Brussels’ police and mobility authorities have published an unusually detailed list of road closures, tunnel shutdowns and parking bans that will come into force on Tuesday 21 July 2026, Belgium’s National Day. The restrictions start as early as 05:00 and will roll out in phases to accommodate the Te Deum service at the Cathedral of Saints-Michael-and-Gudula, a military-civilian parade on Place des Palais, and an evening fireworks show in Parc du Cinquantenaire. Key arteries such as Rue Royale, Rue de la Régence, Boulevard Albert II, the Cinquantenaire, Loi and E40 Reyers tunnels, as well as Place Poelaert and the Stéphanie tunnel exit, will all be intermittently closed, some until 22 July at 18:00. Bicycle parking will be banned inside the perimeter, although a free guarded facility will operate at Place du Trône. For business travellers, expatriates and commuters who normally drive into the EU quarter or the Royal district, the closures mean significant detours or a switch to rail and metro services. International coach operators dropping passengers near Brussels-Midi station have been told to adjust timetables because the Rue de France corridor leading to the city centre will be blocked for most of the day. Deliveries to hotels and offices inside the security perimeter must be completed by 04:00 or postponed. The local transport authority STIB/MIVB is extending metro, tram and bus frequencies (see separate story), but visitors should expect crowded platforms and longer transfer times at Arts-Loi, Schuman and Parc stations. Taxis and ride-hailing services will operate only on designated pick-up zones outside the cordon, adding extra walking time for travellers with luggage. Companies with mobile staff in Brussels are being advised to activate their travel-risk procedures and to brief employees on remote-working options for 21 July. Organisations planning relocation orientation tours or immigration appointments should reschedule, as the Brucity administrative centre will also be closed (see related item). The U.S. and U.K. embassies have both issued traffic advisories urging nationals to keep passports on them in case of spot checks near security barriers. In past National Days, last-minute drivers caused gridlock on the inner ring road; this year, authorities have published the closure map five days earlier and are pushing real-time updates via the Waze for Cities programme. Nevertheless, with up to 100,000 spectators expected for the evening fireworks, travellers should plan for residual congestion well into the early hours of 22 July.
Source: The Brussels Times
