The Brussels-Capital Region is Belgium's bilingual capital region and the de facto capital of the European Union, with Grand Place, Art Nouveau houses, comics and the Atomium.
Brussels is generally safe for visitors; petty theft is the main problem, concentrated near stations and tourist spots.
Current safety advisory
Moderate
Check your government's travel advisory before travel. Belgium is rated at normal precautions by many governments, with a terrorism warning in some.
Last updated: 2026-10
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Check
Exercise increased caution because of terrorism; verify the current level at travel.state.gov.
Check
Terrorist attacks are possible; follow local guidance at gov.uk.
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Watch for pickpockets around Gare du Midi, Gare Centrale, Gare du Nord and on the metro.
Keep phones out of sight at café terraces.
Avoid poorly lit streets near Gare du Nord and Gare du Midi after midnight.
Use official taxis or apps.
Keep copies of your passport.
Don't leave bags on car seats.
Beware of 'friendship bracelet' and petition scams.
Know the emergency number 112.
Stay on main streets late at night.
Lock bikes with two locks.
Check tram stops for pickpockets in rush hours.
Report theft at a police station for insurance.
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Bracelet and petition scams
Strangers tie bracelets or ask for signatures near tourist spots.
How to avoid: Walk on.
Unlicensed taxis
Overcharging at stations and airport.
How to avoid: Use official taxis or app.
Fake charity collectors
Pushy clipboard collectors.
How to avoid: Decline.
Restaurant touts on Rue des Bouchers
Aggressive menu touts.
How to avoid: Check prices.
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- No special vaccinations; keep routine vaccinations current.
- Water
- Drinkable
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Note
- Tap water is potable.
- Food
- Food hygiene standards are high.
- Facilities
- Hospitals include Hôpital Saint-Pierre (Rue Haute 322) and Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc (Avenue Hippocrate 10).
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Solo travellers
Solo travellers find Brussels easy; main-street areas are busy until late, but stay alert around stations.
Female travellers
Women travelling alone generally feel safe by day; catcalling can occur around stations; use taxis late at night.
Families
Family travel is easy; keep hold of children in crowded stations and trams.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Belgium has strong legal protections and same-sex marriage since 2003; the Rue du Marché au Charbon area is a gay-friendly district.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 101 (or 112)
- Medical
- 112 (ambulance and fire)
- Embassy
- US Embassy: Boulevard du Régent 27, +32 2 811 4000; UK: Avenue d'Auderghem 10, +32 2 287 6211; Canada: Avenue de Tervueren 2, +32 2 741 0611 (verify before travel).
- Tourist Police
- Visit.brussels Info Place: Rue Royale 2-4 (verify hours); non-emergency police via local station.