Explore Belgium
Belgium is often treated as a drive-through country on the way somewhere else, which is a shame. It has a dense network of quiet rural roads, a surprising number of well-placed aires, and some of the best food and beer in Europe. The tolls are non-existent, the motorways are floodlit all night, and the language changes every 50 km. The main admin to sort before you cross is the LEZ registration for Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent: mandatory, online, free, and routinely missed by UK motorhomers who then collect a postal fine weeks later. This guide covers the essentials.
Last verified: 21 April 2026
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Driving rules
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.
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.
Required kit
Vehicles over 3,500 kg
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.
Towing a caravan
Tolls and vignettes
Tolls
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.
Vignette
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.
Supermarkets and shopping
Budget
Mid-range
Premium
Opening hours
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.
Alcohol
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.
Local tips
- 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.
Motorhome LPG and gas in Belgium
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.
Motorhome electric hook-ups in Belgium
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.
Documents you need
Your own vehicle
- Passport
- UK Photocard Driving Licence
- Vehicle Log Book (V5C)
- Insurance Certificate
- Travel Insurance Proof
Rental or hire vehicle
- VE103 Certificate
- Driving Licence Check Code
- International Driving Permit (if you still hold a paper licence)
Travelling with dogs
What to pack
- Dog lead
- Water bowl
- Vaccination records
- AHC
Food import rules
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.
Border and entry
Useful links
Common questions
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.