Quick answer:Belgian citizens do not need to apply for a visa before a holiday in Dubai. At the airport, your passport is stamped with a free multiple-entry visit visa. It is valid for 6 months and allows a total stay of 90 days.
Do Belgians Need a Visa Before Flying to Dubai?
No. The Dubai visa for Belgium citizens is given on arrival at the immigration desk. Belgium is on the UAE list of European countries whose citizens get the 90-day visa on arrival.
Keep an eye on the dates. You can enter and leave the UAE several times within those 6 months, but your days inside the country cannot add up to more than 90. A weekend in Oman or a flight home to Brussels does not reset the count.
What to Carry at Dubai Immigration
The Dubai visa requirements for Belgium are short, but officers do check them:
When a Pre-Arranged Visa Makes Sense
For most trips, the Belgium passport holders Dubai visa on arrival is all you need. A visa arranged before travel helps in a few cases. For example, you have already used your 90 days and want to return, or you live in Belgium but hold another nationality. Your passport decides your entry route, not your place of residence.
If this applies to you, read our guide on how to apply for a Dubai visit visa online. Short on time? Our Dubai express visa application is built for last-minute trips.
Flying from Brussels to Dubai
Emirates flies nonstop from Brussels Airport (BRU) to Dubai International (DXB) every day. The flight takes about 6.5 to 7.5 hours. You can also connect through Istanbul, Frankfurt or Munich with other airlines.
Dubai is 3 hours ahead of Belgium in winter and 2 hours ahead during Belgian summer time. Many people search for a Dubai tourist visa from Belgium before booking, but for a normal holiday the free arrival stamp is enough.
Money: From Euros to Dirhams
The UAE uses the dirham (AED). It is pegged to the US dollar, so its value in euros moves with the euro-dollar rate. Card and mobile payments are normal almost everywhere. ATMs in Dubai work with the Visa, Cirrus and Maestro networks. Tell your bank you are travelling so your card is not blocked.
Best Months for a Belgian Holiday in Dubai
November to March is the most comfortable time, with warm days and cooler evenings. This matches Belgian school breaks such as the autumn holiday, Christmas and the February break, so book flights early. June to September is very hot, but hotel rates are often lower.
UAE Embassy in Brussels
The UAE Embassy in Brussels serves Belgium and Luxembourg. Belgian tourists do not need to visit it for a holiday visa, but it can answer consular questions.
Belgian Help Inside the UAE
If something goes wrong during your trip, the Embassy of Belgium is in Abu Dhabi, at Al Masaood Tower on Hamdan Street. The FPS Foreign Affairs emergency number, +32 2 501 40 00, works 24/7. You can also register your trip on Travellers Online so Belgian authorities can reach you in a crisis.
Final Checks Before You Leave Belgium
Read the latest FPS Foreign Affairs travel advice for the UAE, as the situation in the Gulf region can change quickly. Check your health cover too. Your Belgian health fund may not fully cover you abroad, and its cover ends after 3 months away. If you plan to drive, bring an international driving licence. Some medicines that are legal in Belgium are controlled in the UAE, so check before you pack. Applied for a pre-arranged visa? Check your Dubai visa status before you head to the airport.
Processing Time
Stay
Visa
