Do Thailand passport holders need a visa to visit BE?

Thai ordinary passport holders need a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa to visit Belgium for tourism. There is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival option, and ETIAS does not apply to Thai nationals. Belgium is part of the Schengen Area, and Thailand is not on the EU's list of visa-exempt countries. A Thai ordinary passport holder must therefore obtain a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) before travelling for tourism. The visa is applied for through TLScontact, the official partner of the Belgian Embassy in Bangkok, and permits stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across the whole Schengen Area. Apply at the consulate of your main destination — if Belgium is your only or primary destination, apply to Belgium. The consular fee is EUR 90 for adults (EUR 45 for children 6–11, free under 6), plus a TLScontact service fee. Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are collected in person. ETIAS does not change this: it is a travel authorisation only for nationals who are already visa-exempt, which Thailand is not, so Thai citizens will continue to need a full Schengen visa even after ETIAS launches (expected late 2026). Note the EES (Entry/Exit System) went live on 10 April 2026, recording biometric entry/exit at Schengen borders. Apply well ahead of travel, as appointment and processing times can extend during peak season.