Updated in October 2026.

Commune registration in Belgium

Registering at your commune is the first official step when you settle in Belgium. It gives you your address in the national register, then your residence card. Here is how it works.

Who needs to register, and when

Everyone who settles in Belgium for more than three months registers at the commune where they live.

If you come from outside the European Union, report to your commune within 8 working days of arriving. If you are an EU citizen, register within the first three months.

When you later move within Belgium, you declare your new address within 8 working days.

What to bring

• Your passport or national identity card
• Proof of your address, usually your signed rental contract
• Recent passport photos, if your commune asks for them
• If you come from outside the EU, your visa or residence authorisation
• Any document linked to your situation, such as an employment contract, a student certificate or proof of income

Each commune publishes its own list. Check it before the appointment, it saves a second visit.

How it goes

• Book an appointment with the population service, often online and sometimes weeks ahead
• Go to the appointment with your documents
• A neighbourhood police officer visits your home to check that you live there
• You receive a letter to collect your electronic residence card, then a separate letter with its PIN codes

Common pitfalls

• Waiting too long to book, while appointments fill up quickly
• A rental contract that is not signed by both parties
• Not being home for the police visit, which delays everything
• A name missing on the letterbox, so the officer cannot find you

This guide gives general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees can differ between communes, so always check your commune's website.

Practical guides

• How to get mutuelle reimbursements in Belgium
• Moving to Belgium, your checklist