Your municipality’s foreigners’ desk is where the paperwork begins
Residence cards and permit renewals are dealt with at the foreigners’ desk of the municipality where you live. Offices differ in how they take first contact and which groups they serve, such as students, permit holders and EU citizens. Some assign every appointment themselves after you phone, and some close parts of the week.
Bruges
For residence permit holdersFrank Van Ackerpromenade 2, 8000 Bruges
Book the renewal visit about 45 days before your card expires, then wait for the invitation to order the new one.
Ask [email protected] or +32 50 44 80 00 which evidence your residence basis requires; there is no single checklist for every A-card holder. Renewal requires a recent compliant photo. Confirm the card fee and any replacement document needed while the application is processed.
Bruges
For international studentsFrank Van Ackerpromenade 2, 8000 Bruges
Attend the renewal visit at least 15 days before your permit expires, and book it early.
Bring a valid passport, current residence document, health-insurance evidence, the school’s standard enrolment form for the new academic year, and the standard study-progress form with results. The city exempts PhD students from the progress form. Show sufficient funds through an accepted blocked account, qualifying Annex 32 guarantor or scholarship; check current amounts and guarantor evidence before applying.
Guides
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 Cologne, Hamburg, and Aachen
Most offices in A Coruña, Alicante, and Almería
Most offices in Opole, Białystok, and Bielsko-Biała
Where to next
For non-EU residents, students and permit holders, plus EU citizens seeking permanent residence. See the steps and find the municipal desk to contact.
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