Online first in many towns, a counter visit when needed
Some municipalities send you to the online route before offering a counter visit, and the checks differ for lost, stolen and damaged licences. Each office explains whether you must apply in person and how you collect the new licence.
Bruges
Dries 2, Assebroek, 8310 Bruges
Apply in person, as nobody can apply for you, and book ahead to avoid waiting.
Bring your eID and existing licence if available. The eID photo can be reused if it still resembles you; otherwise bring a recent compliant photo. For theft, report to police first and bring the report and photograph. After a BelDrive application, collect the licence personally; a representative cannot collect it by proxy.
Bruges
Koolkerkse Steenweg 199, Koolkerke/De Grendel, 8000 Bruges
After a counter application, pick up the new card within three months, because unclaimed ones are destroyed.
Bring your eID and existing licence if available. The eID photo can be reused if it still resembles you; otherwise bring a recent compliant photo. For theft, report to police first and bring the report and photograph. After a BelDrive application, collect the licence personally; a representative cannot collect it by proxy.
Bruges
Albert Serreynstraat 1/002, Sint-Andries, 8200 Bruges
Expect the new licence to be ready after about four working days.
Bring your eID and existing licence if available. The eID photo can be reused if it still resembles you; otherwise bring a recent compliant photo. For theft, report to police first and bring the report and photograph. After a BelDrive application, collect the licence personally; a representative cannot collect it by proxy.
Bruges
Moerkerkse Steenweg 190, Sint-Kruis, 8310 Bruges
Some renewals can be requested online through BelDrive instead of at the counter.
Bring your eID and existing licence if available. The eID photo can be reused if it still resembles you; otherwise bring a recent compliant photo. For theft, report to police first and bring the report and photograph. After a BelDrive application, collect the licence personally; a representative cannot collect it by proxy.
Bruges
Marktplein 12, Zeebrugge, 8380 Bruges
You can renew an expiring licence or replace one that is lost, stolen, damaged or has an outdated photo.
Bring your eID and existing licence if available. The eID photo can be reused if it still resembles you; otherwise bring a recent compliant photo. For theft, report to police first and bring the report and photograph. After a BelDrive application, collect the licence personally; a representative cannot collect it by proxy.
Bruges
Frank Van Ackerpromenade 2, 8000 Bruges
This is for a Belgian licence, as exchanging a foreign one is a separate service.
Bring your eID and existing licence if available. The eID photo can be reused if it still resembles you; otherwise bring a recent compliant photo. For theft, report to police first and bring the report and photograph. After a BelDrive application, collect the licence personally; a representative cannot collect it by proxy.
Related services
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.
A paper or digital certificate showing where you are registered, with versions for address history or household. Find the municipal office that issues it.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Other countries
Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.
Most offices in Amsterdam, Tilburg, and Deventer
Most offices in Warsaw, Kraków, and Rzeszów
Most offices in Hanover, Aachen, and Saarbrücken
Most offices in A Coruña, Alicante, and Almería
Most offices in Akranes, Akureyri, and Borgarnes
Where to next
Find out which cases can be handled online and which need a visit, then see the municipal offices that deal with renewals and replacements.
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