Is Belgium dog-friendly in 2026?

On STIB/MIVB (Brussels metro, tram and bus), dogs travel free. Keep the dog on a lead. Larger dogs must wear a muzzle, with guide and assistance dogs excepted, and staff can refuse animals that create a safety or cleanliness risk.

On SNCB/NMBS (Belgium's national railway), small pets in a closed carrier up to about 30 x 55 x 30 cm travel free. A dog on a lead needs the Pet Supplement (huisdierbiljet / billet animal), currently a fixed low flat fare per journey. A muzzle is recommended and a conductor may require one; pets must not occupy seats or tables. Assistance dogs travel free.

On De Lijn (Flanders bus and tram), pets ride free when kept under control: small animals on a lap or in a cage, larger dogs on a lead on the floor, with a muzzle if the animal may endanger others. Drivers may refuse pets when vehicles are full or when the animal causes nuisance.

On TEC (Wallonia's public transport network), a dog that fits on your lap (or a small animal in a basket) can travel free as hand luggage. A larger dog on a lead needs its own transport ticket at the passenger tariff, must stay leashed, and must wear a muzzle if it presents a danger. Assistance and police dogs are exempt from the ticket requirement.

Ask for a written pet clause before you sign a lease. Communal gardens, apartment house rules and neighbour complaints often matter as much as the landlord's first verbal yes. Many urban contracts still ban or tightly limit dogs.

Parks and green belts usually expect leads unless a signed off-leash zone says otherwise. Clean-up rules are enforced in busy cities. North Sea beaches around Ostend, Knokke and other coastal communes often add seasonal time bands or leash requirements in summer; check the municipal page for the exact strand before you travel with SNCB/NMBS for a weekend walk.

Many café and restaurant terraces welcome calm dogs, while indoor dining is venue-by-venue. Always ask first, keep the dog off seats, and avoid peak lunch rushes with a large restless dog.