Register as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen living in Belgium

Your reason for staying decides which documents you bring

If you stay beyond a short visit, you register with the foreigners’ department of your municipality. You say whether you work, are self-employed, study, look for work, have enough means or join a family member, and bring matching proof. A police visit checks your address, and the Immigration Office may be asked to confirm your right of stay before you can order an EU residence card.

Find your officeBrowse services

How it works

Register residence as an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen

Get the residence certificate EU, EEA and Swiss citizens need for a longer stay.

As an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, you can live in another EU or EEA country, but for stays of more than three months you often have to register your residence and get a certificate. You usually show your passport or ID card and proof that you work, study, have enough money and health insurance, or are a family member. After five years you can apply for a document confirming permanent residence. This is separate from registering your address with the municipality, although some countries handle both at once. Swiss citizens may have their own procedure.

Also searched as

EU registration certificateresidence certificate for EU citizensEU citizen residenceEEA residence certificatepermanent residence certificateSwiss citizen residencegreen NIE certificate

At a glance

Offices
36 offices in 28 cities
Book online
At 19 of 36 offices
Apply online
At 6 of 36 offices
Offices for specific groups
  • For EU, EEA and Swiss citizens: 20 offices
  • For international students: 8 offices

Each municipality sets its own first step

Where to register your stay

You register in the municipality where you live. Some offices ask you to pick a category when you book, some invite you once your file is complete, and students may have their own desk. Confirm opening times and booking rules before you travel.

See registration offices

Related services

Other everyday services in Belgium

Social assistance in Belgium

For people who cannot cover rent, food or other essentials: what the local social welfare centre can arrange and how to ask for an appointment.

106 offices · 30 cities

Proof of your registered address in Belgium

A paper or digital certificate showing where you are registered, with versions for address history or household. Find the municipal office that issues it.

80 offices · 31 cities

Digital ID and eID help

Reset an eID PIN, replace activation codes or set up a digital key for online services. Useful for residents, residence card holders and some non-residents.

77 offices · 30 cities

Applying for or renewing a Belgian ID card

The eID for teenagers and adults and the Kids-ID for children. See how applying works and find the municipal office that handles your card.

69 offices · 30 cities

Reporting a move within Belgium

For anyone who has moved house in Belgium. See who reports, what happens after the address check and which office handles it in your new town.

68 offices · 31 cities

Birth, marriage or death certificate in Belgium

Learn whether you need an extract or a full copy, who can request it and how to reach the civil registry office in your municipality.

66 offices · 31 cities
Browse services

Other countries

The same task in other countries

Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.

Where to next

EU residence registration offices

Foreigners’ desks in Belgian cities that register EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, with how to start and what proof they expect at the first visit.

EU registration offices in Belgium

Explore more

Jump straight to another part of the manual.