Do Andorra Citizens Need a Visa for Belgium?

Schengen Area Regulations

As a member of the Schengen Area, Belgium allows visa-exempt nationals to stay for up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period for tourism, business, or family visits. This 90-day allowance is shared across all Schengen member states. To calculate your remaining stay, you must count back 180 days from the current date and ensure your total stay in the region does not exceed 90 days.

Passport Validity

Your travel document must meet the following criteria to be accepted for entry:

• Validity: It must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended date of departure from the Schengen Area.
• Issue Date: It must have been issued within the previous 10 years.
• Blank Pages: Your passport should have at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamps.

Mandatory Documents

Upon arrival, border authorities may request proof of the following:

• Sufficient financial means for the duration of your stay.
• Proof of accommodation (hotel reservation or invitation letter).
• A return or onward flight ticket.
• Valid travel medical insurance covering all Schengen countries.

Short-Stay Visa (Type C / Schengen Visa)

This visa is for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It is intended for tourism, family or friend visits, business trips, cultural or sporting events, and short-term training or internships. A Schengen visa issued by Belgium allows for travel across all member states within its validity period.

Long-Stay Visa (Type D / National Visa)

This visa is required for stays exceeding 90 days. It is the necessary first step for individuals planning to settle in Belgium for work, study, or family reunification. Once in Belgium, holders of a Type D visa must register with their local commune to obtain a residence permit.

Airport Transit Visa (Type A)

Citizens of certain countries must have an airport transit visa to pass through the international zone of a Belgian airport without entering the country. This visa does not permit entry into the Schengen Area or any member state's territory.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Identify Your Visa Type: Determine which visa you require based on your purpose and duration of stay.
2. Complete the Online Form: Create an account and fill out your application on the official Visa On Web portal.
3. Submit Your Application: Once completed, you will receive a copy of your application form via email. Print and sign it.
4. Gather Required Documents: Prepare all necessary supporting documents, including your passport, photographs, proof of funds, and insurance.
5. Schedule an Appointment: Book an appointment at the Belgian embassy, consulate, or authorized service provider (such as VFS Global or TLScontact) in your country of residence.
6. Attend Your Appointment: Submit your application in person, provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo), and pay the required fees.
7. Track Your Application: You can monitor the progress of your application through the portal or the service provider's website.

Short-Stay Visas (Type C)

Applications for a Schengen visa are typically processed within 15 calendar days from the date of submission. However, this period can be extended to 45 calendar days if further examination of the application is needed. It is recommended to apply at least 15 days, and no more than 6 months, before your intended date of travel.

Long-Stay Visas (Type D)

Processing times for long-stay visas vary significantly depending on the purpose of stay (e.g., work, study, family reunification) and the volume of applications at the Immigration Office. While some applications may be processed in a few weeks, others, such as complex family reunification cases, can take several months. It is advisable to submit your application well in advance of your planned departure date.

Common Grounds for Denial

A visa application may be refused for several reasons, including:

• Providing false or forged travel documents.
• Insufficient justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay.
• Failure to provide proof of sufficient financial means for the stay and return.
• Lack of valid travel medical insurance.
• The applicant being considered a threat to public policy, internal security, or public health.
• A previous overstay in the Schengen Area.

Appeals Process

If your visa application is denied, you will receive a written notice explaining the reasons for the refusal. You have the right to appeal the decision before the Council for Alien Law Litigation (CALL) / Conseil du Contentieux des Etrangers (CCE) in Brussels. The appeal must be submitted in one of the official languages of Belgium (Dutch, French, or German) within 30 days of the notification of refusal. It is often recommended to seek legal assistance for the appeals process.

Mandatory Registration (Commune)

• Short-Stay (Type C): All foreigners staying in private accommodation must report to the local municipal administration (the "commune") of their place of residence within 3 working days of arrival. This registration is generally not required for those staying in hotels or other commercial accommodations.
• Long-Stay (Type D): Foreigners intending to stay longer than 90 days must register with the commune within 8 working days of their arrival in Belgium. This registration initiates the process for obtaining a residence permit.

Identification and Conduct

• It is mandatory for everyone in Belgium, including visitors, to carry a valid form of identification (e.g., passport or national ID card) at all times.
• Overstaying your visa is a serious offense and can lead to fines, deportation, and a re-entry ban to the Schengen Area.
• You must adhere to the conditions of your visa (e.g., restricted activities for certain visa types).

Travel Medical Insurance

A valid travel medical insurance policy is a mandatory requirement for all Schengen visa applicants. The policy must cover:

• A minimum of €30,000 for medical expenses and repatriation for health reasons or death.
• The entire duration of the stay.
• All member states of the Schengen Area.

