COVID-19: New Zealanders in Belgium - Frequently asked questions | New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Where to find information about COVID-19 in Belgium and New Zealand

For up-to-date guidance on the Belgian Government's COVID-19 response, please refer to info-coronavirus.be(external link).

For up-to-date guidance on the New Zealand Government's COVID-19 response, please refer to the SafeTravel website(external link).

For up-to-date advice for New Zealanders overseas, please refer to the Advice for New Zealanders overseas(external link) page on the SafeTravel website.

The following information covers:

General travel advice
Travelling to New Zealand
Other frequently asked travel questions - New Zealanders in Belgium
Belgian nationals in New Zealand – how to get assistance
Belgian Health Ministry advice
Consular assistance

General travel advice

New Zealanders should refer to the SafeTravel website(external link) for travel advisory updates. We encourage all New Zealanders living and travelling overseas to register on SafeTravel(external link) so that we can relay important information to you if the situation changes where you are.

We recognise that not all New Zealanders who want to return home are able to do so. New Zealanders who cannot return home for the time being should take steps to stay safe where they are.

The Government is committed to helping New Zealanders overseas where we can, but the international situation is complex and changing quickly, and some things are out of our control.

The situation around the world is very complex as many countries’ borders remain closed, there are still a number of restrictions that limit the ability for travellers to transit, and commercial airlines have reduced flight schedules.

Where commercial flights remain available, we urge New Zealanders to talk to travel agents and airlines to work out how best they can return home. Assisted departure flights should not be relied upon to get home.

For details on countries and territories which have COVID-19 related border restrictions affecting foreign nationals, including travellers in transit, please check the International Air Transport Association (IATA) website(external link) before you travel. The IATA website is being continually updated.

Travelling to New Zealand

If you are able to get a flight home to New Zealand, please refer to the Covid19.govt.nz website(external link) for the latest information on arriving in New Zealand and self-isolation.

Make sure you also read the frequently asked questions below for important information about:

What are the best routes for getting back to New Zealand from Belgium?
What do I need to know if I’m transiting through Australia back to New Zealand?

New Zealanders should refer to the SafeTravel website(external link) for travel advisory updates. We encourage all? New Zealanders living and travelling overseas to register on SafeTravel(external link) so that we can relay important information to you if the situation changes where you are.

Belgian travellers (who are not New Zealand citizens, permanent residents or immediate family) should follow the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs guidance(external link) against non-essential international travel as of 17 March 2020. You should also refer to the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' country-by-country Travel Advice(external link).

Your travel insurance may be affected by the outbreak of COVID-19 in your country of destination and the level of our travel advice(external link) for that country, especially if we advise against travel to that destination.

Other frequently asked travel questions

My flight has been cancelled/changed, what should I do?

We strongly recommend contacting your airline, travel agent or travel insurance provider immediately for the latest information.

Flights across the world are significantly reducing in capacity and the ability to transit through other countries and territories is reducing due to COVID-19 border restrictions. Many flight routes back to New Zealand have ceased, and even booked travel is being disrupted.

What are the best routes for getting back to New Zealand from Belgium?

We are aware that the options for returning to New Zealand remain limited. Many flights have ceased, and even booked travel is being disrupted.

At the time of writing, there are still options available to fly to New Zealand from Europe. However, we are aware that seats can be difficult to secure, prices may be high, and availability could change at any time. The best option for many expatriate New Zealanders may be to stay where they are and follow the instructions of the Belgian authorities.

The Government is committed to helping New Zealanders overseas where we can. The international situation is complex and changing quickly, and some things are out of our control. Assisted departure flights should not be relied upon to get home.

What do I need to know if I’m transiting through Australia back to New Zealand?

The transit or immigration requirements of other countries can change at short notice and MFAT does not provide advice on these issues. The Australian Department of Home Affairs’ COVID19 website has the most up-to-date and accurate information. The Australia Home Affairs website(external link) also provides guidance. Travel agents/airlines and insurance providers can also be consulted.

New Zealanders wishing to transit Australia on their way home to New Zealand are subject to both Australian Federal and State Government requirements:

a) the Australian Border Force’s international transit requirements for New Zealanders, which permit New Zealanders to enter Australia for transit purposes for up to 72 hours but require those undertaking transits of more than eight hours to leave the airport; and

b) the relevant Australian State Governments’ mandatory quarantine requirements for persons arriving from overseas.

Please note that if your transit is longer than 8 hours you might have to apply for a mandatory quarantine exemption Information about the exemption process can be found on the relevant Australian State Governments ‘websites.

