Last updated: March 2026 · 6 min read
Commune registration is the single most important administrative step when you arrive in Belgium. Every person who moves to Belgium — whether for work, study, family, or as an EU citizen — must register at the commune (gemeente/commune) where they live. This guide tells you exactly what to bring, what happens, and what to expect.
Go to the "dienst vreemdelingenzaken" (foreigners' service) or "service des etrangers." Bring all documents listed above. A clerk will review everything and make copies.
If your documents are in order, you receive an Annexe 15 — a temporary registration document. This is your proof that you've registered and are waiting for your residence card. It allows you to stay legally while your card is being processed.
Within 2-4 weeks, a local police officer (wijkagent) will visit your registered address to verify you actually live there. You do not need to be home, but there should be signs of habitation (your name on the mailbox, personal items visible). If nobody answers, they'll leave a note to contact the police station.
Once the police confirm your address, the commune processes your electronic residence card (eID for foreigners). You'll receive a letter or SMS to pick it up.
Return to the commune to collect your card. Bring your Annexe 15 and passport. The card is activated at pickup. Total time from registration to card: typically 3-8 weeks.
All 19 Brussels communes now require online appointments. Here are the main ones:
| Commune | Avg wait | Appointment |
|---|---|---|
| Brussel / Bruxelles (1000) | 4-6 weeks | brussel.be |
| Elsene / Ixelles (1050) | 3-5 weeks | ixelles.be |
| Sint-Gillis / Saint-Gilles (1060) | 3-5 weeks | stgilles.brussels |
| Anderlecht (1070) | 3-4 weeks | anderlecht.be |
| Molenbeek (1080) | 3-5 weeks | molenbeek.irisnet.be |
| Schaerbeek / Schaarbeek (1030) | 4-6 weeks | schaerbeek.be |
| Etterbeek (1040) | 2-4 weeks | etterbeek.be |
| Woluwe-Saint-Lambert (1200) | 2-4 weeks | woluwe1200.be |
| Uccle / Ukkel (1180) | 3-4 weeks | uccle.be |
| Forest / Vorst (1190) | 2-4 weeks | forest.brussels |
Enroll with a Belgian health insurance fund (mutualite/ziekenfonds). Major options: Partena, CM/MC, Solidaris, Liberale Mutualiteit. This is mandatory for all legal residents.
Open a Belgian bank account. You'll need your Annexe 15, passport, and proof of address. Major banks: KBC, BNP Paribas Fortis, ING, Belfius. Digital options (N26, Revolut) work temporarily but you'll need a Belgian IBAN for salary and rent.
Enroll in an integration course (inburgeringscursus). This is mandatory in Brussels and Flanders. Includes: language course (Dutch or French), social orientation, and career guidance. Free in most cases. Failure to enroll can result in fines of EUR 50-5,000 in Flanders.
If you're an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you have more time. You must register within 3 months of arrival (not 8 days). You'll receive an E card (EU registration certificate) instead of an A card. The process is simpler and you don't need a visa, but you still need to register and prove you have sufficient resources and health insurance.
Go to the commune as soon as possible. In practice, most communes will still process your registration if you're a few days late, especially if you have a good reason (waiting for rental contract, etc.). However, being significantly late can result in a fine and may be noted in your file, which could complicate future applications. It's always better to register on time.
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Start your free checklist →This guide is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify requirements with your local commune or a licensed immigration lawyer. Last updated March 2026.