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• Pickpocketing around Brussels' Grand Place and on metro lines.
• Fake charity petitions used as distraction for theft.
• Overpriced tourist restaurants near Grand Place — walk a block or two for better value.

• Excellent healthcare. EU citizens can use EHIC/GHIC. Pharmacies are well-stocked.
• Healthcare is affordable even for non-EU visitors compared to many Western countries.

• Routine vaccines only. No special requirements.

• Try Belgian beer — there are over 1,500 varieties. Each beer has its own glass.
• Visit Bruges by foot or boat — the medieval center is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Buy chocolate from artisan chocolatiers, not tourist shops — the difference is remarkable.

• Don't call Belgian fries 'French fries' — they were invented in Belgium and it's a sore point.
• Don't speak French in Flanders or Dutch in Wallonia without asking — language is politically sensitive.
• Don't limit yourself to Brussels — the best of Belgium is in its smaller cities.

Service charge is included by law. Small tips (rounding up) are appreciated but not expected. Leave €1–2 for good service.

Smart-casual in cities. Belgians dress neatly but not ostentatiously. No specific dress codes at most restaurants.

Historically Catholic. Beautiful cathedrals and churches welcome visitors. Belgium is secular and progressive in daily life.