Visa and residence permit for Belgium
Before leaving: determine the right document according to your nationality and the purpose of your stay. For short stays without visa, use the 90/180 calculator below to check your remaining days.
Schengen 90 / 180 calculator
The rule: any third-country national (without long-stay visa or Belgian E/F card) can only stay 90 days out of the last 180 in the Schengen area — all countries cumulated (FR, ES, IT, DE…).
Date of your next departure or today. The calculation looks at the previous 180 days.
You're within the limits
Detail per stay:
- Stay 1 (11/04/2026 → 11/05/2026)31 j
Informational tool. For a disputed situation, consult the Immigration Office or an immigration lawyer — even an overstay of a few days can lead to a Schengen entry ban.
Which visa for which nationality?
Three main categories. Find yours, then the purpose of your stay.
No formalities. You can move and stay freely across the entire Schengen area.
No visa. For stays > 3 months, register at the municipality within 8 days of arrival → E card (annex 8). You must prove enrolment in a recognised institution and sufficient means of subsistence.
No work permit needed. You can sign a contract directly. For stays > 3 months, registration at the municipality and E card.
Streamlined family reunification. The non-EU family member can obtain an F card (5 years renewable) by proving the relationship and means of the EU citizen.
90 days out of 180 without a visa. Count carefully: these are 90 days cumulated across the entire Schengen area (not just Belgium). Use the calculator below.
For studies > 90 days: D visa long stay student required, to be requested at the Belgian consulate in the country of origin. Acceptance letter from a recognised institution + proof of means (~€700/month) + insurance.
To work > 90 days: single permit (combined residence + work) requested by the Belgian employer from the competent region (BXL, WAL, FLA). D visa issued afterwards. The EU Blue Card is an alternative for high salaries (> €53,247/year in 2025).
Family reunification with a settled Belgian or non-EU resident: D visa family, file at the consulate. Delays 6-12 months.
Visa C tourist to be requested 6 weeks before departure at the Belgian consulate in the country of residence. Supporting documents: travel insurance minimum €30,000, means of subsistence ~€95/day, accommodation, return ticket.
Visa D student. Complete file at the consulate (acceptance letter, financial means, medical certificate, good conduct certificate legalised/apostilled). Delays 3-4 months.
The Belgian employer first requests the single permit from the region. If granted, the worker requests the D visa at the consulate with the work authorisation. Total delay ~3 months.
Family reunification: D visa + Immigration Office path. Strict conditions (minimum income of the sponsor, housing, insurance).
Good practices before leaving
- Plan 2-3 months ahead for a Visa C, 3-4 months for a Visa D. Consular delays vary by season (rush in May-August for students).
- Documents to apostille in the country of origin: birth certificate, good conduct certificate, diplomas. Apostille / legalisation procedures often take 2-4 weeks.
- Travel insurance minimum €30,000 covering the entire Schengen area — required for Visa C, strongly recommended even without visa.
- Proof of housing: lease, accommodation attestation (annex 3bis), hotel booking — all accepted according to the purpose.
- Means of subsistence: for a Visa C, count ~€95 / day for a standard stay; ~€45 if hosted by a relative.
Good to know