 Belgium : Formalities
As a member of the European Union, EU regulations apply. As a result of the implementation of the Schengen Agreement, of which Belgium is a signatory, boats having on board nationals of EU countries which are not signatories of the Schengen Agreement, such as the UK, must clear immigration at the point of entry into Belgium.
Visiting yachts must report to Maritime Police Control at a port of entry, and submit a completed form, which can be obtained in advance.
Yachts are normally boarded on arrival by the maritime police (immigration) and customs and the required documents checked.
Visitors must have a passport valid at least three months beyond their proposed departure date.
Visas are not required for EU citizens for stays up to 3 months.
Belgium is a member of the Schengen Agreement Area. See Noonsite' Schengen page for more details on the immigration rules.
Last updated October 2008.
No licence is required for the importation of hunting and sporting firearms, but these should be licensed in one's own country. Two sporting guns, with a maximum of 100 cartridges per gun, can be temporarily imported duty-free. These must be declared to customs on arrival for inspection.
Foreign yachts remaining more than two months in Belgium must obtain a registration plate, as all Belgian yachts have, and pay navigation dues. Further details can be obtained from the Bureau de Perception des Droits de Navigation. The registration plate allows a vessel to stop on navigable waterways or to use their tributaries.
EU regulations apply concerning temporary importation. See EU VAT page for more information.
Last updated October 2008.
Yachts must carry their original registration document, insurance policy and ship's radio licence. One member of the crew must have a radio operator’s certificate of competence. For EU boats, proof of VAT status is also required. A copy of International ColRegs must also be carried and the current tide tables for the area.
On inland waterways, if a boat is over 15m or capable of more than 11 knots, then the skipper must have an International Certificate of Competence (ICC) endorsed for inland waterways.
The yacht must be equiped with adequate safety equipment including:- coloured rockets, safety harnesses, compass, lifejackets, fire extinquishers, first aid kit, navigation lights, bilge pump, anchor, tools for the engine.
The name and home port must be clearly marked on the stern.
Navigation: When motorsailing, a black cone with its apex down must be hoisted in the rigging. Port entry signals must be obeyed, due to the very heavy shipping traffic in and out of ports.
Inland waterways: Navigation is freely allowed on the Belgian waterways, although there are regulations one should be aware of. There are maximum speed limits on many of the canals and rivers. Vessels must not sail within 60 ft (20 m) of the banks of the River Meuse and the Ghent-Terneuzen canal, and within 25 ft (8 m) on the Lys and the Brussels - Charleroi canal. Full details of the regulations can be obtained in the booklet "Dispositions reglementant la police et la navigation", available from the offices at the locks. Information is also obtainable from the Ministère des Travaux Publics.
Foreign yachts arriving in Belgium by one of the canals must report to the first navigation tax office, to complete an entry declaration. On departure an exit declaration must also be signed at a navigation tax office. These offices are situated at the locks.
PET REGULATIONS - PETS (Pets Travel Scheme) is operated in Belgium requiring pets to have pet passport, current Health Certificate and current Rabies Vaccination Certificate, be microchipped and blood tests to have been taken by recognised Veterinarian prior to import.
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