Quick check for Belgian travellers
You can apply for an NZeTA as a Belgian citizen if all of these are true:
- You'll travel on a valid Belgian passport
- Your trip is for a holiday, family visit, business meetings or a short course
- You'll stay for 90 days or less on each visit
- You won't work for a New Zealand employer
If any of these don't apply, for example if you want to work or stay longer, you'll need a visa instead. See work and longer stays below.
Why Belgian citizens need an NZeTA
Belgium is a visa-waiver country for New Zealand. Before 2019, Belgians simply showed their passport at the airport. Since 1 October 2019, visa-waiver travellers must hold an NZeTA, an electronic travel authority issued before departure. It applies to air travellers and to all cruise passengers.
The NZeTA lets New Zealand's immigration authorities check travellers in advance. For you, it means one online application that covers every visit for up to 2 years, or until your passport expires.
Your eID card and your passport
Belgians are used to travelling around Europe with their electronic identity card. It is not accepted for New Zealand, neither for the NZeTA nor at the border. You need a Belgian passport that is:
- Valid for at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave New Zealand
- The same passport you will carry on the trip
- Not reported lost or stolen
If your passport is close to expiring, renew it at your commune or municipality before you apply. An NZeTA can't be transferred from an old passport to a new one, so applying with the new passport saves you paying twice.
Van, De, Le and other surname particles
Many Belgian surnames begin with a particle, such as Van, Vanden, De, Le or Du. These are part of your family name. When you fill in the form:
- Enter the whole surname in the family name field, including the particle
- Copy spacing exactly as in the machine-readable zone. For example, VAN DEN BROECK and VANDENBROECK are different spellings.
- Enter all given names in the given name field, not just the one you use day to day
- Leave out accents if the machine-readable zone does not show them
If the names don't match, your airline may not be able to link your booking to your NZeTA. Our team double-checks names before submission.
From Brussels to Auckland
There are no direct flights from Belgium to New Zealand. Most Belgian travellers fly from Brussels, or sometimes from Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt, to a hub such as Dubai, Doha, Singapore or Hong Kong, then on to Auckland or Christchurch. The journey usually takes 24 to 30 hours.
Because it is a long trip, many people break it with a stopover in Asia or Australia. Keep in mind:
- Your NZeTA must be approved before your first check-in in Europe.
- Stopovers in Australia need their own Australian authority.
- Seasons are reversed. Belgian winter is New Zealand summer, which is peak travel time.
Applying, step by step
Your details
Start with your email and trip details, then pick a processing speed.
Passport and photo
Enter passport information and upload a recent face photo for each traveller.
Declarations
Answer short questions about health, criminal record and past immigration matters.
Payment
Pay by Visa, Mastercard or American Express. Your decision arrives by email.
| Processing option | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Normal | 48–72 hours |
| Emergency | 24–48 hours |
| Rush | 12–24 hours |
Prices, including the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, are on the fees page.
Start your Belgian NZeTA application
Work and longer stays
The NZeTA is only for short visits. You can attend business meetings or conferences, as explained in our business NZeTA guide, and you can study for up to 3 months. You can't take a job or do paid work.
Young Belgians who want to travel and work may be eligible for the Belgium Working Holiday scheme. It has its own age limits and conditions and is applied for separately. Anyone planning longer study or a permanent move also needs the right visa.
When you arrive in New Zealand
Your NZeTA allows you to travel, and the border officer decides whether to let you in. Prepare:
- Your passport
- A return or onward ticket
- Proof that you can support yourself during your stay
- Your accommodation address
- The New Zealand Traveller Declaration, completed before you land
Biosecurity: Belgian cheese, charcuterie and fresh fruit must be declared on arrival. Commercially packaged chocolate and biscuits are usually fine, but if in doubt, declare it. Undeclared risk goods can result in an instant fine.
Travelling with friends from nearby countries? Read our pages for the Netherlands, France and Luxembourg. When you're ready, apply for your NZeTA online.
Belgian travellers' FAQs
No. Belgian citizens don't need a visa for visits of up to 90 days. You need an approved NZeTA before you fly or board a cruise to New Zealand.
No. The eID is only valid for travel in Europe and a few nearby countries. New Zealand requires a Belgian passport valid for at least 3 months after you leave.
Enter the full surname exactly as it appears in the machine-readable zone of your passport, including all particles. Do not move "Van" or "De" into the first name field.
Yes. New Zealand has a Working Holiday scheme for Belgian citizens, and young Belgians may be eligible. It is a separate visa, not an NZeTA.
Yes. Your NZeTA allows multiple visits, so you can leave for Australia and return. You will need a separate Australian authority for the Australian part of the trip.
Allow up to 72 hours. Many decisions arrive sooner, and you can choose faster processing if you are leaving soon.