Traffic across the Belgian capital is being disrupted by a farmers' protest which coincides with an EU summit today.
Around 10,000 farmers from over 40 groups from all EU Member States are expected to take to the streets of Brussels to denounce the impact of EU agricultural policy and the controversial EU trade agreement with Mercosur countries.
In a statement signed by nine European agri-food groups, sector representatives explained that the safeguards proposed in relation to the trade deal "remain insufficient to prevent market disruptions" and fail to ensure “a genuine level playing field” for European farmers and manufacturers.
Due to the protest, local police are urging Brussels residents to avoid travelling by car and to work from home if possible.
Traffic disruptions until late afternoon
Farmers gathered from 9 am near the Brussels North Station. They were expected to start the demonstration at 11 am across the capital towards Place du Luxembourg, where farmers were expected to arrive from 2.30 pm until around 5 pm, according to the City of Brussels.
However, shortly after 2 pm, Belga News Agency reported that the demonstration was dispersed by organisers at around 1.45pm on the Brussels small ring road.
A fire at the Place du Luxembourg during a farmers' protest to denounce the reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and a trade agreement, in Brussels, on Thursday 18 December 2025. Credit: Belga/Emile Windal
Nonetheless, hundred of farmers are reportedly still heading for the European quarter, where acts of vandalism and clashes between authorities and protesters have been reported throughout the day.
Ahead of the demonstration, police closed several roads to traffic. This includes Boulevard Roi Albert II, Boulevard du Jardin Botanique, Boulevard Bischoffsheim, Avenue des Arts, Avenue du Régent, Rue de la Loi, Rue de Trèves, Rue Montoyer, Rue Marie de Bourgogne, Rue du Luxembourg, and Place du Luxembourg.
The original route of the protest. Credit: Brussels Mobility
On Thursday morning, local police confirmed that Rue Belliard was also closed for traffic. Further disruptions are also expected in the streets around Rue de la Loi and the European quarter until at least late afternoon.
Several tunnels have also been closed to traffic on Thursday morning. In addition to the Reyers-Centre tunnel, the Trône tunnel (direction rue Belliard), the tunnels Annie Cordy, Rogier and Botanique (direction Midi) are also closed, according to Brussels Mobility.
Tractors seen in Brussels for a farmers protest on Thursday 18 December 2025. Credit: Belga/Pauline Michel
Earlier this week, a spokesperson for the agricultural group Copa-Cogeca told The Brussels Times that there were no plans to put up blockades at the Brussels ring road or block traffic in Belgium.
However, on Thursday morning, a blockade was set up with around a hundred tractors on the Brussels ring road near Sint-Stevens-Woluwe, according to the Flemish Traffic Centre
More information on real-time disruptions will be available throughout the day via the official social media channels of the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone or the online traffic updates by Brussels Mobility.
Disrupted transport services
Brussels public transport services have been disrupted by the protest today.
Ahead of the demonstration, the transport operator STIB/MIVB announced that access to the Arts-Loi metro station via entrances number 1 and 2 (towards boulevard du Régent and rue de la Loi) will be closed from 11 am on Thursday.
The entrances number 2 and 5 to the Maelbeek metro station (towards rue de la Loi) will also be closed from 12 pm.
Additionally, several bus lines were adapted or diverted today due to the closure of Rue du Luxembourg and Place du Luxembourg between 10 am and 8 pm. This includes bus lines 12, 21, 27, 34, 64, 38, 80, and 95.
MIVB-STIB logo on a tram. Credit: Belga/Laurie Dieffembacq
However, the transport operator warned on Wednesday that more disruptions may be possible throughout the day on additional bus lines and on tram lines.
On Thursday morning, STIB noted disruptions on bus lines 12, 21, 36, 56, 59, 60, 64, 79.
At around 12.30pm, the transport operator announced that tram 39, 44 and 81 were running as normal after having been disrupted earlier in the day. However, it warned that traffic in the European Quarter and city centre was still "severely disrupted".
Passengers can find the latest information on the public transport network via the STIB app or website.
Protest meets summit disruptions
The protest will add to the Brussels traffic disruptions caused by the EU summit, which will end on Friday, 19 December.
The Reyers tunnel will be closed to traffic throughout the summit, while a security perimeter will remain in place until the end of Friday.
Security perimeter map. Credit: Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone
The perimeter includes the Schuman roundabout, Rue Froissart from number 101 to 143, and Rue de la Loi between the Schuman roundabout and the Residence Palace, and between the Schuman roundabout and Le Boulevard Charlemagne.
Traffic in this "safety zone” is strictly prohibited except for authorised vehicles and pedestrians working or living in the area who have an approved pass.
Moreover, deliveries, outdoor seating, bicycles, and rubbish bags are not permitted within the security perimeter. Additionally, the windows of the buildings within the perimeter must be closed.
Parking & local traffic
Parking of any vehicle is forbidden within the security perimeter, routes taken by the delegations, Chaussée d’Etterbeek (between rue Belliard and rue Van Maerlant), rue Van Maerlant, rue Belliard (between Chaussée d’Etterbeek and Avenue d’Auderghem) and in streets where only local traffic is permitted.
Traffic circulation plan. Credit: Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone
Local traffic without a pass is permitted on the following streets:
- Rue Archimède (between rue Stevin and the Schuman roundabout)
- Avenue de Cortenbergh (between rue Stevin and the Schuman roundabout, with limited access during escorts)
- Rue de la Loi (between avenue de la Joyeuse Entrée and the Schuman roundabout)
- Avenue de la Joyeuse Entrée
- Avenue d’Auderghem (between rue de la Loi and the Schuman roundabout)
- Rue Breydel
- Rue Froissart (between rue Juste Lipse and the rue Belliard)
- Rue Juste Lipse
Diverted transport during the summit
The Schuman metro station will remain open throughout the summit.
However, metro station entrances number 4 (Residence Palace), 5 (Justus Lipsius), 6 (to Rue Froissartstraat), 7 and 8 (Rue Archimède and Schuman roundabout) will be closed.
Nonetheless, it will remain possible to access the SNCB/NMBS train station (at the Berlaymont side), with the entrance for people with reduced mobility located at rue de la Loi, next to the Lex.
Metro Station Schuman. Credit: Belga/Paul-Henri Verlooy
Meanwhile, bus lines 59 and 60 (direction Bordet Station and Ambiorix) are diverted throughout the summit between Natation/Varia and Maelbeek via the avenue du Maelbeek.
Similarly, bus line 80 (direction Porte de Namur) is diverted between Leman and Jourdan via the rue Belliard, while bus 27 (direction Luxembourg) and 36 (direction Maelbeek) are diverted around the Froissart stop.
This article was updated on Thursday 18 December at 2.38 am.
