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Practical guide

Your settling-in procedures in Belgium

The journey in order: what to do, within which timeframe, with which documents. Regionalised for Brussels, Wallonia and Flanders.

Keep in mind

Belgian administrative procedures are constantly evolving. The official links below remain the reference source — this guide is a memory aid, not a legal document.

On arrival

First steps within 8 days of arriving in Belgium.

1Declaration of arrival at the commune
Within 8 days
Every foreign national settling in Belgium must register at the commune of their residence within 8 days of arrival.

Documents to bring

  • Valid passport / ID card
  • Signed lease or proof of accommodation
  • Recent passport-style photos (2 to 4 depending on commune)
  • Birth certificate (with apostille / translation if non-EU)

Official links

💡 Book online before going — most communes refuse walk-ins.

2Residence check by the police
2 to 8 weeks after the declaration
A neighbourhood officer drops by your home (without notice) to verify that you actually live there. You must be present or leave a note with your availability.

Prerequisites : Declaration of arrival at the commune

Documents to bring

  • ID document
  • Lease or proof of residence to show in case of absence (note on the door)

💡 If you work during the day, leave a note with a phone number and the hours when you can be reached.

Identity & National Number

Obtaining the National Register Number (NN) and residence permit or eID.

3National Register Number (NN)
Issued 4 to 12 weeks after the residence check
Unique 11-digit identifier issued automatically after your registration. Required for everything: bank, health insurance, employer, taxes.

Prerequisites : Declaration of arrival at the commune, Residence check by the police

Official links

💡 Note it down as soon as you receive it — you'll use it for most online procedures via itsme or eID.

4eID (Belgians) or residence permit (foreigners)
Issued within 2 to 3 weeks after the NN
Electronic ID card for Belgians and long-term EU residents (eID), or residence permit A/B/E/F depending on your status. Allows online authentication (taxes, health insurance, bank).

Prerequisites : National Register Number (NN)

Documents to bring

  • ID photo in eID format (white background, some communes take the photo on site)
  • PIN/PUK code received by separate mail
  • Fee: ~€25

Official links

💡 Activate itsme as soon as you have your eID — you'll avoid 90 % of future login headaches.

Healthcare

Joining a health insurance fund and accessing care.

1Joining a health insurance fund (mutualité)
As soon as possible — medical costs are not reimbursed otherwise
Legal obligation in Belgium. Free choice among liberal, socialist, christian, neutral funds, or the public CAAMI/HZIV. The additional contribution ranges from 0 to ~€12/month.

Prerequisites : National Register Number (NN)

Documents to bring

  • National Register Number
  • Household composition
  • Employer attestation or registration as self-employed / job seeker / student

Official links

💡 Compare additional benefits (orthodontics, optics, travel) before choosing — basic reimbursements are identical everywhere.

Diplomas & employment

Recognition of foreign diplomas and work-related registrations.

1Equivalence of foreign diplomas
Recommended before any job application
To have a diploma obtained outside Belgium recognized. The procedure differs by region and level (secondary / higher education).

Documents to bring

  • Original diploma + sworn translation (if not FR/NL/EN/DE)
  • Complete transcript of the curriculum
  • Official syllabus of the courses taken
  • Fee: ~€75 to €200

Official links

💡 Allow 4 to 8 months. Start the procedure as soon as you arrive if you plan to look for a job.

2Registering as a job seeker
Within 8 days of job loss or arrival
If you are unemployed, registration with the regional service is mandatory to receive job-search support and maintain your social rights.

Prerequisites : National Register Number (NN)

Documents to bring

  • eID or residence permit
  • Up-to-date CV
  • Diplomas (originals or equivalence in progress)

Official links

💡 Take advantage of free training (languages, IT, shortage occupations) — often open to employed workers too.

Family

Child benefits, childcare, schools.

1Child benefit application
From registration of the child at the commune
Monthly automatic payment for each child from 0 to 18 years (or 25 years if studying). Regionalized since 2019 — amounts and rules differ by region.

Documents to bring

  • Child's National Register Number
  • Birth certificate
  • Household composition

Official links

💡 If you arrive mid-year, payment is retroactive to the month of registration at the commune.

2Daycare / school registration
Daycare: ~1 year in advance. School: according to regional calendar
Daycares are saturated in big cities — registration during pregnancy is recommended. School is mandatory from 5 to 18 years, registration via a regional procedure.

Documents to bring

  • Birth certificate / proof of filiation
  • Household composition
  • Health record / vaccinations up to date

Official links

💡 In Brussels, international schools (EEB, BSB, ISB, EEII) are an alternative to commune schools — count €12,000 to €30,000/year.