EU grants Belgium and eight other states extra time to roll out EES biometric border checks
Belgium seeks extra time as nine EU countries delay full roll-out of Entry/Exit System
Belgian Immigration Office launches in-house escort corps for forced returns
Latest News
EES delay gives Belgian corporate travellers breathing space—but uncertainty remains
A specialist business-travel analysis warns Belgian corporates that the EU’s 14 September EES reprieve reduces immediate queues but creates months of inconsistent border procedures. Travel planners should add buffer time, monitor each gateway’s status and review data-protection obligations.
Netherlands extends border checks with Belgium until 30 September; Germany to follow
Schengen notifications released on 14 September show the Netherlands prolonging internal border checks with Belgium to 30 September, while Germany will reintroduce controls from 16 September. The measures mean document checks and delays for Belgian commuters and freight operators.
Belgium sets new record for deportations of criminals without residence permits
Belgium deported 1,239 criminals without valid residence rights in the first eight months of 2026, beating its previous annual record. Stronger justice-migration coordination and new return deals drove the increase, signalling a tougher stance on irregular stay that business travellers should note.
Netherlands extends border checks on Belgian frontier until 30 September
The Netherlands has prolonged border checks on its frontier with Belgium until 30 September 2026, affecting road, rail and coach traffic. Belgian businesses face minor delays and must remind non-EU staff to carry residence documents to avoid on-the-spot fines.
Air-traffic-controller strike threat looms at Brussels South Charleroi Airport
Air-traffic controllers at Skeyes have filed a new strike notice, prompting Brussels South Charleroi Airport to alert passengers and airlines on 14 September. Potential walkouts threaten low-cost flights and regional employment, and could ripple across Belgian and neighbouring airspace.
EU Visa Working Party meets in Brussels to debate Schengen fee hike and waiver benchmarks
EU member states gathered in Brussels on 14 September to examine a proposal to raise the standard Schengen visa fee to €95 and to set performance benchmarks for visa-waiver countries. The decisions, once adopted, will affect cost forecasting and itinerary planning for Belgian-based multinationals.
Air-traffic-controller strike threat looms at Brussels South Charleroi Airport
A strike notice filed by Belgian air-traffic-control staff threatens to disrupt flights at Charleroi Airport, Ryanair’s second-largest continental hub. Companies using CRL should prepare contingency routings and alert travelling employees.
EU Visa Working Party meets in Brussels to weigh hike in Schengen-visa fees
Belgian-hosted EU talks on 14 September considered raising Schengen visa fees to €90 and tightening waiver rules. Any increase would raise compliance costs for Belgian firms that invite non-EU partners for short assignments.
Statbel: Belgians made 5.3 million overnight trips in Q1 2026, led by France
Official statistics published on 14 September show 5.3 million Belgian overnight trips in Q1 2026, a 1 % year-on-year rise. France, the Netherlands and Germany led foreign destinations, while domestic trips captured nearly one-third of the total—evidence of a robust outbound and internal travel market.
Extra visa-processing fee for Belgian long-stay work permit applications confirmed online
Belgium’s consular website update on 14 September clarifies that the €242 federal handling fee for long-stay work visas must be paid before any embassy appointment. Companies should adjust timelines to avoid application refusals and project delays.
Belgium retires last paper identity cards as EU security deadline takes effect
From 3 August 2026, all Belgian paper identity cards and older residence cards without a machine-readable zone are invalid. The move, mandated by EU Regulation 2019/1157, affects thousands of residents who must now obtain a biometric e-ID or use a passport. Employers and travel providers are urged to review employees’ documents to avoid denied boarding and compliance penalties. The change may cause short-term travel disruptions but strengthens document security across the EU.