Belgium and Luxembourg (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

326 SURVIVAL GUIDE

Banking and Currency

As befits their status at the heart of the European Union,
both geographically and administratively, Belgium and
Luxembourg have trustworthy and efficient banking sys-
tems, dedicated to businesses as well as individuals. The
currency used by both countries, as well as by most of
the older member-states of the European Union, is the
euro. Cash is easily available through Automated Teller
Machines (ATMs) and banks, and most of the essential
transactions can be conducted through major credit cards.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE

BUREAUS

Visitors who are unable to

change money at a bank or

use a cashpoint machine to

obtain euros, may be forced

to rely on foreign exchange

bureaus (bureaux de change

in French; wisselkantoren in

Dutch). These can be found

in all cities and travel hubs

that regularly receive foreign

visitors. They have much

BANKS

Banking hours in Belgium
and Luxembourg are gener-
ally 9am to 4pm from Monday
to Friday. In Belgium, some
banks might close for lunch
between noon and 2pm. A
few branches operate until
4:30pm or 5pm on Fridays,
and may open on Saturday
mornings. Most banks are
happy to serve non-clients,
and often offer very competi-
tive exchange rates. They are
also able to cash travellers’
cheques and exchange for-
eign currency. To do this, the
signatory’s passport or some
other form of photographic
identification will be required.
All transactions, especially

ATM SERVICES

Most bank branches have

24-hour cashpoint facilities.

Visitors will find that there is

often a machine in the lobby

used by members of the bank,

while a second ATM on the

wall outside is available to

everyone. ATMs accept a wide

range of cards, including those

belonging to Maestro and

Cirrus. It is advisable to check

with the home bank or card-

provider whether a card is

acceptable abroad. Usually,

there is no transaction fee at

the ATM itself, but the bank

or card-provider at home may

have set the exchange rate

and will charge a fee.

Debit and credit cards, accepted at

major stores and most hotels

CREDIT AND

CHARGE CARDS

American Express

Tel (02) 6762121.

http://www.americanexpress.be

Diners Club

Tel (02) 6265024.

http://www.dinersclub.be

MasterCard

Tel 0800 15096.

http://www.mastercard.com/be

Visa

Tel 0800 18397

(in Belgium: (070) 344 344).

http://www.visaeurope.com

DIRECTORY

ATMs, available in most towns and
cities across the two countries

Foreign exchange bureau at the Brussels Midi railway station

CREDIT AND

CHARGE CARDS

MasterCard and Visa cards

are widely accepted across

the region; more reluctance

may be shown towards Diners

Club and American Express.

Most hotels accept credit

cards to secure reservations,

and likewise for payment at

the end of a stay. Small hotels

and bed-and-breakfast accom-

modation may take only cash.

The mode of payment needs

to be established before the

stay. Again, restaurants are

usually happy to take payment

by credit card, but it is best to

check before ordering if this

is not clear, and there is insuf-

ficient cash to cover a meal.

money transfers, are liable to

banking fees, and it is best

to check the rates in advance. longer opening hours than

banks, but will often charge

a commission of 3–4 per

cent, on top of which they

may not have as competitive

exchange rates. It is worth

comparing prices between

different bureaus to ensure

a good deal.