Change of https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-belgium
Change description : 2020-09-07 14:05:00: Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021. [Brexit]
Showing diff : 2020-01-23 18:37:26 +00:00..2020-09-07 13:11:07 +00:00
Guidance
Official information for UK nationals moving to or living in Belgium, including guidance on Brexit, residency, healthcarehealthcare, passports and passports.the Withdrawal Agreement.
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The British Embassy regularly holds events across Belgium for UK nationals. Attend one of our citizen outreach meetings to keep up to date on working and living in BelgiumBelgium.
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If you are resident in Belgium at the end of the transition period, you will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, and your rights will be protected for Brexitas long as you remain resident in Belgium.
Any rights that are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement will be the subject of future negotiations. Read this guidance page for more information.
In the meantime, make sure you are registered as a resident in Belgium. We will update this guidance as soon as more information becomes available.
You should also read our guidance on living in Europe
Check the entry requirements for Belgium.
You must carry photographic ID at all times.
You must register at your local town hall (commune/gemeente) within 8 days of arriving in Belgium. You might be asked to bring:
You may be given further forms for you and/or your employer to complete and return.
The police will verify your address by making a house call. If you’re not at home when a police officer calls, the officer will leave a card giving you an appointment at your local police station.
Once the police have verified your address, you’ll get a statement of registration and you can apply for an electronic residence card, valid for 5 years, at a cost of around €20. You must inform your commune/gemeente of any change in circumstances. For example, if you change address or your marital status, so that registration can be kept up-to-date. The same rules apply to children.
There are many types of residency cards in Belgium, the following are currently the most relevant for UK nationals resident in Belgium:
All afterUK Brexit
Duringnationals resident in Belgium at the implementationend period,of youthe transition period will need to obtain a new residency card that indicates that their rights are covered under the Withdrawal Agreement.
You will receive a letter from your commune/gemeenteCommune/Gemeente before 31 December 2020 explaining how to obtainget athis new residency card. You do not need to take any action until you receive this letter.
There will be no change in residency rules or registration procedures if you arrive in Belgium before the1 endJanuary of2021. theUK implementationnationals periodlegally onresident 31in DecemberBelgium 2020.that UKhave nationalsstarted legallythe residentregistration inprocess Belgiumat the local town hall before the implementationtransition period ends will be able to stay.
Read the Belgian government’s guidance on residency rights if there is a deal.
Please note that residency is separate to nationality.citizenship.
If you are resident in Belgium on a special ID card (“P” card) before 31 December 2020, you will also be considered to be in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement. Should you wish to, you will be entitled to register with your commune/gemeente and obtain the new residency card. You will still be able to do this after the end of the transition period.
Read the Belgian government’s guidance on special ID card holders.
If you are living in Belgium or move there permanently before 31 December 2020 you’ll have life-long healthcare rights in Belgium as you do now, provided you remain resident.
You must register with a healthcare insurer (mutuelle/ziekenfonds) to access the healthcare system if you are resident in Belgium. If you are working, both you and your employer will make contributions to your social security and healthcare system through the mutuelle/ziekenfonds. The amount you have to pay is set by the Belgian government.
Read the guidance on who can access healthcare in Belgium and how to register.
When you visit a doctor or pharmacist, you need to pay and then send the receipt to your mutuelle/ziekenfonds. The amount you’ll be refunded depends on the health services covered by your insurance.
Check the Belgian government guidance on health and social security entitlements.
Read our guidance on who can access healthcare in Belgium and how to register.
If you live in Belgium and receive an exportable UK pension, contribution-based Employment Support Allowance or another exportable benefit, you may currently be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for a certificate of entitlement known as an S1 certificate.
Read our guidance on how to get an S1 form.
If you are resident in Belgium, you must not use your EHIC from the UK to access healthcare in Belgium.
When you travel from Belgium for a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, you can use an EHIC to access state-provided healthcare in that country. During that short stay:
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From 1 January 2021, you will be able to travel to other Schengen area countries for up to 90 days in theany Schengen180-day areaperiod without a visa for purposes such as tourism. This is a rolling 180-day period.
To stay for longer, to work or elsewherestudy, inor for business travel, you will need to meet the EUentry withrequirements set out by the country to which you are travelling. This could mean applying for a visa or work permit. You may also need to get a visa if your UKvisit passport.would take you over the 90 days in 180 days limit.
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Driving licence rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.
If you are a resident in Belgium, you should exchange your UK licence for a Belgian driving licence. You can still use your Belgian licence in the UK for short visits or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test if you return to live in the UK.
For information on driving in Belgium, read the guidance on:
When driving in Belgium, always have:
Contact your vehicle insurance provider to obtain a motor insurance Green Card. The Green Card for your vehicle covers your trailer. If your trailer is not attached or exceeds 500 kg, you will need an additional Green Card for it.
Read the guidance on car insurance validity when travelling to Belgium.
Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.
If you spendare moreregistered thanas 6a monthsresident of the year in BelgiumBelgium, with your UK-registered car, you must register your vehicle with the Belgian authorities (in French). You can read the European Union’s guidance on car registration rules and taxes. You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If so you will need certificates of exemption.
Driving licence rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.
If you are registered as a resident in Belgium you have the right to work in Belgium. Read our guidance on working in anotheran EU country.
To apply for a job you may need to apply for a:
If you are resident in Belgium afteron Brexit
Youor before 31 December 2020, you will maintain your right to work, as long as you remain legally resident in Belgium.
If you are resident in Belgium afteron Brexit
Youror before 31 December 2020, your right to study in Belgium will stay the same, as long as you remain legally resident in Belgium.resident.
