Registration in Belgium
Like most other countries, newcomers in Belgium have to register. Local registration leads to a tax number, otherwise known as the National Number (Rijksregisternummer / Numéro de registre national. This 11-digit number appears on the Belgian ID card or residence permit and is used for taxes, social security, and other official processes.
But how do you register in Belgium?
Multiple steps
Registration in Belgium is a rather complex process, that consists of four steps. If one of the steps is not followed correctly, the registration process will have a delay.
|
|
NAME OF STEP |
DESCRIPTION |
TIMING |
|
STEP 1 |
Starting the registration process |
Contact town hall to initiate the registration process |
As soon as possible upon arrival in Belgium |
|
STEP 2 |
Residence verification by local police |
Local police visits your address to check if you live there |
Approximately 2-4 weeks after completing STEP 1 |
|
STEP 3 |
Town hall visit |
Visit town hall to apply for electronic residence card |
Approximately 2 weeks after completing STEP 2 |
|
STEP 4 |
Town hall visit |
Visit town hall to pick up electronic residence card |
Depending on selected procedure |
1. Starting the registration process
To start up the registration process, Anywr has special arrangements with certain Belgian town halls and can begin the registration process by email. For others, you will need to go to the local office in person with or without our accompaniment.
2. Address verification by local police
Following the initial town hall visit, a police officer will visit your home to check whether you and your family members actually live there and have established residence. The police will then forward a positive report to the town hall.
3. Town hall visit: ordering the residence cards – Anywr consultant will accompany you
Once the town hall has received the positive police report, you will receive an invitation to visit the town hall a second time. At this point, you will finalize your registration and request your electronic residence card. You will receive your Belgium national registration number. All family members should be present when visiting the town hall.
4. Last hall visit: collecting the residence cards
Approximately 2-3 weeks after the second visit, you and your family will each receive a letter to notify you that the electronic residence card is ready to be collected at the town hall. This letter will include the PIN and PUK codes for the electronic residence card. Please take the codes with you when visiting the town hall as you will need them to activate the card.
What document to bring :
EU citizens (+ Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) have to apply for an electronic residence card (EU card), valid for up to 5 years.
Non-EU citizens apply for an electronic residence card linked to their work authorization (single permit – A card valid for the duration of the work authorization or European Blue card – H card valid for 2 or 3 years depending the region)
There are many other residence permits for family, permanent residence, etc…
Registration in Belgium
As you can see, the standard registration process for newcomers is complex. Different rules in different town halls (to illustrate; Brussels has 19 town halls (communes) all with their own set of rules) make it even harder to understand what one has to do, and when.
HR can play an important role in the preparations, by
How can Anywr Belgium help
Anywr Belgium has in depth knowledge of the registration process in Belgium. We know all town halls (communes) and their requirements. You can trust us with this organization, we happily guide your employees through this maze of bureaucracy.
More info
Would you like to receive more information about how Anywr Belgium can help you to stay compliant? Or any other relocation topic? Please contact us at hello@anywr-group.be and you’ll receive our reaction within one working day.