Belgium’s asylum applications drop 30%, ninth consecutive monthly fall
Leaked Brussels meeting shows EU exploring deportation deal with Taliban
Belgium shares digital enforcement tactics on undeclared work with Western Balkans inspectors
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Schengen Information System adds real-time external alerts, boosting checks at Belgian borders
From 15 October, Belgian border officers can consult a new SIS “information alert” fed by non-EU partners, giving real-time warnings about suspected terrorists and serious criminals. The upgrade, rolled out across all Schengen members, cuts response times at Brussels Airport and land crossings and is expected to increase secondary inspections by several minutes per flagged traveller. Transport firms should brace for marginally longer processing as authorities fine-tune the system.
Brussels Airport braces for 1.7 million holiday travellers and adds four new winter routes
Brussels Airport expects more than 1.7 million passengers during the staggered autumn school holidays and warns that 16 October will be the peak day with 82 000 travellers. At the same time, the airport’s winter schedule—effective 25 October—expands to 136 destinations, including new routes to Nantes, Santiago de Compostela, Kemi-Tornio and Evenes. Companies should plan for longer processing times and consider the new flights when arranging business travel.
Brussels Airport expects record 1.7 million passengers for staggered autumn holidays
Brussels Airport forecasts more than 1.7 million passengers between 16-31 October, with 82,000 travellers on the opening Friday alone, thanks to staggered Francophone and Flemish school holidays. A freshly resurfaced runway, extra security lanes and new EES biometric checks mean travellers should arrive two hours early for Schengen and three for non-Schengen flights. The peak fortnight is a key test of the airport’s capacity ahead of wider EU border-tech roll-outs.
European Summit sets up security cordon and transport detours around Brussels EU quarter
Police have erected a security perimeter around Brussels’ EU district for the European Summit on 15–16 October, closing streets, banning parking and diverting multiple bus and metro services. Business travellers and commuters to the Schuman area face ID checks and delays, and companies are urged to confirm accreditations and consider remote work alternatives.
Belgium reports 44 % drop in asylum applications as government touts tougher policy
New government statistics show asylum claims in Belgium fell to 2 071 in September 2026, a 44 % decrease compared with September 2024. Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt links the drop to stricter national rules and EU-level reforms, while promising more resources for returns. Companies should expect intensified identity and work-permit checks on foreign nationals.
Flanders relaxes chain-liability obligations for contractors employing third-country nationals
From 16 October 2026, contractors in Flanders no longer have to collect physical passports from foreign workers supplied by immediate subcontractors, and small on-site maintenance jobs are exempted from ‘risk sector’ status. The decree lightens administrative load but keeps core due-diligence duties in place for employers.