For more information read studying in the European Union after Brexit.
The European Commission has published guidance on professional qualifications.
If you have already been recognised by an EU country as holding valid professional qualifications, this will remain valid after Brexit.31 January 2020.
If you have not had your professional qualifications recognised, you willcan havesubmit untilan theapplication endunder of the implementationcurrent periodrules onuntil 31 December 2020 to submit an application under the current rules.2020.
If you need to take action to secure the recognition of your academic or professional qualification in Belgium, visit the Business Belgium website.
The UK has a double-taxationdouble taxation agreement with Belgium to ensure peopleyou do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.
Existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Belgium have not changed.
Read guidance about:
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Belgium.
All residents must declare assets outside Belgium, including bank accounts, securities, rights, insurance, annuities and property. The declaration is separate to the annual tax return, and there are severe penalties and criminal charges if you do not comply.
Find out if you can pay National Insurance while abroad so that you protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.
If you are employed or self-employed in the EU or EEA and you have a UK-issued A1/E101 form, you will remain subject to UK legislation until the end date on the form.
Brexit will not change existing double-taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Belgium.
Tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming the UK State Pension in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
If you retire in Belgium, you can claim:
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible – your payments may be suspended if you don’t.
YouThere canwill continuebe no changes before 31 December 2020 to receivethe yourrules on claiming the UK State Pension if you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland andas youa canresult stillof claimthe your UK Stateleaving Pension.the EU.
If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020 you will get your UK State Pension uprated every year for as long as you continue to live there. This will happen even if you start claiming your pension on or after 1 January 2021, as long as you meet the qualifying conditions explained in the new State Pension guidance.
If you are living in Belgium by 31 December 2020, you will be able to count future social security contributions towards meeting the qualifying conditions for your UK State Pension.
If you work and pay social security contributions in Belgium, you will still be able to add your UK social security contributions towards your Belgian pension. This will happen even if you claim your pension after the31 endDecember of the implementation period.2020.
ThereIf willyou beare noconsidering changesmoving beforeto 31Belgium Decemberon or after 1 January 2020 toand you are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on claimingnegotiations UKwith the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.
You can continue to receive your UK State Pension if you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland asand ayou resultcan ofstill theclaim your UK leavingState Pension.
Tell the EU.UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Belgium.
You should:
Many income-related benefits such as pension credit and housing benefit cannot be paid to you if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
You may be eligible for Belgian benefits. Find out if you are entitled to Belgian benefits and how to claim them:
You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.
There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming UK benefits in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020, you will continue to receive any UK benefits you already receive. This will continue for as long as you live there and meet all other eligibility requirements.
If you work and pay social security contributions in Belgium, your UK social security contributions will be taken into account when applying for Belgian contributions-based benefits. This will happen even if you claim contributions-based benefits after the31 endDecember of the implementation period.2020.
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If you canhave votebeen andresident stand in BelgianBelgium localfor municipalmore andthan European5 parliamentaryyears, elections.you can vote in local elections.
To do so, you must:
You cannot vote in federal or regional elections in Belgium.
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If your child is born in Belgium, you will need to register the birth abroad.
If someone dies in Belgium you can:
Find out how you can get married abroad.
Find out about notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Belgium.
You may also need:
Read guidance on how to buy a property in Belgium.
Current pet travel rules will stay the same during the implementationtransition perioduntilperiod until 31 December 2020.
If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time you must visit your vet to get a pet passport.
Read guidance on bringing your pet travel.to the UK.
You can dial the European emergency number on 112 or:
Consult the Belgium emergency numbers.
If you need urgent consular help, contact the British Embassy Brussels.
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.
Contact us through our web form if you have a specific question on howliving Brexitin will affect your rights.Belgium.
This information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Belgian authorities. The ForeignForeign, and Commonwealth & Development Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021.
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
EU Exit update: added information about passport validity to passport section
EU Exit update: added information on the latest no deal legislation in healthcare, visas and residency, education and driving sections
We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.
EU Exit update: Updated information on passports. You must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip.
EU Exit Update: Belgian government draft legislation on UK citizens' rights in a no deal added to the EU Exit section.
EU Exit update: added latest information from the Belgian government about residence rights in the case of a deal or no deal in the EU Exit section.
EU Exit update - Updated information on access to healthcare.
EU Exit update: updated information on pensions and driving
EU Exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in pet section.
Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
Updated life certificate instructions for UK state pensions.
First published.
2025-11-28 10:49
Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.
2024-08-09 10:22
Additional information added under ‘Passports and Travel’ about the EU Entry/Exit System.
2024-05-30 13:46
Update to information about the EU Entry/Exit scheme if you hold an M card.
2024-05-22 15:12
Update to ‘ Visas and residency if you were living in Belgium before 1 January 2021’ and the ‘Passports and travel’ sections to include information about the EU’s entry/exit scheme.
2023-02-14 15:35
Update on passports and travel section: important advice about carrying valid ID documents in Belgium
2023-01-26 10:30
Updated broken links in the following sections: ‘If you have a P or S card’ and ‘Exchanging your UK, Gibralter or Isle of Man licence’.
2022-03-11 10:57
Important information in the Working in Belgium, and National insurance sections if you work in Belgium, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK.
2022-01-01 07:00
Visas and residency guidance updated, following the 31 December 2021 residency deadline for people with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
2021-03-03 13:25
Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines.
2020-09-07 14:05
Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021.
2020-01-23 16:47
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
2019-09-23 17:23
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
2019-09-03 17:03
Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
2019-04-15 11:21
EU Exit update: added information about passport validity to passport section