Driving rules, and the ones that bite.
- Drive onRight
- Motorway limit120 km/h
- Drink drive0.5 g/L · about 1 pint or 1 small wine
- Emergency112
Belgium drives on the right. The motorway speed limit is 120 km/h. The emergency number is 112.
0.5 g/l (0.2 for professional drivers)
Driving tips
- The priorite a droite rule applies widely on unmarked junctions, especially in rural areas and smaller towns. If there is no road marking and no yield sign, traffic from the right has priority.
- Dutch is used in Flanders (north), French in Wallonia (south), and German in a small area near the eastern border. Road signs switch accordingly, so the same town can appear as Brugge or Bruges, Antwerpen or Anvers. Set your sat-nav to use local names.
- Belgium is one of the few countries where motorways are lit at night for long stretches. You will still want dipped beams, but visibility is excellent.
- Trams have absolute priority on the roads. Never overtake a tram that is stopped at a platform to let passengers on or off.
- Using a mobile phone while driving carries an immediate EUR 174 fine.
- Alcohol checks are routine at weekends and around the ports. The limit is 0.5 g/l, similar to most of Europe and lower than England and Wales.
- Speed cameras in Belgium are mostly fixed, well-signed, and easy to spot. Section control is used on some motorways.
- Keep your documents accessible. Police can ask for your paperwork on the spot and issue fines to be paid immediately in cash or by card.
Worth knowing before you go.
Speed limits on rural roads are 90 km/h in Wallonia and 70 km/h in Flanders. Always check the sign as you cross the regional border.
The toll system, and the city emissions rules.
- TollsNone
- VignetteNot required
- Emission zoneYes · LEZ Registration
Belgian motorways are toll-free for all cars and motorhomes, regardless of weight, as long as the vehicle is privately registered. HGVs and commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes pay a distance-based Viapass toll, but this does not apply to holidaymakers.
There is no vignette system either. Just drive.
Low emission zones
Belgium does not use a windscreen sticker. Instead, every foreign vehicle must register online before entering the LEZ. Brussels uses low-emission-zone.brussels, Antwerp uses slimnaarantwerpen.be, and Ghent uses the city mobility portal. Registration is free and valid for three years per city.
Minimum Euro standards differ. Brussels currently requires Euro 6 for diesel (Euro 5 was phased out in 2025) and Euro 2 for petrol. Antwerp and Ghent require Euro 5 for diesel. Older vehicles that do not meet the standard may be able to buy a limited day pass (8 days per year). Fines for driving in unregistered range from EUR 150 to EUR 350.
Read our complete guide to motorhome tolls and vignettes in Europe, and our guide to low emission zones.
What to carry, and what to bring.
- Required kit2 items
- Over 3,500 kgspeed stickers, blind-spot stickers
- Documents5 items
Belgium requires a set of kit to be carried in the vehicle. Most of it is cheap and worth having anyway, so pack it before you leave rather than buy it at a roadside price.
- UK Sticker.
- Warning Triangle.
- Reflective Jacket. Carry 1 per occupant.
- Headlight Converters. Carry 1 set.
- First Aid Kit.
- Fire Extinguisher.
- LEZ Registration. Carry 1 per city.
Towing a caravan or trailer.
HGV over 3.5t only; not applicable to most motorhomes
Towing a caravan or trailer.
From August 2025, UK trailers over 750 kg need to be registered with the DVLA before travelling internationally. Check current DVLA guidance before your trip.
Towing a caravan or trailer.
120 km/h motorway, 90 km/h rural, 50 km/h built-up
Towing a caravan or trailer.
Not applicable. Belgian motorways are free for private combinations.
Read this before you go.
Belgium has no general toll for private vehicles, but HGVs over 3.5 tonnes on a goods-vehicle plate pay a distance-based Viapass toll via an on-board unit. Motorhomes registered for private use are exempt even above 3.5 tonnes.
Documents to bring
For your own vehicle, carry your Passport, UK Photocard Driving Licence, Vehicle Log Book (V5C), Insurance Certificate and Travel Insurance Proof.
For a rental or hire vehicle, you also need your VE103 Certificate, Driving Licence Check Code and International Driving Permit (if you still hold a paper licence).
Gas, electric, and the weekly shop.
- LPG fittingACME
- CurrencyEUR
- Emergency112
- Sunday shoppingLimited, some open morning only
Belgium uses the ACME fitting for Autogas (LPG) refills. The network is good, with around 700 stations across the country, and most motorway services offer LPG alongside petrol and diesel. Prices are typically among the lowest in northern Europe.
The main bottle brands are Antargaz and Primagaz, stocked at fuel stations and hardware stores. Both run a swap-bottle system within Belgium but UK Calor bottles cannot be exchanged anywhere in Europe.
If your UK refillable tank uses the Dish fitting (common on vehicles set up for France), carry an ACME adapter. Read our complete guide to motorhome gas and LPG in Europe.
