The Belgian Grand Prix is much more than just a race weekend. For every Formula-1 fan, it’s a landmark event that every enthusiast should experience at least once in their lifetime. The legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, with its famous Eau Rouge and Raidillon corners, is a true challenge for drivers and a spectacle for spectators. In 2026, the Belgian round will take place from 17-19 July. And if you are reading this text right now, it means you are seriously considering the trip. We have gathered everything a UAE resident needs to know: from tickets to the Schengen visa.
How to get from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Belgium
There are no direct flights from the UAE to Belgium’s Liège Airport, but you can choose convenient connecting flights. Or get through the capital.
To Brussels you can fly direct from Dubai with Emirates — it takes about 7 hours. From Abu Dhabi, you’ve got Etihad, or European carriers like KLM and Lufthansa.
Liège is a regional airport located just 45 minutes from Spa-Francorchamps. There are no direct flights from the UAE, but you can fly there with a layover in Paris or Amsterdam. During the race weekend, Liège becomes a true aviation hub for fans. We advise you not to delay purchasing your flights.
How to get to the Spa-Francorchamps circuit from the airport
Rent a car
The most popular and convenient option. Belgium is a small country with excellent roads. From Brussels, you can reach Spa-Francorchamps via the E40 motorway. From Liège, it’s even quicker. The main downside is traffic jams on race days. Allow extra travel time in the morning and evening.
Train + taxi
This is a straightforward and predictable way to travel. From Brussels Airport, take a train to Verviers-Central station, and from there you can take a taxi (about 20 minutes) or catch a special shuttle to the circuit (~ 45 minutes).
Taxi
Fast but not budget-friendly. From Brussels, expect to pay around €220 per car, and on race weekend, allow up to 2.5 to 3 hours for the journey.
Organiser transfer
The official race website and ticket operators often offer transfers from Brussels and Liège directly to the circuit gates. It’s more expensive than the train, but it removes the hassle of logistics. Travel time from Brussels can take 2.5-3.5 hours due to traffic on race weekend.
Where to stay
As with major events throughout Europe, accommodation must be booked 4-6 months in advance. Ideally, do this right after purchasing your tickets.
Estimated prices for a double room:
- In Pitlane Lodge in Stavelot ~€110,
- In Le Relais de Pommard in Francorchamps ~€129,
- In Silva Hotel Spa-Balmoral in Spa ~€166.
- In Verviers, you can find options from €105 to €122 for a double room.
On race weekend, even a 10 km journey along forest roads can turn into a multi-hour traffic jam. If you’re driving, leave for the circuit no later than 8:00 AM. Official City Shuttles run from Liège and Brussels directly to the circuit (tickets ~€65 per day).
Tickets and grandstands
Tickets for the Belgian Grand Prix usually go on sale at the end of the year or the beginning of the following year. Official channels are the circuit and Formula-1 websites, and for 2026, tickets are already on sale.
General Admission – this is the most affordable option (from €220 / about 880 AED for 3 days). This means you won’t have a fixed seat. You choose the zone where you want to be (hillsides along the track, the Kemmel Straight, the area near La Source). The atmosphere is fantastic, but you need to arrive early to get a spot with a good view.
Grandstands – you purchase a specific seat on a grandstand. The most expensive and prestigious spots are near the start/finish line and at Eau Rouge, offering a view of the famous corner complex. The price varies depending on the track perspective (from ~€450 / ~1800 AED).
Gold and Silver packages – These include not only tickets for the best seats (with views of key corners), but also access to the paddock club, a pit lane walk, and lunches. Prices start from ~€650 / ~2600 AED.
Children under 5 enter for free (on a parent’s lap). Tickets for children aged 6-12 are sold at a discount.
Important: Spa-Francorchamps is one of the few tracks where the GA zones are very well positioned. You can feel the spirit of the race standing just ten meters from the track. For many, this is even cooler than sitting on a grandstand.
Schengen visa: the most important things for UAE residents in 2026
Let’s address the question: Do you need a visa? It all depends on your passport.