Sydney (New South Wales)

Health NSW website(external link)

Due to the fact that Sydney is experiencing significant pressure on quarantine capacity (including those transiting), we understand that the NSW Government has now introduced a cap of 50 persons per incoming flight and a total cap of 450 arrivals per day. This restriction will be in place until at least 18 July.

This may mean some flights will no longer be viable and therefore may not operate. If this affects your intended travel, we strongly encourage you to contact your Travel Agent or Airline immediately to assess your options.

Brisbane (Queensland)

Queenland Government website(external link)

Melbourne (Victoria)

We understand that the Victoria State Government has asked the Australian Federal Government to divert all international flights from Melbourne for the coming two weeks. We suggest New Zealanders talk to their travel agents and airlines about the status of their upcoming flights, and possible options to return to New Zealand.

I am flying back to New Zealand, will I be allowed in under the current border restrictions?

Border restrictions

For information regarding border changes, visas and exemptions please read the information on the Immigration New Zealand website(external link) or contact Immigration New Zealand by phone on:

+64 9 914 4100 (outside New Zealand)
0508 558 855 (Toll-free from NZ landlines)
09 914 4100 Auckland
04 910 9915 Wellington

Managed isolation on arrival

Check the Covid19.govt.nz website(external link) to find out about the latest information on arriving in New Zealand and managed isolation.

Will the NZ Embassy/Government provide funds to get New Zealanders home?

As a New Zealand citizen overseas, you have no right or claim to financial assistance from the New Zealand Government.

Refer to the SafeTravel financial difficulties page(external link) for advice if you find yourself in financial difficulties overseas.

When/how will you notify me if the situation gets worse?

New Zealanders travelling or residing off-shore are encouraged to register their details on the SafeTravel website(external link). If you are registered on SafeTravel, you will receive an email advising you of any updates to the travel advisory risk level or significant updates to government advice.

Registering your travel with SafeTravel also means that it will be easier for us to contact you in an emergency and to send you updated advice even before you leave New Zealand.

I can't leave Belgium, what do I do?

If you are unable to return to New Zealand, you should shelter in place and take steps to stay safely where you are. This means following the advice of local authorities, primarily the Belgian Government.

For full details of the situation in Belgium, when or/if you can be outside and under what conditions, please consult the Belgium Government's COVID-19 website(external link).

My Belgian visa will be affected by COVID-19 restrictions, what do I do?

Information about extending your visa can be found on the Belgian Immigration Office website(external link) (in French).

An unofficial translation is provided below for your information:

The Immigration Office recalls that a third-country national prevented from leaving Belgium for reasons of force majeure (quarantine, cancellation of a flight, closure of a border, etc.) can request the authorisation to extend their stay.

To limit travel and contacts, this request can be sent to the commune of residence, by email.

The applicant must attach the following information and documents:

Copy of their passport (number and validity, personal data, pages used);
Copy of their arrival declaration (annex 3 to the royal decree of 08/10/1981);
Letter explaining why they cannot leave Schengen territory on the scheduled date;
Documents confirming the impediment;
Proof of travel health insurance valid for the duration of the desired extension;
Address of residence in Belgium;
A valid email address.

The Belgian Immigration Office will send its decision to the applicant by post.

Who can the Embassy help?

Consular services are available to New Zealand citizens outside New Zealand (whether or not they normally live in New Zealand).

New Zealand citizens who also hold citizenship of another country ("dual nationals") may not be entitled to assistance from the New Zealand Government if:

they entered a country on their non-New Zealand passport, or
they are in the country of their other nationality.

I am a Belgian national currently in New Zealand – how can I get assistance?

If you are a Belgian national in New Zealand and are looking for consular assistance please contact the Embassy of Belgium in Canberra, Australia. The Embassy of Belgium in Australia is accredited to New Zealand and offers assistance to Belgian citizens in both countries.

The Embassy has set up a registry of Belgian nationals in New Zealand(external link) to identify those in need of assistance.

Belgian Ministry of Health advice

What should you do if you are sick?(external link)

If you have fever and/or respiratory problems (such as coughing and breathing difficulties) stay home and call your doctor and report your symptoms. Do not go to the waiting room or the emergency department. The doctor will determine by telephone whether you can stay ill at home or should go to hospital.

You can find a GP that speaks English and request a video consultation here(external link).

If you are in Brussels you can phone 1710 to speak to a GP. If you cannot find a GP please contact the emergency service SOS Médecins by phone: +32 2 513 0202.

Consular assistance

If you are a New Zealand citizen and require emergency consular assistance please phone:

+64 99 20 20 20 (outside New Zealand) or
0800 30 10 30 (within New Zealand)

However please note this does not include providing tailored advice for any intended travel.

For further information and answers to frequently asked questions see our dedicated COVID-19 information page on the SafeTravel website(external link).