Embassy/Consulate Addresses | Foreign Relations | Travel Advisories | Travel Tips | Customs/Duties



EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in the US:
Ambassador: Jan Matthysen 
Embassy: 3330 Garfield Street NW., Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: 202-333-6900
Fax: 202-333-3079

US Diplomatic Representation:
Ambassador: Howard Gutman
Embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent, 1000 Brussels
Telephone: (32-2) 508-2111
Fax: (32-2) 511-2725

The European Logistical Support Office (ELSO),
at Noorderlaan 147,
Box 12A, 2030 Antwerp
(tel. 03/542-47-75, fax 03/542-65-67).
Ambassador: Andre ADAM

The U.S. mission to NATO (USNATO) is at:
NATO Headquarters,
Autoroute de Zaventem,
1110 Brussels
(tel. 02/242-52-80, fax 02/242- 06-96).


The U.S. mission to the EU is located at
15 rue Zinner,
1000 Brussels
(tel. 02/508-2222, fax 02/514-4339)

Consulates General are in:
Los Angeles
6100 Wilshire Bl., W., 12th Floor,
Los Angeles, CA 90048.
(213) 857-1244

Atlanta
Peachtree Center, North Tower, 235 Peachtree St., N.E., Suite 850,
Atlanta, GA 30303.
(404) 659-2150

Chicago
333 N. Michigan Av., Room 2000,
Chicago, IL 60601.
(312) 263-6624

New York ITT Building, 1330 Ave Of The Americas, 26th Floor,
New York, NY 10019-5422.
(212) 586-5110

Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Belgium
Embassy of Belgium in Washington DC, U.S.A.
Embassy of the United States of America in Belgium
Permanent Mission of Belgium to the United Nations in New York


FOREIGN RELATIONS

The Concert of Nations sanctioned the creation of Belgium in 1830 on the condition that the country would remain strictly neutral. During the two World Wars, Belgium tried but was unable to follow a policy of neutrality due to the German invasions. In 1948, Belgium signed the Treaty of Brussels with Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, and a year later became one of the founding members of NATO.

Belgium remains a strong proponent of both NATO and European defense efforts. Belgium also is a strong advocate of strengthening economic and political integration within the EU. Having federalized their own country, many Belgians view themselves as the ultimate "European federalists."

Both NATO (since 1966) and the EU have their headquarters in Brussels; SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, NATO's military headquarters) is in the south of the country, near Mons.

Belgium supported the expansion of NATO and EU membership to the new democracies of central and eastern Europe and is actively engaged in the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE) in Europe. Belgium served as the Chair-in-Office of the OSCE in 2006. Belgium sat on the United Nations Security Council during 2007-2008 and served as President of the EU from July 1 to December 31, 2010.


U.S.-BELGIAN RELATIONS

The United States and Belgium are good friends and allies, despite occasional disagreements on a limited number of foreign policy issues. Good will and affection for Americans is widely held as a result of the U.S. role during and after the two World Wars, as was exhibited in 2004 during the 60th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of Belgium. Annual celebrations of liberation are held in many Belgian communities today. The two nations' continuing cooperative relationship marked its 175th anniversary in 2007.

The U.S. appreciates Belgian activism in international affairs, including its participation in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan; its humanitarian, reconstruction, and development assistance to Africa, Iraq, and Afghanistan; its peacekeeping missions in the Balkans and Lebanon; its frequent provision of airlift in international crises; and its hosting of transatlantic dialogues between European foreign ministers and the Secretary of State.

