How do you apply for a residence permit in Belgium in 2026?

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who stay longer than three months apply at the commune for a registration certificate, commonly called Annex 19 (Bijlage 19). From 1 September 2025 the first visit must include proof of citizenship and a complete status file such as employment, self-employment, studies, means, or family membership. After the conditions are met, the commune can issue an EU card, often labelled type E for temporary registration, with type E+ used when permanent residence is recognised after the qualifying period. Exact wording on the card follows your status, so read the printed labour-market remark rather than relying on a friend's card type.

Non-EU nationals who will live and work more than ninety days usually need a single permit (combined work and residence authorisation). The employer or authorised representative applies to the competent Region for the place of work (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels-Capital, or the German-speaking Community), and the Immigration Office assesses the residence side. An approved decision can lead to a D visa if you still need to travel, then local registration. Other non-EU paths exist for family, study, or means-based stays; for a means-based overview see Country To Live's belgium-self-sufficient-residence-means pathway rather than treating this page as a full visa manual. Do not invent income thresholds from blogs when IBZ or regional pages list the live criteria for your category.

Whatever route you use, the plastic card is usually ordered at the commune of your registered address after a positive residence check. Common third-country cards include type A for limited stay (often carrying the single-permit labour-market note) and type B for unlimited stay when that status is granted. Appointment systems, fees, and collection letters vary by commune, especially across Brussels' nineteen administrations. Interim annexes may bridge the gap while the card is produced; keep originals and follow only the documents named in your decision letter.

No public page can honestly promise how many weeks your commune or IBZ file will take. Build calendar buffer for appointments, police checks, and card PIN letters instead of booking flights around an assumed turnaround.