– Citizens of the UAE do not need a visa. You can stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Simply present your passport at passport control.
– UAE residents with a passport from another country need to apply for a Schengen visa. This is a standard tourist visa (Type C). You should apply at the Embassy of Belgium, as it is your main destination country for the trip.
How to apply for a Belgium schengen visa from the UAE
The process is standard for all Schengen countries. Here is a step-by-step plan.
- Determine that Belgium is your main country. If you are traveling for 5 days, spending 3 days in Belgium for the race and 2 days in France, you submit your application to the Belgian consulate.
- Fill out, print, and sign the application form from the visa application centre’s website.
- Book an appointment at a visa application centre (in Dubai or Abu Dhabi). Appointments can be booked up a month in advance, so don’t delay. Hand in your documents at least 6 weeks before the race
- Gather your document package.
- Attend the appointment with all originals and copies. Get your biometrics done (photo and fingerprints) and pay the consular fee.
- Wait for the decision. It usually takes 15 calendar days, but during the summer period, it can take 3–4 weeks.
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Documents for a schengen visa
This is a standard list, but each item has nuances. Let’s break it down in order.
- Passport valid for at least 3 months after your return. Issued within the last 10 years, with two blank pages.
- UAE residence visa valid for at least 3 months after your return.
- Two colour photographs according to Schengen standards.
- Completed and signed application form.
- Flight tickets (round-trip) and hotel reservations for all days of the trip.
- Bank statement for the last 3–6 months. It should show you have sufficient funds for the trip. A rough guide is €95 per person per day.
- Employment letter (on company letterhead, with stamp and signature). It must state your position, salary, and that you have been granted leave.
- Medical travel insurance with coverage of at least €30,000 for the entire duration of the trip.
- Proof of intention to attend the race (purchased tickets or a booking screenshot).
Schengen visa fees
- Adults (12 years and older): €90 (~360–390 AED).
- Children (6–11 years): €45 (~183 AED).
- Children under 6: Free.
The service fee of the visa application centre will be approximately 130 AED per application (paid separately at the time of submission).
Key points to consider when applying for a visa
- Legally, you can only submit documents through a visa application centre or directly to the Belgian consulate.
- During summer, the workload on visa application centres increases. There are many applications, so processing times may lengthen. Plan your appointment well in advance.
- Your document package must be complete. Even the absence of a single certificate could be grounds for refusal.
- The main destination rule. After the race, many plan to visit Paris or Amsterdam. This is allowed. Crucially, you must state in your application that you will be spending the most nights in Belgium.
Why choose us for your visa application?
The Belgian Grand Prix is an event definitely worth the trip. We do not guarantee visa approval, the final decision is up to the consul. But we do everything to ensure your application is impeccable. We know the UAE market very well and understand the specifics of submitting documents through local visa application centres. We also know how to prepare a persuasive cover letter if your income comes from different sources or if family members hold passports from different countries.
Planning for the 2026 Grand Prix?
Contact our team – we will review your documents
The race will take place from July 17-19, 2026, at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in the Belgian Ardennes.
For UAE citizens, no. For residents with passports from other countries, yes, a Schengen visa is required.
The price of a 3-day General Admission ticket starts from approximately €220 (~880 AED). Grandstand seats near Eau Rouge will cost several times more.
Usually 15 calendar days, but during the summer peak, it can take up to 4 weeks. Submit your application 6 weeks before your trip.
Yes. A Schengen visa is valid in all 29 countries of the zone. The main rule is to apply at the embassy of the country where you will spend the most time.
-Comfortable trainers. Parking is far from the circuit, so you will have to walk a lot.
-A waterproof and windproof jacket in case of sudden weather changes.
Thermal underwear and layers of clothing, as it can be cool in the morning and evening, but hot during the day.
-A hat and gloves to protect against the wind on open grandstands and hillsides.
-A raincoat and sunscreen.
-A folding chair or a travel blanket if you have General Admission tickets.
