The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) revised its Belgium travel advisory on 7 May 2026, warning British nationals of “severe disruption” to public transport and other services during the planned general strike on 12 May. The notice highlights likely cancellations of domestic and international rail services, possible road-block protests in central Brussels and the prospect of baggage-handling delays at major airports. Travellers are urged to monitor local media, allow extra time for journeys and check with operators before departure.
![UK updates Belgium travel advice ahead of 12 May strike]()
Whether you need to confirm that your passport still meets Schengen validity requirements or arrange a last-minute visa, VisaHQ can streamline the paperwork and provide real-time guidance through its Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/), keeping travellers compliant even when strikes threaten to disrupt schedules.
While the FCDO rarely comments on industrial disputes in EU partner countries, officials say the breadth of the planned action—spanning rail, air, health and refuse services—merited an early alert. The advisory also reminds visitors that large-scale demonstrations can turn confrontational and that police may use water cannon to maintain order. Corporate mobility teams should ensure that duty-of-care tracking systems capture locally hired staff as well as expatriates, as urban commutes could be heavily affected. UK insurers confirm that strike-related delays are generally not covered under standard travel-policy wording unless a “civil commotion” clause is triggered.
Whether you need to confirm that your passport still meets Schengen validity requirements or arrange a last-minute visa, VisaHQ can streamline the paperwork and provide real-time guidance through its Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/), keeping travellers compliant even when strikes threaten to disrupt schedules.
While the FCDO rarely comments on industrial disputes in EU partner countries, officials say the breadth of the planned action—spanning rail, air, health and refuse services—merited an early alert. The advisory also reminds visitors that large-scale demonstrations can turn confrontational and that police may use water cannon to maintain order. Corporate mobility teams should ensure that duty-of-care tracking systems capture locally hired staff as well as expatriates, as urban commutes could be heavily affected. UK insurers confirm that strike-related delays are generally not covered under standard travel-policy wording unless a “civil commotion” clause is triggered.
