Visa guide · updated October 2026Do Indians need a visa for Belgium?
Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa to visit Belgium. Applications are submitted through VFS Global visa application centres in India.
Belgium visa options for Indians
| Option | Who it is for | Stay and validity | Official fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-stay visa (type C) | Tourism, business and family visits | Up to 90 days in any 180 days | €90; €45 for children aged 6 to 12; free under 6 |
| Long-stay visa (type D) | Study, work and family reunion | More than 90 days | €250; an additional contribution applies to some applications |
Belgium visa fees
| Option | Official fee |
|---|---|
| Short-stay visa (type C) | €90; €45 for children aged 6 to 12; free under 6 |
| Long-stay visa (type D) | €250; an additional contribution applies to some applications |
In addition, every applicant pays a VFS service fee of ₹2,750 (including taxes), even when exempt from the visa fee. Visa fees are converted to rupees at the rate set by the Embassy of Belgium in New Delhi and are non-refundable.
Documents required
Official sources do not give a full list for every case; these are the documents applicants are normally asked for. Confirm the exact list when you apply.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months, with blank pages
- Completed visa application form
- Recent passport-size photographs
- Confirmed return or onward ticket
- Hotel booking or address of stay
- Recent bank statements showing funds for the trip
- Travel medical insurance valid for the Schengen area
How to apply
Fill in the visa application form online and print it.
Book an appointment at the VFS Global centre you selected.
Attend in person with your documents, and pay the visa fee and the VFS service fee.
Track your application on the VFS website.
Processing time
The embassy page gives no fixed timeline. Under Schengen rules a decision normally takes up to 15 calendar days and can take up to 45 days in individual cases.
Best Time to Visit Belgium
Belgium has a temperate maritime climate with mild summers and cool winters. The country offers year-round appeal:
- Spring (April to June): The most beautiful season with blooming flowers, especially at the Keukenhof Gardens and the Grand Place flower carpet in Brussels (August in even-numbered years). Temperatures range from 10-22C.
- Summer (July to August): Warm and pleasant at 20-28C. Peak tourist season with outdoor festivals, including Tomorrowland (electronic music festival) and the Ghent Festival. Longer daylight hours for sightseeing.
- Autumn (September to October): Mild temperatures of 12-20C with colorful foliage in the Ardennes forest. Excellent for beer and chocolate tasting tours. Fewer tourists than summer.
- Winter (November to March): Cold at 2-8C with frequent rain. Christmas markets in Brussels, Bruges, and Ghent are magical. The Belgian carnival season (including Binche Carnival, UNESCO heritage) takes place in February-March.
Travel Tips for Belgium
Make the most of your Belgian adventure with these expert tips:
- Currency: Euro (EUR) is the currency. Credit cards are widely accepted in cities, but cash is preferred in smaller shops, cafes, and markets. ATMs are plentiful.
- Transportation: Brussels Airport (BRU) and Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) are the main gateways. The Belgian rail network (SNCB/NMBS) is excellent — Brussels to Bruges takes just 1 hour. The Brussels Metro and trams are efficient for city travel.
- Language: Belgium has three official languages — Dutch (Flemish) in Flanders, French in Wallonia, and German in the east. Brussels is bilingual (French/Dutch). English is widely spoken in tourist areas and by younger people.
- Chocolate and Beer: Belgium is world-famous for its chocolate (Neuhaus, Godiva, Leonidas) and beer (over 1,500 varieties). Visit a chocolate workshop and a traditional brewery. Trappist beers from monasteries like Westvleteren are highly sought after.
- Cuisine: Must-try dishes include Moules-Frites (mussels with fries), Stoofvlees (beef stew with beer), Belgian waffles (Brussels and Lige styles), and Frites with mayonnaise. Belgian fries are a national institution.
- Attractions: Don't miss the Grand Place in Brussels, the canals of Bruges (Venice of the North), the Ghent Altarpiece, the Atomium, and the battlefields of Waterloo and Ypres.
Visa application centres in India
VFS Global accepts Belgium visa applications at 14 centres in India. Check which centre covers your state before you book.
Visa application centres
- Ahmedabad
- Bengaluru
- Chandigarh
- Chennai
- Cochin
- Goa
- Hyderabad
- Jalandhar
- Kolkata
- Lucknow
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- Puducherry
- Pune
AhmedabadBengaluruChandigarhChennaiCochinGoaHyderabadJalandharKolkataLucknowMumbaiNew DelhiPuducherryPuneCentre list from VFS Global, checked on 26 October 2026. Centres open and close, so confirm before you travel to one.
Popular places to visit in Belgium
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Brussels by Horst J. Meuter, CC BY-SA 4.0; Bruges by Jean-Christophe BENOIST, CC BY 2.5; Ghent by unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0; Antwerp by LBM1948, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Frequently asked questions
Indian passport holders need a Schengen visa to visit Belgium. Applications are submitted through VFS Global visa application centres in India.
Short-stay visa (type C): €90; €45 for children aged 6 to 12; free under 6. Long-stay visa (type D): €250; an additional contribution applies to some applications. In addition, every applicant pays a VFS service fee of ₹2,750 (including taxes), even when exempt from the visa fee. Visa fees are converted to rupees at the rate set by the Embassy of Belgium in New Delhi and are non-refundable.
The embassy page gives no fixed timeline. Under Schengen rules a decision normally takes up to 15 calendar days and can take up to 45 days in individual cases.
Fill in the visa application form online and print it. Book an appointment at the VFS Global centre you selected. Attend in person with your documents, and pay the visa fee and the VFS service fee. Track your application on the VFS website.
From the official sources listed at the end of this page, checked on 26 October 2026. Visa rules and fees change, so confirm them on the official site before you apply.
Official sources
The visa facts on this page come from these official pages, checked on 26 October 2026. Rules and fees can change, so confirm them before you apply.
- Embassy of Belgium in India: visa for Belgium if you live in India
- VFS Global: Belgium visa information for India