Brussels Airport warns travellers of near-total shutdown during 12 March general strike
Germany extends border checks with Belgium for six more months, testing Schengen rules
Belgian coast records 25 % drop in February-holiday overnight stays, worrying hoteliers
Latest News
Belgium multiplies citizenship fee and tightens family-reunification rules
Effective 20 February Belgium raised the nationality application fee from €150 to €1,000 and introduced tougher income, age and waiting-time rules for family-reunification visas. Wallonia simultaneously lengthened and tweaked its compulsory integration programme. The measures aim to make access to citizenship more “responsible” but will increase costs for migrants and employers and could slow talent retention.
Brussels Airport urges travellers to rebook as 12 March general strike threatens total shutdown
A 24-hour general strike announced for 12 March is expected to shut down almost all departures from Brussels Airport and severely slow arrivals. Airlines are issuing fee-free rebooking options and travel managers are advised to move trips off the strike date, monitor EU261 rights and prepare for multi-day knock-on effects.
EU lets Schengen states – including Belgium – pause EES biometrics to ease summer queues
The European Commission will allow Schengen countries to pause biometric data collection under the new Entry/Exit System for up to six hours a day during peak periods. Belgium can use the measure at Brussels Airport to prevent holiday-season gridlock while it finalises staffing and e-gate installations.
Foreign Affairs confirms 505 Belgians detained abroad, straining consular resources
Belgium now tracks 505 of its citizens in prisons abroad, up from 489 in August 2025, according to new Foreign Affairs data. The rise is stretching consular workloads and underscores the importance of robust duty-of-care protocols for Belgian business travellers and expatriates.