Notice
Coronavirus - Dedicated phone lines
Irish citizens in Belgium, or who intend travelling to Belgium, who have COVID-19 travel related queries not covered by our Travel Advice can call the dedicated Department of Foreign Affairs travel advice centre on +353 1 613 1733 or use the WebChat facility.
Please contact the dedicated HSE phone line +353 41 685 0300 with queries relating to public health measures in Ireland.
Travel to Ireland
The Irish Health Authorities require anyone coming into Ireland from overseas (including Belgium) to self-isolate for 14 days. Passengers arriving in Ireland are obliged to complete a mandatory Public Health Passenger Locator Form (GA | EN) and to submit it to the relevant authority at their port of entry.
Check the Irish Health Service COVID-19 Advice Page for full information on these requirements.
Exemptions are in place for providers of essential supply chain services such as hauliers, pilots and maritime staff.
These measures have been extended until at least 9 July and may be extended further.
Travel Advice for Belgium
The Department of Foreign Affairs advises against all non-essential travel overseas, including to Belgium, until further notice.
There has been significant reductions in the number of travel options between Ireland & Belgium. Those travelling from Belgium to Ireland (or transiting via Belgium), please monitor your airline’s website regularly.
Our travel advice for Belgium is available here or by downloading the TravelWise app.
Follow @IrishEmbBelgium and @DFATravelWise on Twitter for our latest updates.
Those resident or remaining in Belgium are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the public health measures in place.
- Measures such as social distancing (1.5 metres), respiratory etiquette and obligatory mask wearing in certain settings (e.g. public transport, airports) remain in place.
- On 15 June, Belgium reopened its borders for travel to and from EU states, the UK and Schengen countries. However, it is important to inform yourself of any restrictions in place in your intended destination prior to travel from Belgium. Information on measures in place for those arriving in Ireland can be found above. Travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs for over 200 countries is available here.
- Belgium entered Phase 4 on 1 July.
- Sign up to BE-Alert to receive the latest email updates directly from the Belgian Crisis Centre.
Citizens' Registration
Irish citizens travelling to or resident in Belgium are encouraged to register their contact details with the Department of Foreign Affairs so that we can contact you or your family in case of emergency.
Embassy Services
In order to provide a safe environment for our staff and our visitors, and adhere to public health guidelines, the Embassy is currently operating with reduced on-site staffing.
Our public office is closed as the Embassy is currently focused on providing emergency consular services only.
Appointments are available for Irish citizens requiring emergency consular assistance by contacting us.
Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions can be found here.
For all other queries, please email us and we will respond to you as soon as possible.
If contacting us by phone, please ensure you include a phone number if leaving a voicemail message so that we can return your call.
Irish Passport Services
The Passport Office has now resumed the processing of online applications.
It is currently only possible to apply for an Irish passport (renewal or first passport) using Passport Online.
Passport Online FAQ | Passport Application Tracking: Belgium
We are unable to process paper application forms at present.
If you have a query regarding an existing passport application that you have submitted to the Embassy, or if you need a travel document for a genuine emergency (death or serious illness of a family member, or emergency medical treatment), please contact us.
Visas for Ireland
We have temporarily ceased accepting new visa applications. For more information, please visit the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service's website.
• From Monday 29 June, we will begin accepting applications for Long Stay Visas (‘D’ categories) by registered post only.
• Please do not visit the Embassy in Brussels as it will not be possible to submit your application.
• Short-stay Visas (‘C’ categories), for visits of less than 90 days, will not be processed due to ongoing restrictions in Ireland.
