Things To Do on Arrival

Essential Tips on Moving to Belgium

You should sign your rental agreement as soon as you arrive and try to arrange to take over the electricity and gas accounts from the previous tenant if possible. Otherwise you will have to make an appointment with the electricity and gas supplier to have the accounts activated. You will need to show some form of identity. A passport might be enough, but some utility companies unhelpfully insist on a residents' permit. Check this with the supplier beforehand.

Book a parking space

When you're moving into a house or apartment in Brussels, you normally need to reserve a parking space in front of the building for the removal truck. Find out which local police station handles parking in your neighbourhood and go alonf several days ahead of the move to book the space. Make sure you have a contact number to call incase there are still cars using the space on the day you move.

Make the move

When you move into your house make sure that your name is on the doorbell. The police will check this after you apply for a residents' permit.

Get passport photographs

You will need atleast three passport photographs to register with your municipality, but it's best to have a large stock available. So go to a booth in a metro station and take some headshots againt a white background. Some government agencies are quite strict about the size of photo, so it might be worth paying extra for a profesional photographer. Try Campion on Place Saint Boniface in Ixelles.

Contact yout local town hall

You should contact your local town hall as soon as you arrive and ask them about the formalities required to register as a resident. You will need a passport or ID, plus a job contract from your employer or proof that you have some means of supporting yourself.

Register with the town hall

You must register within the eight days of arriving in Belgium. Make sure you have all the documents you need (plus photogtaphs) and check that you are queuing at the right counter. The fee for registering is modest. EU staff can avoid this step and register with the Commission office, but they will receive an ID that it only valid in Belgium.

Collect residents' permit

You will get a letter from the town hall telling you to collect your residents' permit. This is normally valid for five months. It allows you to register your children at a local school, sign up to a health insurance fund and join a public library.

Useful hint: Where to go for help

It can be stressful moving to a new country but several organisations offer advice to foreigners such as the American Women's Club, the British & Commonwealth Women's Club and the Community Help Service.