Currency & Payment

The currency is the euro (EUR, symbol EUR), divided into 100 cents. Banknotes and coins are the standard ones used across the Eurozone, so if you arrive with euros from another euro country they work fine. Cards and phones cover most payments, but a little cash is handy for small shops, markets and tips.

You rarely need to change much cash in Belgium. When you do need euros, withdrawing from a bank ATM usually gives the best rate, while exchange bureaux at airports and stations tend to have poorer rates and higher fees. Keep some cash on hand for small shops and markets that may not take cards.

Cards are very widely accepted in Belgium and contactless is standard almost everywhere. Visa and Mastercard are the most common, while American Express is accepted less often, so carry a Visa or Mastercard as backup. Some places, such as certain shops and transport, are card-only, so a card is essential even where cash is welcome.

ATMs (called distributeurs in French, or you may see the Bancontact network) are widely available across Belgium and dispense euros. Use machines attached to banks or in busy, well-lit spots, and cover your PIN. Watch for fees on foreign cards, and decline any offer to convert to your home currency, as your own bank usually gives a better rate.

Apple Pay and Google Pay work at most card terminals in Belgium, since contactless is very common. Residents also use the local Bancontact and Payconiq apps for payments and QR transfers, but these usually need a local bank account to set up, so visitors mostly rely on Apple Pay, Google Pay or a contactless card.

In Belgium, service is already included in restaurant bills, so tipping is not obligatory. Rounding up the bill or leaving around 5 to 10 percent for good service is appreciated but not expected. The same relaxed approach applies to cafes, bars and taxis, where small change or rounding up is a friendly gesture rather than a rule.

Belgium is a moderately expensive Western European country. Eating out and hotels cost more in tourist cities like Brussels and Bruges, especially in central areas. You can keep costs down by shopping at supermarkets and grabbing affordable food from frites (fries) stands and bakeries, which are tasty and easy on the budget.

Non-EU residents can usually claim a VAT refund on eligible purchases above a minimum spend in one shop. Ask the retailer for a tax-free form at the time of purchase, keep your receipts, and get customs validation when you leave the EU. Conditions and minimum amounts apply, so check the details, as not every item or shop qualifies.