Belgium
Travel Destination – Belgium
Belgium offers travellers an appealing blend of culture, history, and modern European lifestyle. From the cobbled streets and canals of Bruges to the cosmopolitan energy of Brussels and the artistic heritage of Antwerp and Ghent, Belgium is compact yet remarkably diverse. Visitors can explore UNESCO-listed architecture, battlefields of historical significance, vibrant food markets, and an extensive rail network that makes regional travel seamless.
As a highly developed Western European nation, Belgium has a modern healthcare system, high sanitation standards, and reliable infrastructure. Nevertheless, international travel still carries health considerations. Careful preparation helps minimise risk and ensures a smooth and enjoyable trip.
Health Risks
Pre-travel preparation
Before travelling to Belgium, arranging a consultation with a travel doctor allows you to have your vaccination history reviewed and to obtain health advice tailored to your itinerary and medical background.
Ideally, this appointment should occur six to eight weeks before departure to allow time for any required vaccinations or booster doses. Even if travel is imminent, a last-minute consultation remains worthwhile to address key protections and discuss practical travel health measures.
Your doctor can provide individualised advice depending on whether you are visiting major cities, travelling during winter influenza season, attending large festivals, exploring rural cycling routes, or combining Belgium with travel to other European destinations. Travellers with chronic medical conditions should ensure adequate medication supplies, carry documentation for prescriptions, and confirm travel insurance covers medical care and repatriation.
Insect avoidance
In Belgium, ticks are present in forested and grassy areas and can transmit infections such as Tick-Borne Encephalitis and Lyme disease. Risk is highest during warmer months and in rural or wooded environments.
Travellers walking, hiking, or cycling through parks, forests, or countryside areas should wear long sleeves and pants where practical, use insect repellent containing DEET or picaridin, and perform thorough tick checks after outdoor activities. Prompt removal of ticks reduces the likelihood of infection.
Food and water hygiene
Belgium is renowned for its rich culinary traditions, including world-famous chocolates, waffles, fries, and a diverse range of regional beers and hearty European dishes. Belgium maintains high food safety and water treatment standards, and tap water is safe to drink throughout the country. The risk of gastroenteritis is low compared with many global destinations. However, gastrointestinal illness can still occur, particularly with buffet-style dining, raw foods, or close contact in crowded settings.
Practising regular hand hygiene before meals and after public transport use helps reduce risk. Choose food that is freshly prepared and served at appropriate temperatures.
Our Travel Doctors
Our fully qualified doctors have an interest in travel medicine and immunisations. And they know travel. Their expert advice will be tailored for you, your travel companions and your trip.
Which shots do I need for Belgium?
Measles
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Measles is a highly contagious viral illness spread through respiratory droplets and can cause fever, cough, rash, and serious complications such as pneumonia or inflammation of the brain. Outbreaks continue to occur in parts of Europe, including Belgium. Travellers born during or after 1966 should have received two documented doses of a measles-containing vaccine. Ensuring full immunisation is particularly important when visiting crowded areas including tourist attractions and public transport.
Influenza
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Influenza is a contagious respiratory viral infection that causes fever, cough, body aches, and fatigue, and can lead to severe complications in vulnerable individuals. Influenza circulates seasonally in Belgium, typically peaking during the European winter months. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for travellers aged six months and older, particularly older adults, pregnant women, and those with chronic medical conditions.
COVID-19
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COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that spreads primarily through respiratory droplets and close contact, with symptoms ranging from mild upper respiratory illness to severe pneumonia. COVID-19 continues to circulate globally, including in Belgium, with periodic increases in transmission.
Travellers should be up to date with COVID-19 vaccination in accordance with the Australian Immunisation Handbook. This includes six-monthly booster doses for adults aged 75 years and older, and annual boosters for those aged 65 to 74 years. Individuals with certain underlying medical conditions may also require additional booster doses. A travel doctor can provide personalised guidance.
Routine vaccinations
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Routine immunisations remain the foundation of travel health protection. Before travelling to Belgium, ensure vaccinations such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and polio are up to date. Although Belgium has strong vaccination programs, outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases still occur, with international travel increasing risk
In addition, hepatitis B vaccination may be recommended for some travellers, depending on length of stay, planned activities, occupational exposure and other risk factors. A travel consultation can confirm whether booster doses or additional vaccines are required based on age, medical history, and time since previous vaccination.
Belgium
Other health risks in the USA
Gastroenteritis
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Although food and water standards are high in Belgium, gastroenteritis can still occur through food contaminated with bacteria, or through viral outbreaks. Symptoms typically develop within one to three days of exposure and may include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and sometimes fever or fatigue.
Most cases are mild and resolve within a few days without specific treatment, but maintaining adequate hydration with fluids or oral rehydration solutions is essential, especially for children, older adults, and those with underlying health conditions. Medical care should be sought if symptoms are atypical or persistent.
Lyme disease
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Lyme disease is present in Belgium, particularly in wooded and rural regions. The infection is transmitted by ticks and is more common from spring through early autumn. Early symptoms may include fever, headache, fatigue, and an expanding rash. Without treatment, infection can affect joints, the nervous system, and the heart. Prevention focuses on tick avoidance, protective clothing, and careful skin checks after outdoor exposure. Early medical treatment with antibiotics is highly effective.
Non-infectious conditions
Crime and unrest
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Belgium is generally considered a safe travel destination, with crime levels lower than in many global regions. However, petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching can occur in tourist areas, train stations, and on public transport, particularly in Brussels and Antwerp. Travellers should remain aware of their surroundings, secure valuables, and avoid displaying expensive items. Demonstrations can occur and may cause temporary disruption. Avoid protests and follow advice from local authorities.
Monitor the Australian government's Smartraveller website for safety updates before and during travel.
Deep vein thrombosis
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For many Australians, travel to Belgium involves long-haul flights, which increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is a condition in which prolonged immobility slows blood flow, causing blood clots to form in the deep veins, usually in the legs.
To reduce risk, move regularly during the flight, perform seated leg exercises, remain well hydrated, and avoid excessive alcohol intake. Travellers with additional risk factors may benefit from medical assessment prior to departure and the use of compression stockings.