As the summer holiday season approaches, the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided essential pre-travel advice to ensure Belgians are fully prepared.
"We notice a lack of preparation amongst some Belgians headed abroad," noted the ministry. "We urge them to get adequately ready to ensure the best possible consular support when necessary."
To help solve this issue, the Minsitry of Foreign Affairs issued six key tips for summer holidaymakers.
Firstly, it recommends travellers consult the advisory information on its website. "For instance, travelling to Lebanon and other regions is currently discouraged and consular services cannot intervene in such cases," it stressed.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges holidaymakers to register on the website before travelling.
"Only a few tens of thousands register each year. Many assume the database isn’t secure, but this is incorrect," the service added. This tool has proven extraordinarily effective in situations like the wildfires in Greece in July 2023.
Next come the traditional tips. Holidaymakers must ensure they have all necessary documents, up-to-date vaccinations, a travel insurance policy, and crucial phone numbers on hand — “in your wallet and suitcase”.
“It’s important for Belgians to understand their travel obligations. Our aim is to ensure they travel safely,” the FPS Foreign Affairs underlined.
All this guidance can be found on the website https://diplomatie.belgium.be/fr. However, it’s worth noting that the tools are only available in French and Dutch, not German.
