At Brussels Airport, border control procedures depend on your destination, your nationality and your travel documents. Below you will find information to help you navigate the process smoothly.
Check in advance whether your passport and visas are still valid. For some countries, your passport must be valid for at least six months; for Belgium, it’s three months after departure.
Departures from and arrivals to the Schengen area
If you arrive from a non-Schengen country or leave the Schengen area, you must pass through border control after the security screening. If you’re connecting between non-Schengen countries at Brussels Airport, you won’t go through border control, but you may need to clear security again. Please take into account that through-checked bagage is required.
Our border controls consist of several manned booths and e-gates. Please follow the signage to get in the correct line according to your passport.
European Union passport holders (with a biometric chip) and Belgian eID card holders can use the automated border control gates (e-gates). Please note the minimum age is 12 years.
Registration for non-EU nationals (EES)
Starting from October 2025, Brussels Airport will gradually implement the new European Entry/Exit System (EES), which will be fully operational by April 2026. This means that non-EU nationals crossing the borders of the Schengen area may have to complete an additional registration process at border control.
If you meet the EES-registration requirements, you will be asked to provide certain personal and biometric data needed to create your EES file. This can be done directly at the border control booth. At a later stage it will be possible for passengers to enter the details themselves at a pre-registration kiosk.
Want to know more about the European Entry/Exit System? Full details can be found on our dedicated EES information page.
Travelling within the Schengen area
If you are travelling to or from another Schengen country, you will not go through border control. After security screening, you can proceed directly to your departure gate. Upon arrival, you can proceed straight to baggage claim or exit.