The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issued an updated travel advisory for Belgium on 25 September, warning British nationals of a planned public-sector strike on 12 October that could disrupt transport, border services and other government operations. The notice, which remains “Still current at 25 September 2026”, follows reports of growing industrial unrest after stalled wage talks with federal authorities. While previous Belgian strikes have largely targeted domestic rail and urban transit, unions representing police and immigration officers have signalled sympathy actions. Travellers transiting Brussels Airport or the Eurostar terminal at Brussels-Midi could therefore encounter slower passport controls or ad-hoc walkouts. Business-travel managers are advised to build flexibility into October itineraries, monitor service-provider alerts and prepare contingency plans such as remote meetings or routing via neighbouring airports if necessary. Employers with posted workers in Belgium should remind staff that demonstrations in Brussels’ EU quarter can spill over into surrounding streets, affecting commutes and deliveries. The advisory also recaps Belgium’s Entry/Exit System requirements and encourages travellers to keep passports handy even on domestic trains, as neighbouring countries may impose spot checks near the Belgian border. Although the strike risk lies two weeks ahead, the timely FCDO update underscores the importance of monitoring government advisories, which many corporate-travel insurance policies treat as triggers for coverage adjustments.
Source: UK FCDO