Vaccinations

• There are no mandatory vaccinations for entry into Belgium, except for a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travelers arriving from, or who have recently transited through, a yellow fever endemic zone.
• It is generally recommended that travelers are up-to-date on routine vaccinations (e.g., Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis).

Medical Services

Belgium has a high-quality healthcare system. Foreigners with a residence permit must enroll in a Belgian health insurance fund (a "mutuelle"). Short-stay visitors should ensure their travel insurance provides adequate coverage for any medical needs.

Short-Stay Visitors (Type C)

Travelers must prove they have sufficient financial means to support themselves during their stay and for their return or onward travel.

• Hotel Stays: Approximately €95 per day per person.
• Staying with Friends or Family: Approximately €45 per day per person.

Sponsorship (Annex 3bis)

If you cannot demonstrate sufficient personal financial means, a Belgian citizen or a resident with a permanent residence permit can act as a sponsor (a "garant"). This involves the sponsor signing an official document (Annex 3bis / Annexe 3bis) at their local commune, which must then be legalized. This document signifies the sponsor's legal commitment to cover the costs of the visitor's stay, medical care, and repatriation for two years.

Student Visa (Type D)

For the 2026 academic year, international students must prove a minimum net monthly income of €1,062 (approx. $1,145 USD) for the duration of their studies. This can be demonstrated through a scholarship, a personal bank account with the required total amount (approx. €12,744 for a full year), or a formal sponsorship by a Belgian or foreign national.

Working Holiday Visa (WHV)

Belgium offers a reciprocal Working Holiday Visa (WHV) for young adults aged 18 to 30 from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, and Taiwan. This visa allows for a 12-month stay for tourism and work. Applicants must demonstrate proof of at least €2,500 (approx. $2,700 USD) in savings, have comprehensive health insurance, and have a clean criminal record.

Professional Card (Carte Professionnelle)

For non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who want to work as freelancers, entrepreneurs, or digital nomads in Belgium, the Professional Card is the primary legal pathway for stays longer than 90 days.

• Utility and Innovation: Applicants must demonstrate the "economic utility" of their self-employed activity to Belgium, which can include innovation, job creation, or other beneficial economic impacts.
• Business Plan: A detailed business plan explaining the proposed activity is required.
• Fees: Approximately €140 (approx. $150 USD) for the application and €90 (approx. $97 USD) per year of validity.
• Process: The application for a professional card is typically submitted alongside the Type D visa application at the Belgian embassy or consulate.

Alcohol and Tobacco Limits (Non-EU)

Travelers from outside the EU (17 years or older) are allowed to bring the following duty-free for personal use:

• Alcohol: 1 liter of spirits (over 22%) OR 2 liters of fortified or sparkling wine (under 22%), PLUS 4 liters of still wine AND 16 liters of beer.
• Tobacco: 200 cigarettes OR 100 cigarillos OR 50 cigars OR 250g of tobacco.

Alcohol and Tobacco Limits (EU)

Travelers from within the EU are subject to higher indicative limits for personal use:

• Alcohol: 10 liters of spirits, 20 liters of fortified wine, 90 liters of wine (including max. 60 liters of sparkling wine), and 110 liters of beer.
• Tobacco: 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars, and 1kg of tobacco.

Cash Declaration

Travelers entering or leaving the European Union with €10,000 (approx. $10,780 USD) or more in cash (or equivalent in other currencies, travelers' checks, etc.) must declare it to the customs authorities. This is a mandatory requirement aimed at combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

Visa Fee Changes (2026)

As of early 2026, Belgium has updated its visa handling fees and administrative contributions for all visa types. The short-stay Schengen visa fee for adults (12+ years) has increased to €90 (approx. $97 USD), and for children aged 6 to 12 years, it has increased to €45 (approx. $48 USD). For long-stay (Type D) visas, the standard consular fee has increased to €180 (approx. $194 USD).

Student Financial Requirements (2026-2027)

The minimum monthly financial requirement for international students applying for a Type D visa has significantly increased for the 2026 academic year. Students must now demonstrate proof of at least €1,062 (approx. $1,145 USD) net per month for the duration of their stay.

The following official sources provide the most accurate and up-to-date information for Belgium visa and residency requirements.

• FPS Foreign Affairs - Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation
• Belgian Immigration Office (IBZ) - Official Residence and Visa Portal
• Belgium.be - Official Information and Services for Belgium
• Visa on Web - Official Belgian Visa Application Portal

Information compiled from official government portals as of April 11, 2026.