China extends visa-free travel for Belgians until the end of 2026

The Chinese government has confirmed that visa-free travel for many European countries, including Belgium, which ran until the end of 2025, will be extended by one year until December 31, 2026.

Thanks to this, holders of a Belgian passport can travel to China without a visa for a period of up to 30 days. The visa waiver applies to travel for the purpose of tourism, business, family visits, exchanges, and transit. Travellers must be able to present a return or onward ticket on arrival and must be able to prove that their purpose of travel falls within the permitted categories.

The extension is part of a broader diplomatic relaxation that China introduced for a total of 45 countries, including the Netherlands, France and Germany. According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this decision is in line with the policy of “further promoting high-level openness” and stimulating cross-border traffic.

For Belgian companies and travellers, this means a lasting administrative advantage, especially for business trips, trade missions and tourism initiatives. Since the introduction of the scheme, the number of visa-free arrivals in China has risen sharply, highlighting China’s attractiveness as a destination.