Planning Umrah from Brussels, Liège or Charleroi: the 2026–27 school holidays (the February break falls in Ramadan), airlines and stopovers, e-visa, vaccine and comparing offers.
Going on Umrah from Belgium is simpler than many people think: there is no direct flight, but Brussels Airport has excellent connections, Belgian nationals can apply for an e-visa online, and the 2026–27 school calendar is unusually favourable, because the French-speaking community's February break falls on the last ten nights of Ramadan. This guide covers everything you need to plan Umrah from Brussels, Liège, Charleroi or Antwerp: when to go, which airlines, the paperwork, and how to compare offers.
When to go from Belgium in 2026–27
The French-speaking community's school calendar, reformed in 2022, creates different windows from those in France: - Autumn holidays: 19 to 30 October 2026. Busy; if you missed it, November is quiet and cheaper. - Winter holidays: 21 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, during the month of Rajab (which begins around 11 December). High demand, so book early. - February break: 22 February to 5 March 2027, in the middle of Ramadan (expected 8 February to 9 March) and covering the last ten nights, which begin on the evening of 27 February. It's the best chance in years to spend the end of Ramadan in Makkah as a family, and also the most sought-after period. - Spring holidays: 26 April to 7 May 2027. Be careful: if Saudi Arabia follows its 2026 pattern, Umrah will be closed to international pilgrims from early April, before Hajj. Don't plan a trip for these dates. - Summer: from 3 July 2027, after Umrah restarts (expected late May or early June). The Flemish community follows a different calendar, so check your school's dates. Our best time for Umrah page compares every season. Our Umrah calendar for 2026 to 2027 shows the best windows month by month.
Flights: getting to Makkah from Brussels
There is no direct flight between Belgium and Saudi Arabia for Umrah, so you fly via a hub. The most popular routes from Brussels Airport are Turkish Airlines via Istanbul (the favourite, about 8 to 10 hours in total), Emirates via Dubai, Qatar Airways via Doha and Royal Air Maroc via Casablanca. Landing in Jeddah and leaving from Madinah (or the reverse) saves a long trip at the end of your stay; the Haramain high-speed train links the two cities in a little over two hours. From Liège, Namur or Charleroi, the train takes you straight to Brussels Airport. Pilgrims from Antwerp and Flanders also fly from Brussels, and occasionally from Amsterdam or Paris. Compare departures on our Belgium and Umrah packages from Brussels pages. Our guide to the five miqat and entering ihram on a plane explains exactly when to make your intention.
Paperwork for Belgian residents
- Visa: Belgian nationals can perform Umrah on the Saudi tourist e-visa, applied for online on the official Visit Saudi portal; it is valid for one year with multiple entries and includes medical insurance. Belgian residents with another nationality should check their eligibility based on their passport and residence permit. - Nusuk permit: the Umrah permit is booked free of charge in the Nusuk app for a specific slot. During Ramadan, slots go quickly. - Vaccine: the meningococcal (conjugate ACWY) vaccine is required at least ten days before you travel, and Saudi Arabia accepts it for five years. Ask your GP or a travel clinic for a certificate. - Passport: valid for at least six months after your arrival date. - Children travelling with one parent: a consent letter from the other parent avoids questions at the airport. The application works the same way as in our guide to the Umrah visa from France.
Belgian agency or online booking: how to compare
Agencies in Brussels and Liège mainly sell group departures on fixed dates, often with a guide. That is reassuring for a first Umrah, but the dates and hotels are set for you. Booking online lets you choose your dates, the distance to the mosque and the length of your stay. To compare two offers, always ask in writing for: - the total price per person and the room type (2, 3 or 4 sharing); - the names and distance of the hotels in Makkah and Madinah; - the flights (airline, stopover, baggage, whether you can bring back Zamzam water); - what is included: visa, transfers, Haramain train, ziyarat, religious guidance; - the cancellation terms and payment schedule. Prices from Belgium track those from France: compare on our Umrah prices page, and for Ramadan see Ramadan Umrah 2027. For a full budget, see our guide to Umrah prices from France.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct flight from Brussels to Jeddah?
No. Most pilgrims connect in Istanbul, Dubai, Doha or Casablanca; allow 8 to 10 hours with a well-timed connection.
Can I go during the spring holidays in 2027?
Probably not: the spring holidays (26 April to 7 May 2027) are expected to fall during the pre-Hajj closure. Choose the February break, in the middle of Ramadan, or the summer instead.
Which visa do Belgian pilgrims need?
For a Belgian passport, the Saudi tourist e-visa is enough; you apply online in a few minutes. You then add the Umrah permit in Nusuk free of charge.
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Yuusr.com helps pilgrims from the UK, Europe, North America and around the world compare and book Umrah with ease: flights, hotels near the two Holy Mosques, transfers and guidance on Nusuk and the rites.