrian zone in front of the entrance to the departure hall, the pedestrian zone and the taxi zone in front of the arrival hall, etc.

By car through the province of Antwerp

The Belgian government has set a curfew for the province of Antwerp. Have you decided to travel by car to or through this province? Then you also have to deal with this curfew, which applies from 01.30 to 05.00 hours. However, you can drive through this area to your destination or back to the Netherlands from there during the curfew. But do not stop to rest or refuel in this area.

By international train via Belgium

Please be aware that if you need to get off the international train in, for example, Brussels for security and passport control, you will be in an area with code orange. This means that home quarantine is urgently advised when you return to the Netherlands.

Are you planning a business trip to Belgium or via Belgium in the near future? Then this is different than before and you will have to take various travel restrictions into account. When booking your trip with our Travel Consultants, ask about the possibilities and before you leave, always check the latest update of the Dutch travel advice on Nederland Wereldwijd (in dutch). Because these can change on a daily basis.