Electric hook-ups
Belgian campsites typically supply 16A hook-ups, giving you around 3,680 watts on a standard 230V supply. The blue CEE industrial plug is universal. In practice you can run a kettle, fridge, and heater together without tripping the breaker.
Reverse polarity is more common on Belgian campsites than in Germany or Austria, particularly on older coastal sites. UK consumer units only switch the Live wire, which means a reversed supply can leave appliances live even when you think they are off. Carry a socket tester and a crossover cable.
Many municipal aires offer metered electricity on a coin or card-operated pillar, at around EUR 0.50 per kWh.
Read our complete guide to motorhome electric hook-ups in Europe.
Where to shop
Supermarkets here: budget chains are Aldi, Lidl; mid-range chains are Colruyt, Delhaize, Carrefour, Spar, Intermarche; premium chains are Rob, Delhaize Fresh Atelier.
Typical opening hours: weekday 08:00/09:00 - 20:00; saturday 08:00/09:00 - 20:00; sunday Mostly closed (some tourist-area shops open); where to buy Supermarkets and specialist beer shops.
Most Belgian supermarkets close on Sundays, though tourist areas (coast, Ardennes, Bruges) often have limited opening. Night shops (nachtwinkels) are common in cities and typically open from 21:00 to 01:00 for basics at higher prices.
Belgian beer culture is a category of its own. Supermarkets stock an excellent range, but specialist bottle shops (look for Bier Centrale, Bier Circus, or The Belgian Beer Company) have Trappist, lambic, and small-brewery ranges you will not find anywhere else. Chocolatiers are also worth seeking out.
- Pharmacies (apotheek or pharmacie) hold a monopoly on paracetamol and over-the-counter medicines. Supermarkets do not sell them.
- Colruyt is usually the cheapest full-range supermarket, Delhaize has the best quality, and Carrefour sits in the middle.
- Weekly markets (markt/marche) run in most towns, often on weekend mornings. Good for fresh bread, cheese, and charcuterie.
- Petrol stations on motorways often have Q8 Easy or AC Restaurant shops that sell basic groceries and hot food around the clock.
More detail in our guides to gas and LPG and electric hook-ups across Europe.
Taking a dog, and crossing the border.
- SchengenYes
- AHC requiredwithin 10 days
- Tapeworm on UK returnYes
- Dog leadRequired
To take a dog to Belgium, the standard pet travel rules apply. The detail below covers what your dog needs.
- AHC required. Yes, issued by your vet within 10 days before entry
- Rabies vaccination. Yes, must be at least 21 days old at the time of travel
- Tapeworm treatment for UK return. Required between 24 hours and 120 hours before you arrive back in the UK, administered by a vet
- Breed restrictions. No national breed ban, but some municipalities (particularly in Wallonia) require muzzles or leads for listed breeds. Check local rules before travel.
Pack the dog's Dog lead, Water bowl, Vaccination records and AHC.
Meat, milk, and products containing either cannot be brought into Belgium from the UK. The main exceptions are powdered baby milk and medically prescribed pet food.
Belgium is in the Schengen area.
Schengen area: Yes. EES biometric checks: Yes. You will need to register fingerprints and a photo on entry and exit once the system goes live. Trailer registration (UK): UK trailers over 750 kg require DVLA registration for international travel from August 2025. Mobile roaming: Charges vary by provider since the UK left the EU. Check with yours before you travel.
Useful links
See also our complete guides to the Schengen 90-day rule and taking a dog to Europe.
The questions people ask most.
Do I need to register my motorhome for the Brussels LEZ?
Yes. All foreign vehicles, including UK-registered motorhomes, must register online at low-emission-zone.brussels before entering the Brussels LEZ. Registration is free and remains valid for three years. Drive in unregistered and fines start at 150 EUR and can rise to 350 EUR for repeat offences. Antwerp and Ghent use the same system via their own city websites.
Are there tolls in Belgium?
No, not for cars or motorhomes. Belgian motorways are free for all vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, with no vignette or distance toll. HGVs and commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes pay a distance-based Viapass toll using an on-board unit, but almost no UK motorhome falls into this bracket.
How strict is the Antwerp LEZ for older motorhomes?
Strict. Antwerp bans diesel vehicles older than Euro 5 and petrol older than Euro 2 from its LEZ, which covers the city centre and parts of the Left Bank. Even compliant foreign vehicles must register at slimnaarantwerpen.be in advance. Ghent has similar rules. Check your vehicle's Euro class on your V5C before you plan a city visit.
Can I take my dog to Belgium in a motorhome?
Yes. Your dog needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination at least 21 days old, and an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by your vet within 10 days of travel. For the return to the UK, your dog must have a tapeworm treatment administered by a vet between 24 hours and 120 hours before arrival back in the UK.