Belgium declared independence on 4 October 1830.
The Kingdom of Belgium
BelgiumWestern Europe-3:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)Dutch, French, German
National CurrencyEuro (EUR)
National Day(s)21 July (Belgian National Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalBrussels
Economic CapitalBrussels
Cultural CapitalLeuven
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 7 – 7.5 h
Direct flights
Primary AirportBrussels Airport (BRU)
Primary PortPort of Antwerp-Bruges (PAB)
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline≈ 65 km
Highest PointSignal de Botrange (694 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverScheldt River (major waterway, linked to industrial ports and North Sea channel)
ClimateTemperate maritime climate
Border Countries
NetherlandsGermanyLuxembourgFrance
4Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
The black, yellow, and red colors of Belgium’s flag come from the old coat of arms of Brabant.
Belgium is a federal state with three communities and three regions.
Belgium’s official languages are Dutch, French and German.
Brussels hosts NATO headquarters and major European Union institutions.
Mainland Europe’s first railway opened from Brussels to Mechelen on 5 May 1835.
Built for Expo 58, the Atomium depicts an iron crystal enlarged 165 billion times.
Belgian Georges Lemaitre proposed the modern Big Bang theory in 1927.
Belgian Adolphe Sax created the saxophone and patented it in 1846.
Jean Neuhaus Jr. created the modern Belgian praline in Brussels in 1912.
Brussels’ Comic Strip Trail features more than 80 character murals.
Antwerp’s diamond industry is over 580 years old and has over 1,300 companies.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | BelgiumUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesUSD Billions | - | - | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$ | - | - | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita | - | - | |
| PopulationMillions of people | - | - | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force | - | - | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP | - | - | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | - | - |
Foreign Trade
No data available for this section yet.
Political Overview
Leadership
H.M. King Philippe
Since July 2013
H.E. Bart De Wever
Since February 2025
H.E. Maxime Prevot
Since February 2025
H.E. Jan Jambon
Since February 2025
H.E. Theo Francken
Since February 2025
H.E. David Clarinval
Since February 2025
H.E. Theo Francken
Since February 2025
Political Summary
Political System
Federal Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
The King serves as Head of State and the Prime Minister as Head of Government within a federal, multi-party parliamentary system with a bicameral federal parliament.
Ruling Party
Multi-party coalition led by the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA): Right-wing (since February 2025)
Main Opposition Force(s)
Vlaams Belang (VB): Far-rightParti Socialiste (PS): Centre-leftParti du Travail de Belgique/Partij van de Arbeid van Belgie (PTB/PVDA): Far-left
Next Presidential Election
Not applicable (Hereditary)
Next Legislative Election
2029
Last Updated: May 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
54Organizations
30Member
7Founding Member
8Partner, Observer or Participant
9Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: July 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | Belgium | UAE |
|---|
No index matches.
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations8 Dec 197155 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Mohamed Ismail Al Sahlawi Al AliUAE Ambassador to Belgium · ResidentForeign Ambassador
H.E. Rik Van DroogenbroeckAmbassador of Belgium to the UAE · ResidentLast Updated: June 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
Passenger Flights
October 2026 figures14Total Weekly Passenger Flights
EYEtihad Airways5
EKEmirates9
FZflydubai0
G9Air Arabia0
Cargo Flights
October 2026 figures6Total Weekly Cargo Flights
EYEtihad Cargo0
EKEmirates SkyCargo6
Last Updated: October 2026Source: GCAA
Consular Information
Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Belgium Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin Belgium | - | - | - | - |
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | Not Signed | Belgium is an EU member state.Negotiations with the EU launched on 28 May 2025.The first round of negotiations began on 24 Jun 2025. |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 8 Mar 2004 by the Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU).Entered into force on 22 Nov 2007. |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 30 Sep 1996.Entered into force on 22 Dec 2003. |
ASAAir Services Agreement | Signed | The EU–UAE Horizontal Air Transport Agreement was signed on 30 Nov 2007. |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to Belgium | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - |
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- H.E. Lana NusseibehMinister of State and Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the European UnionJan2026
- H.E. Abdullah bin Sultan Al NuaimiMinister of JusticeOct2025
- H.E. Abdulla BalalaaAssistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and SustainabilitySep2025
- H.E. Omran SharafAssistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Advanced Science and TechnologyJul2025
- H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiMinister of State for Foreign TradeMar2025
Official Visits to the UAE
- H.E. Theodora GentzisSecretary-General and President of the Board of Directors of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BelgiumFeb2026
- H.E. Maxime PrevotDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of BelgiumJun2025
- H.E. Hadja LahbibMinister of Foreign Affairs of BelgiumFeb2024
- H.E. Hadja LahbibMinister of Foreign Affairs of BelgiumOct2023
- H.M. King PhilippeKing of BelgiumFeb2022
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
-
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports
Key Trade Commodities
-
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)276.5USD Millions
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)448.8USD Millions
Capex and jobs data include estimated values.
Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major Belgian Companies in the UAE
BESIX GroupConstruction and infrastructure
ManucharChemicals and commodities trading
DEME GroupMarine engineering and dredging
SoudalConstruction chemicals and adhesives
SteelforceSteel trading and distribution
Jan De Nul GroupMarine engineering and dredging
Major UAE Companies in Belgium
Mubadala Investment CompanyBusiness software
Masdar-
DP WorldPorts, terminals and logistics
Last Updated: April 2026Source: Internal Research
Business Support
Dubai Chambers
Business Council(s)Belgian Business Council
International Office(s)-
Joint Business Council(s)-
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Various UAE Chambers
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research