All foreign nationals coming to Belgium for a stay of more than 90 days must obtain a residence permit.
An EU national is granted a temporary residence permit valid for three to five months, which can be renewed for a further three months once you’ve found a job and been registered with the Belgian Social Security system. You may then apply for an identity card and to be officially registered in the foreign population register. To obtain a temporary residence permit, simply register at the town hall of the commune where you’re staying within three days of your arrival in Belgium.
Non EU-nationals must register with their local commune within eight days of their arrival in Belgium, even if they’re living in temporary accommodation. You’ll need your residence visa to qualify for a temporary residence permit. Within two weeks of moving to a permanent residence, you must apply for a foreigner identity card and to be officially registered in the foreign population register.
To apply for your identity card, whether you’re an EU national or not, you and family members over the age of 21 must go to the town hall in person to register. Children under the age of 12 will be issued a ‘name card’, while children between the ages of 12 and 15 can apply for a child’s card or an adult identity card. To apply for an identity card, each applicant needs three passport-size photos, a medical certificate, a police certificate ( certificat de bonne vie), plus a work permit and visa if you’re a non-EU national. The charge for the application varies from commune to commune, but is usually around €7.50. In some communes you may have to be fingerprinted.
All residents of Belgium over the age of 12 are required to carry their identity cards with them at all times. Though random ID checks are no longer permitted under Belgian law, a police officer can ask to see your identity card if he has ‘reasonable cause’ to suspect you of having committed a crime. If you can’t produce your card, you can be held under ‘administrative arrest’ for up to 12 hours until your identity and your right to be in Belgium can be officially established. Children under the age of 12 must have their name cards with them (usually carried in a plastic envelope worn around their necks) any time they aren’t with their parents. While you’re waiting for your identity card to be issued, it’s sensible to carry your passport with you at all times. Foreigner identity cards are renewable every year, and you must apply for a new card within eight days of moving home, even within the same commune.
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