Moving to Belgium from abroad

Do you want to move to Belgium from abroad? Then you need to get these things in order and pay attention to these things!

Contents

• Moving to Belgium
  • What do you need to get in order before you move?
  • What do you need to put in order after moving?
  • What about voting for politics?
  • Obtaining Belgian citizenship

Moving to Belgium

What do you need to get in order before you move?

Always needed

• Check the validity of your identity card, passport within the country you are moving to or apply for a visa. Some EU identity cards (if valid) allow you to move to Belgium. If your identity card is not accepted, you will need a valid passport or visa.
• Check that your current driver’s license is valid in the country you are moving to.
• Unsubscribe from the municipality in which you currently live.
• Gather your legal documents: birth certificate, marriage certificate, health certificate, proof of deregistration in the country where you currently live, lease or proof of ownership of your future home.

Tip: Will your documents such as identity card, passport and/or driver’s license expire soon and are they valid in the country you are moving to? Then renew them before you move.

Check if you can “take” or need to transfer these items (if applicable)

• Diploma.
• Child support.
• Pension plan.
• Tax return.
• Loans (mortgage, student debt).
• Insurance (healthcare, fire safety).
• Benefits (sickness, disability, unemployment).
• Car (vehicle itself, papers, insurance, license plate).
• Special property (weapons, food, protected plant and animal life).

What do you need to put in order after moving?

Upon arrival in Belgium, you must register in the population register at the municipality where you will live within 8 days. To do this, you will need the following documents:

• Valid passport or identity card
• Lease or proof of ownership of your property
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Proof of deregistration (not always required, but can be useful)

What about voting for politics?

Register with your Belgian municipality to vote in the elections.

• Do you want to vote in local and European elections? Then you have the right to vote if you are an EU citizen.
• Do you want to vote in national elections? Then you must have Belgian nationality.

Obtaining Belgian citizenship

The House of Representatives decides on the granting of Belgian nationality. This is how you apply for the grant:

• Do you live abroad? Apply for naturalization at the Belgian embassy.
• Do you already live in Belgium? Then apply through your municipal office.

Sources: Belgium, FPS Foreign Affairs

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