A change in legislation, published in the Belgian Official Journal on January 26, 2020, and effective January 27, 2021, is having substantial consequences for EU/Schengen travel to Belgium. Between January 27, 2021, and March 1, 2021, all non-essential travel was forbidden for all those whose main place of residence is located abroad. The Belgian State Council recently extended the ban until April 1, 2021. This does not change the situation for travel from most third countries, which was already limited to non-essential travel. However, the EU/Schengen travel restriction was new. Third countries are defined as non-EU/non-Schengen countries. The definition of essential travel and the required formalities depend on the country of origin and/or citizenship: Travel from a third country, other than “safe” third countries (currently Australia, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, and Thailand), by a third country national with main residence in the third country (e.g., United States, Canada, India): An overview of essential travels is available at the website of the Belgian federal immigration office (point 2.2., https://dofi.ibz.be/sites/dvzoe/EN/Pages/International%20travels.aspx). An essential travel certificate, issued by the Belgian embassy/consulate with jurisdiction, will in principle be required. Before the traveler boards, the transporter must check whether an essential travel certificate […]
