Residency Permits in Belgium

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Residency Permits in Belgium

All people who plan to stay in Belgium for more than three months are considered residents and must prove that they are entitled to reside in Belgium.

Residency requirements vary according to nationality, profession and reason for staying in Belgium.

Residency Requirements

Residency requirements are determined by the applicants nationality: 

• Nationals of a European Union country, nationals of the European Economic Area (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), nationals of Switzerland and their respective families

• Non-EU nationals and nationals of the most recent member states

EU and EEA nationals do not need a visa or work permit to enter Belgium.

Non-EU nationals and new EU Member State nationals may need a visa and do need a work permit in order to work in Belgium.

• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Work Permits in Belgium
• To find out which nationalities need a visa to enter Belgium: Click here 

Registration and Identity Cards

All people over the age of 12 and resident in Belgium are issued electronic identity cards in Belgium. All card holders over 15 years of age must carry this identity card at all times unless they are within 200 metres of their home. These cards bear a photo of the holder and contain a chip containing personal information; biometric and fingerprint data will eventually be required on each card. Foreigners may carry a passport or an identity card, though if they are Belgian residents, they must carry their electronic residence/identity card. Cards are generally valid for five years and are not renewable; a new card must be obtained just before expiration.

• For more information from the Ministry for Foreigners: Click here (in French)

As of October 2009, the Belgian government was developing a plan for children under the age of 12 to carry an electronic identification card.

Organisations involved in the registration process

Local municipalities (commune/gemeente) are responsible for registering foreign residents and issuing identity cards. This must be done at the local Town Hall (Maison Communale/Stadhuis). Check with the office for exact documentation requirements.

• For a full list of local authority contact details: Click here (select the link at the bottom of the page)

The Ministry for Foreigners (Office des étrangers/Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken) handles immigration and asylum.

• Ministry for Foreigners
  At: World Trade Center, Tour II, Chaussée d’Anvers, 59 B, 1000 Brussels
  Tel: 02 793 80 00
  Fax: 02 274 66 91
  E-mail
  Website

Registration Process - EU and EEA Nationals

Required documents may include:

• A valid passport or identity card issued by their country of origin

• Three passport photographs

• Proof of means of support, such as a letter from an employer (attestation patronale/verklaring van de werkgever)

• Proof of accommodation

• A small registration fee

• In some cases, a birth certificate or marriage certificate (it may be necessary to certify and translate these)

• The spouse

• Descendants of the resident and his/her spouse, aged under 18

• Parents of the resident or his/her spouse

• Spouses of those who qualify under the above two provisions

After registration, the municipality issues the EEA/EU foreigner an “E Card” identity card (la carte électronique pour étrangers/Elektronische vreemdelingenkaart). This card is not a residence permit; it serves as identification and indicates that the holder has been included in the national register. The “E Card” is normally valid for five years.

Non-EU national family members

As with all other foreigners, non-EU family members intending to stay in Belgium for more than 90 days must register with municipal authorities within eight days of arrival in Belgium. After registration, the municipality will issue an “F Card” residency permit for non-EU/EEA family members of EU/EEA nationals. The “F Card” is normally valid for five years.

Registration Process - Non-EU Nationals and Nationals of New EU-member States

Before arrival in Belgium, non-EU nationals must apply for a long-stay visa if it is required. Long-stay visas are only issued for work, study, to live with partners or for family reunification.

Non-EU nationals must register at the nearest municipal office within eight days of arrival in Belgium. Once approved and registered, the registrant will receive a residence permit in the form of one of three types of available cards, depending on the intended duration of their stay:

• A Card (formerly a "White Card"): for temporary stays. Validity period varies.
• B Card (formerly a "White Card"): for a stay of an indefinite period. Normally valid for five years, but possibly less.
• C Card (not a residence permit; formerly a "Yellow Card"): an identity card. Normally valid for five years, but possibly less.
• D Card: for long-term residents. Normally valid for five years, but possibly less.

Documents which may be required:

• A valid passport or identity card issued by the applicants country of origin

• At least three passport photographs

• A certificate of good conduct/criminal background check pertaining to the prior five years (issued by the national police of the former country or countries of residence)

• Proof of accommodation

• Medical certificate from a doctor approved by the Belgian government

• Birth certificate or marriage certificate (it may be necessary to certify and translate these)

• Birth certificates for the children of the applicant

Once resident in Belgium, resident foreigners may travel within Europe to countries that have signed the the Schengen Treaty.

• For a list from the EU of countries in the Schengen area: Click here

Health Insurance

Everyone working under Belgian law has to join a mutual fund (mutualité/mutualiteit), which refunds a fixed percentage of medical care and costs. Workers are free to join any one they choose. The associations represent the different political and religious groups in Belgian society: they can be Christian, liberal, socialist or independent.

• For a list of mutual funds: Click here then on Organismes assureurs (in French) or here then on Verzekeringsinstellingen (in Dutch)
• For further information: Click here (in French) or here (in Dutch)

Related Information

• Official Belgian Federal website
• The Ministry for Foreigners (In Dutch or French only)
• Living in Brussels (official Brussels government advice site)
• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Work Permits in Belgium

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