As an outward-looking nation, Belgium works closely with the United States bilaterally and in international and regional organizations to encourage economic and political cooperation and assistance to developing countries. Belgium has welcomed hundreds of U.S. firms to its territory, many of which have their European headquarters there.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials
Ambassador--Howard Gutman
Deputy Chief of Mission--Robert Faucher
Political-Economic Counselor--Richard Eason
Management Counselor--Andrea Nelson
Commercial Counselor--Paul Kullman
Regional Security Officer--Neil MacNeil
Public Affairs Counselor--Tania Chomiak-Salvi
Consul General--David Seckler

The U.S. Embassy in Belgium is located at 27 Boulevard du Régent, 1000 Brussels (tel. 02/501-2111, fax 02/511-2725). The European Logistical Support Office (ELSO) is at Norrderlaan 147, Box 12A, 2030 Antwerp (tel. 03/542-4775, fax 03/542-6567). The Consular section in Brussels is located at 25 Boulevard du Régent.

U.S. Mission to NATO
Permanent U.S. Representative to NATO (USNATO)--Victoria J. Nuland
Deputy Chief of Mission, USNATO--Richard G. Olson

The U.S. Mission to NATO (USNATO) is at NATO Headquarters, on the Autoroute de Zaventem, 1110 Brussels (tel. 02/724-3111, fax 02/726-5796).






TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Belgium check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving U.S Driving Permit accepted
Currency (EUR) Euro
Electrical 230 Volts
Telephones Country Code 32, City Code Brussels 2+7D, Antwerpen 3+7D, Wavre 10+6D



Getting Around
Belgium's rail service is fast and offers frequent connections to the country's main towns and cities. Traveling by car is another option; Belgium boasts an excellent network of roads and highways.

When It's Open
Museums are generally open 6 days a week; many are closed on Monday. Shops are open weekdays and Saturdays, and generally stay open later on Friday. Post offices are open Monday through Friday, and are closed on weekends and public holidays. Belgian banks are usually open from Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. In Luxembourg, banks are open from 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., often with a 1-hour lunch break. Some city banks are also open on Saturdays. Banks are closed on public holidays.

Money
NOTE: This member state of the European Union is participating in the use of the euro common currency. The euro replaced local currency on January 1, 2002. The rate of exchange for cash and travelers cheques is best at banks, but airport and other money exchange bureaus run a close second. ATMs are available in many places. Credit cards are widely accepted and, in many cases, give you a better exchange rate. Have some currency on hand for making small purchases, such as snacks and souvenirs from street vendors.

Value-Added Tax (VAT) is included in prices. It is refundable only if you exceed a required amount. Ask for a refund form and then, before leaving the country, have a customs official stamp it. Then, after your return home, mail it back to the store, and they will reimburse you, though it will take several months.

Tipping
A service charge is included in restaurant and hotel bills. The tip is also included in taxi fares. Railway porters expect to be tipped, as do bellhops, doormen, and washroom attendants in public places.

General Information
There are 3 languages spoken in Belgium: French is spoken in the South; Flemish in the North; and German in the East. Many people speak English as well, especially in Brussels.

Belgium is primarily a Catholic country, with religious traditions continuing to influence many aspects of life.

Electricity is 220 volts; 50Hz. Check out our Travel Store before you go for converter or adapters for hairdryers, electric razors, laptops, etc.

The country telephone code for Belgium is 32; the city code for Brussels is 2.

Belgium is 6 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time in the US.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

European Travellers
Currency......................................no restrictions

Gifts/souvenirs..............................duty free allowance bfr 2000

Cameras......................................no restrictions

Agricuture items...........................refer to consulate

Unpreserved meat products...........prohibited

Other unperserved foodstuff must be declared

Travelleres arriving from european countries with duty-paid goods

Tobacco......................................800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1000 grams of tobacco

Liquor.........................................90 litres of wine (including 60 litres of sparkling wine); 10 litres of spirits; 20 litres of intermediate products (such as fortified wine); 110 litres of beer

Perfume......................................250 grams of perfume liimited

Travellers from non-european countries

Tobacco.....200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco

Liquer....2 litres of still wine; 1 litre of spirits or 8 litres of luxembourg wine (if imported via the luxembourg border)

Perfume....50 grams of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette

Other goods....up to bfr2000



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