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Country-Specific Guides

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Belgium

Capital: Brussels

Last verified: 2026-02-20

Fees, fines, and deadlines are approximate and may change. Always verify with official sources.

Key Registrations & Procedures

Municipal Registration (Inscription Communale)

Local Municipality (Commune/Gemeente)

Deadline: Register within 8 working days of arrival
Processing Time: Registration is immediate. A local police officer may visit your address within 15 days to verify. Full process: 2–4 weeks.
💰Fees: Free in most communes. Some charge a small admin fee (€5–€10).
📅Appointment: Varies by commune. Brussels communes often require appointments; Flanders/Wallonia communes are usually walk-in.
Required Documents:
  • Valid passport or EU/EEA national ID card
  • Proof of address — rental contract (bail/huurcontract) or property deed
  • Proof of employment, self-employment, or sufficient resources (bank statement)
  • Health insurance proof (European Health Insurance Card or Belgian mutualité enrollment)
Where to Do It:

Go to the Population Office (Service Population / Dienst Bevolking) at your local commune. Brussels has 19 separate communes — you must register at the one where you live.

If You Don't Do It:

Fines for late registration vary by commune, typically €50–€250. Without registration you may not be able to access healthcare, open a bank account, or get a Belgian phone contract.

Regional Variations: Brussels has 19 communes each with their own rules. Flanders and Wallonia have separate processes. Bilingual (FR/NL) forms in Brussels.
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EU Registration Card (Annexe 19 / Bijlage 19)

Municipal Administration / Immigration Office

Deadline: Applied for during municipal registration. Issued after address verification.
Processing Time: Annexe 19 issued immediately. Replaced by Annexe 8 (permanent card) after police verification — typically 2–6 weeks.
💰Fees: €5–€25 depending on commune
📅Appointment: Same appointment as municipal registration.
Required Documents:
  • Valid passport or EU/EEA national ID card
  • Proof of residence (rental contract)
  • Proof of activity — employment contract, school enrollment, or financial means
  • 2 passport-sized photos
Where to Do It:

Issued at the same commune where you register. The commune forwards your file to the Immigration Office (Office des Étrangers / Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken) for processing.

If You Don't Do It:

Without the EU card you may not be able to prove legal residence, which affects employment, banking, and healthcare enrollment.

Regional Variations: Valid nationwide after issuance. Same process across regions.
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National Number (Numéro National) & Tax Registration

Automatically assigned upon municipal registration / SPF Finances

Deadline: National Number is assigned automatically. Tax registration happens when you file your first return or start employment.
Processing Time: National Number: immediate upon registration. Tax Number: within 2 weeks of employer notification.
💰Fees: Free
📅Appointment: No appointment needed — assigned automatically.
Required Documents:
  • Municipal registration confirmation
  • Employment contract (if applicable)
  • For self-employed: BCE/KBO business registration number
Where to Do It:

The National Number is assigned by the National Register during municipal registration. For tax matters, contact your local SPF Finances office or use MyMinfin (tax.be) online portal.

If You Don't Do It:

Without a National Number you effectively may not be able to work, access healthcare, or interact with government services in Belgium.

Regional Variations: Same process nationwide. Online services available in FR, NL, and DE.
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