Through our Embassy in Brussels we work closely with the Belgians on a number of justice and home affairs matters, where EU Member States work together, both within the EU and directly, to tackle cross-border problems like terrorism, organised crime and illegal immigration. Cross-border problems require international solutions, and in an increasingly globalised world, EU and international co-operation on justice and home affairs matters is delivering practical, concrete benefits for UK citizens. Justice and home affairs work is also delivering greater legal certainty for UK citizens and businesses, making it easier for people to live, work and do business across the EU.

In Belgium, much of our work is focussed on immigration and organised crime, where we work very closely with the Belgian authorities  and are making progress to the benefit of both Belgium and the UK.  

The Embassy works closely with the UK Border Agency and the Belgian government to manage migration to the UK.  This is most visible with the juxtaposed border controls at Brussels' Gare du Midi Eurostar terminal, where UK Border Officials ensure that those travelling to the UK have the correct documentation and identical controls are operated by the French and Belgians in London. The Brussels controls prevented over 700 people with the incorrect documentation entering the UK last year, while the Belgian authorities detained 2,570 people seeking illegal entry into the UK.

For more information, please see the 'Useful links' box on the right side of this page.