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Country Commercial Guides FY 2000: Belgium Report prepared by U.S. Embassy Brussels, released July 1999 Note*

CHAPTER IX. BUSINESS TRAVEL

Business Customs

Business Hours

Government offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am - 12 pm and from 2 pm - 4:30 pm. Banks are open Monday through Friday from 9 am - 12 pm and from 2 pm - 4:00 pm. Private companies are generally open from 8:30 am - 4 pm while shops and stores open at 9 am and close at 6 pm.

Languages

Belgium has three national languages: Dutch (sometimes referred to as Flemish), French, and German. English is also frequently understood throughout Belgium. In Flanders, the northern region of Belgium, Dutch is the predominant language. While in Wallonia, the southern region, most people speak French. Residents in a small section of Belgium near Germany speak German as their primary language. Brussels, the center region, is officially bilingual, speaking both Dutch and French.

As in any other country, language is a crucial part of doing business in Belgium. Many documents must be filed in at least one of the three national languages. It would benefit companies to have personnel who speak one of the languages, or to seek the help of a professional translator.

Travel Regulations

Provided that their stay does not exceed three months, nationals of the following countries do not require a visa: Western Europe, East European countries, North America, Central and Latin America (with the exception of Columbia, Bolivia, Peru, Guinea, Surinam and Guinea-Bissau), Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Brunei and a number of African countries except for Burkina Faso, Niger, Togo and Ivory Coast. Visitors of these countries must, however, be in possession of a valid national passport.

Travel Advisory and Visas

Visas are not required for U.S. citizens traveling in Belgium for less than 90 days. Because of Belgium's persistent unemployment rate (10 percent) resident visas are difficult to obtain for non-EU citizens. To obtain a residence visa, it is necessary to have a working permit, which in turn is difficult to obtain. Working permits are limited to managerial positions in foreign owned companies and for people with special skills not available in Belgium. It usually takes eight to twelve months to obtain a working permit and 18 months to obtain a professional card. Specialized lawyers situated in Belgium can assist in the process. Americans looking for jobs in Belgium are almost never issued working permits.

Belgium remains a relatively safe country and anti-American sentiment is rare. By taking reasonable precautions, visitors should enjoy a peaceful stay. However, street thefts, purse snatching and pick pocketing are occurring more frequently. The emergency numbers for the police and medical assistance are 101 and 100 respectively and for cellular phones (locally) 112. Visitors to Belgium requiring additional information should contact the Brussels Regional Security Office 32/2/508-2370.

Currency and Credit Cards

The Belgian franc is the local currency. Most hotels and restaurants take credit and charge cards (American Express, Eurocard/MasterCard, Diners Club, Visa etc.).

Voltage:

220/380 volts AC 50 three-phase current

Belgian Holidays - 2000:

January 1		New Year

April 24		Easter Monday 

May 1			Belgian Labor Day

June 1			Ascension Day

June 11			Whit Monday

July 21			Belgian Independence Day 

August 15 		Assumption Day

November 1 		All Saints Day

November 11		Veterans Day

December 25		Christmas

Business Infrastructure

Public transportation is readily available and Belgium has excellent communications links with the rest of the world. Belgium is also home to an extraordinary rich media offering the broadest selection of television channels in Europe. TV viewers currently have access to programs broadcast from 7 different countries in Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian. CNN is also available on cable. The country is blessed with an intense and varied cultural life and is highly regarded for its acceptance of foreign goods and persons, and its overall life style and family-oriented values system. For further information contact the Belgian Tourist Office, rue Marché aux Herbes 61, B-1000 Brussels. Tel: 32/2/504-02-00 Fax: 32/2/513-88-02 or consult the following websites: http://www.belganews.be/belganews; http://belgium.fgov.