Embassy
Embassy of Belgium, Pretoria
Pretoria
625 Leyds Street
Belgium visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens need a visa for Belgium, from its embassy or consulate.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
BEL
Belgium
Visa needed
A short-visit visa for tourists who cannot enter without one.
- Visa
- Required
- Fee
- €90
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Find Belgium's embassy or consulate that covers where you live.
Prepare the application form, photos, bank statements and travel bookings.
Book an appointment early; processing can take several weeks.
Get your Belgium visa sorted
A visa expert checks the rules and helps you apply. No payment now.
Ways into Belgium
Your passport and other travel papers decide whether you need a visa.
Visa required For your passportTourist C visaA short-visit visa for tourists who cannot enter without one.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- €90
- Processing
- 15–45 days
How to apply
- Apply to Belgium if it is your main destination.
- Follow your embassy's form and document list.
- Submit papers, pay, and give fingerprints if needed.
- Check your visa's dates, stay and entries.
Documents required
- Passport and identity-page copy
- Signed form and recent photo
- Travel and hotel bookings
- Bank statements or sponsor proof
- Travel medical insurance
- Proof of plans to return
- Proof of residence, if needed
- Child consent papers, if needed
- 2 blank pages
- Fingerprints
- Follow your visa's stay allowance: at most 90 days across Schengen in 180 days.
- Insurance must cover emergencies and return home across Schengen, for at least 30000 EUR.
Visa not requiredVisit with Schengen papersAn accepted Schengen residence permit or D visa can replace a visit visa.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check that your permit or D visa is accepted.
- Carry it with your passport while both remain valid.
Documents required
- Valid passport
- Accepted residence permit or D visa
- Stay at most 90 days in 180 outside the country that granted your document.
- This route does not give permission to move to Belgium or work there.
Visa not requiredEuropean citizen entryListed European citizens can enter under the rules for their nationality.
- Fee
- Free
Official pageHow to apply
- Check the entry rules for your nationality.
- Register locally for stays longer than about 90 days.
Sources (46)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Belgian Immigration Office: border-control visa information
- Belgian Foreign Affairs: visa authority, competent missions and representation
- VisaOnWeb: official application-form portal
- Belgian Immigration Office: ETIAS operational-status notice
- European Union: official ETIAS website
- Belgian Immigration Office: short-stay visa and nationality-list index
- Belgian Immigration Office: visa-exempt nationality list
- Belgian Immigration Office: visa-required nationality list
- Belgian Immigration Office: short-stay border-entry conditions
- Belgian Immigration Office: personal financial means
- Belgian Immigration Office: airport-transit visa requirements and fees
- Belgian Immigration Office: airport-transit exemptions
- Belgian Immigration Office: qualifying airport-transit residence permits
- Belgian Immigration Office: residence documents accepted for visa-free travel
- Belgian Immigration Office: visa validity, stay and entries
- Belgian Immigration Office: My Address in Belgium and reporting deadlines
- Belgian missions in the United States: visa overview
- Belgian missions in the United States: airport transit
- Belgian missions in the United States: C visas
- Belgian missions in the United States: D-visa routes and local estimates
- US mission tourism checklist
- US mission family/friend visit checklist
- US mission business checklist
- US mission conference, cultural and sporting checklist
- US mission accredited higher-education checklist
- US mission non-accredited higher-education checklist
- US mission high-school exchange checklist
- US mission single-permit checklist
- US mission work-permit checklist
- US mission professional-card checklist
- US mission Belgian spouse or minor-child checklist
- US mission worker-family checklist
- US mission marriage and legal-cohabitation checklist
- US mission retirement checklist
- Belgian Embassy in the United Kingdom: long stays and July 2026 fee change
- Belgian Embassy in the United Kingdom: airport-transit rules
- Belgian missions in India: application procedure, fees and documents
- India mission business checklist
- India mission student checklist
- Belgian Embassy in Finland: European exemptions and local submission procedure
- Belgian mission in Lebanon: medical-visit checklist
- Belgian Employment Ministry: working-holiday agreements
- Belgian missions in Canada: working-holiday programme
- Belgian Embassy in Australia: working-holiday programme
- Belgian Embassy in South Korea: working-holiday programme
- European Commission: Schengen application rules, fees and processing
Embassies for this trip
Book an appointment before you go.
Consulate general
Consulate General of Belgium, Cape Town
Cape Town
2 Riebeek Straat Foreshore - Cape Town 8001
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs C EAdapter for some
- MoneyEUR €
- Time−1h
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- LanguageGerman
- Emergency101 or 112 police112 ambulance
Planning your Belgium trip
- Grand Place, BrusselsThis historic square is surrounded by guildhouses and a Gothic town hall.
- Atomium, BrusselsThis striking steel landmark remains from the 1958 World's Fair.
- BrugesIts old centre preserves much of its medieval architecture. Popular sights include the 13th-century bell tower.
- GhentSee medieval buildings, the bell tower and the former cloth hall.
Scams to watch for in Belgium
- PickpocketingSomeone takes a wallet, phone or other small item without you noticing. Pickpocketing is common in Brussels. Basic precautions are also advised in Leuven.
- Theft of unattended belongingsAn unattended item is taken while its owner is elsewhere or distracted. Jackets left unattended in Leuven bars are specifically at risk.
- Bicycle theftAn unsecured or poorly locked bicycle is taken. In Leuven, students sometimes take bikes described as being 'borrowed'.
About Belgium
Belgium is a federal constitutional monarchy in Western Europe, with three self-governing regions.
- Capital
- Brussels
- Money
- Euro (€)
- Languages
- German, French, Dutch
- Time zone
- UTC+01:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +32
Other Africa passports
Going to Belgium
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Belgium with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do south african citizens need a visa for Belgium?
South African citizens need a visa for Belgium, from its embassy or consulate.
Where do I apply for a Belgium visa?
At Belgium's embassy or consulate that covers where you live. Book an appointment early, as it can take several weeks.
Does a US, UK or Schengen visa help south african citizens enter Belgium?
We have no record of Belgium relaxing its rules for south african citizens who hold another country's visa. Check with the embassy before you rely on one.
Do belgian citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Belgian citizens do not need a visa for South Africa. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Belgium?
Mauritius and Seychelles can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Belgium are easier for south african citizens?
Kosovo, Russia, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Belgium?
Find Belgium's embassy or consulate that covers where you live. Prepare the application form, photos, bank statements and travel bookings.
What money is used in Belgium?
Euro (€). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Belgium?
German, French and Dutch.
How strong is the South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck