Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest

Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest
Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest
Participating broadcaster	Radio-télévision belge de la communauté française (RTBF; 1978–present) Formerly Institut national belge de radiodiffusion (INR; 1956–1960) ; Radio-Télévision Belge (RTB; 1961–1977) ; Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroep (VRT; 1998–present) Formerly Nationaal Instituut voor de Radio-omroep (NIR; 1956–1960) ; Belgische Radio- en Televisieomroep (BRT; 1961–1990) ; Belgische Radio- en Televisieomroep Nederlandstalige Uitzendingen (BRTN; 1991–1997) ;
Participation summary
Appearances	65 (55 finals)
First appearance	1956
Highest placement	1st: 1986
Host	1987
	Participation history 1956; 1957; 1958; 1959; 1960; 1961; 1962; 1963; 1964; 1965; 1966; 1967; 1968; 1969; 1970; 1971; 1972; 1973; 1974; 1975; 1976; 1977; 1978; 1979; 1980; 1981; 1982; 1983; 1984; 1985; 1986; 1987; 1988; 1989; 1990; 1991; 1992; 1993; 1994; 1995; 1996; 1997; 1998; 1999; 2000; 2001; 2002; 2003; 2004; 2005; 2006; 2007; 2008; 2009; 2010; 2011; 2012; 2013; 2014; 2015; 2016; 2017; 2018; 2019; 2020; 2021; 2022; 2023; 2024; ;
External links
	RTBF page; VRT page;
	Belgium's page at Eurovision.tv
	For the most recent participation see; Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024

Belgium has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 65 times since making its debut as one of seven countries at the first contest in 1956. The only countries with more appearances are Germany (67), France (66) and the United Kingdom (66). Belgium have been absent only three times in total, in 1994, 1997, and 2001, due to low scores in the previous contests that relegated them from the contest. Belgium has won the contest once, in 1986.

In the first 20 years of the contest, Belgium's best result was a fourth place with "Un peu de poivre, un peu de sel" performed by Tonia in 1966. In 1978, "L'amour ça fait chanter la vie" by Jean Vallée achieved Belgium's first top three placement, when it was second. "J'aime la vie" became the first and to date only win for Belgium in 1986, performed by a 13-year-old Sandra Kim. Belgium's only other top three result came in 2003, when "Sanomi" by Urban Trad finished second, losing out by only two points. Belgium has finished last in the contest eight times, most recently in 2000, and has twice received nul points, in 1962 and 1965.

After the introduction of the semi-finals in 2004, Belgium failed to reach the final for five consecutive years (2005–09). Since 2010, Belgium has become more successful, qualifying for the final in eight out of 14 contests and placing in the top ten five times, with "Me and My Guitar" by Tom Dice (sixth in 2010), "Rhythm Inside" by Loïc Nottet (fourth in 2015), "What's the Pressure" by Laura Tesoro (tenth in 2016), "City Lights" by Blanche (fourth in 2017), and "Because of You" by Gustaph (seventh in 2023).