Living in Belgium

Coronavirus

You should follow the advice of the Belgian Government and your local authority. You can also read our Belgium travel advice for our latest guidance.

For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in Belgium see our coronavirus travel advice.

Stay up to date

You should:

• sign up to email alerts to this guidance
• follow the British Embassy in Brussels on Facebook and Twitter

Attend a citizen outreach meeting

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 Belgium.

The Withdrawal Agreement

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Read the Belgian government’s guidance on residency rights.

Please note that residency is separate to citizenship.

Special ID card holders

If you wereare resident in Belgium on a special ID card (‘P’(“P” or ‘S’ card) before 131 JanuaryDecember 2021,2020, you havewill rightsalso underbe considered to be in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement. YouShould canyou choosewish to, you will be entitled to register with your commune/gemeente and obtain the new ‘M’ residency cardcard. atYou anywill time.still be able to do this after the end of the transition period.

Read the Belgian government’s guidance on special ID holderscard holders..

Moving to Belgium

Healthcare

CheckIf theyou entryare requirementsliving forin Belgium andor readmove thethere Belgianpermanently government’sbefore guidance31 onDecember residency2020 documents.you’ll have life-long healthcare rights in Belgium as you do now, provided you remain resident.

Healthcare

You must register with a healthhealthcare insuranceinsurer fund (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.

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 insuranceinsurance.

Check the Belgian government guidance on health and social security entitlements.

Read our guidance on healthcarewho incan Belgium and make sure you are correctly registered.

If your UK employer has sent you to Belgium temporarily, your access to healthcare isin different.Belgium Findand out how to access healthcare as a posted workerregister.

State healthcare: S1

AnIf S1 form allows you tolive access to UK-funded healthcare in Belgium.Belgium Ifand youreceive havean aexportable registeredUK S1pension, formcontribution-based andEmployment wereSupport livingAllowance inor Belgiumanother beforeexportable 1benefit, Januaryyou 2021,may yourcurrently rightsbe entitled to accessstate healthcare willpaid stayfor by the sameUK. ifYou youwill areneed either:

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certificate.

Read our guidance on usinghow an S1 form in Belgium to ensureget youan areS1 registered correctly for healthcare.form.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you wereare livingresident in BelgiumBelgium, beforeyou 1must Januarynot 2021,use youyour mayEHIC befrom eligiblethe forUK ato newaccess UK-issuedhealthcare EHICin if you’re:Belgium.

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You should also read guidance on:

• healthcare and studying abroad
• health advice for Belgium
• finding English-speaking doctors in Belgium
• checking if your prescriptions are legal

Passports and travel

YouThe shouldrules carryon yourtravel residencewill card,stay asthe wellsame asuntil yourthe validtransition passportperiod whenends youon travel.31 IfDecember you2020. haveDuring appliedthis buttime, not yet received your card, carry your certificate of application (“annexe” 8, 56 or 57).

If you havecan notcontinue yetto appliedtravel forto acountries residence card, you should carry evidence that you are resident in Belgium.the ThisSchengen couldarea include a tenancy agreement or aelsewhere utility bill in yourthe name,EU datingwith fromyour 2020.UK passport.

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Passports from 1 January 2021

Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip.

From You1 canJanuary apply2021, foryou or renew your British passport from Belgium.

You must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). This requirement does not apply if you are entering or transiting to Belgium, and you are in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.

If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.

You will need to Renewrenew your passport before bookingtravelling your travel if you do not have enough time left on your passport.

As a non-EEA national, different border checks will apply when travelling to other EU or Schengen area countries. You may need to show a return or onward ticket and that you have enough money for your stay. You may also have to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. YouYour passport may alsobe needstamped tofor showvisits ato returnthese or onward ticket.countries.

Entry requirements

YouFrom can1 January 2021, you will be able to travel to other Schengen area countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for purposes such as tourism.

To stayThis longeris thana 90rolling days180-day inperiod.

To anystay 180-dayfor period,longer, to work or study, or for business travel, you mustwill need to meet the entry requirements set out by the country to which you are travellingtravelling. to. This could mean applying for a visa or work permit. You may also need to get a visa if your visit would take you over the 90 days in 180 days limit.

Periods of timestay authorised byunder a visa or permit will not count towardsagainst yourthe 90-day visa-free limit. Travel to the UK and the Ireland will not change.

Different rules will apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen area.Area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

Driving in Belgium

TravelDriving tolicence therules UKwill andstay Irelandthe hassame notuntil changed.

Driving31 inDecember Belgium

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:

• driving licence renewals and exchanges
• what you need to drive abroad
• road travel in Belgium

When driving in Belgium, always have:

• your driving licence
• your car papers
• your insurance paper
• your MOT or control technique certificate
• your passport or ID and those of your passengers

Driving

Vehicles

Contact inyour thevehicle UKinsurance withprovider ato Belgianobtain licence

Youa canmotor useinsurance yourGreen BelgianCard. licenceThe inGreen theCard UK for shortyour visits,vehicle orcovers exchangeyour ittrailer. forIf ayour UKtrailer licenceis withoutnot takingattached aor test.exceeds We500 willkg, updateyou thesewill pagesneed ifan thereadditional areGreen anyCard changesfor toit.

Read the rules,guidance ason sooncar asinsurance informationvalidity iswhen available.travelling to Belgium.

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Belgium

Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.

If you are registered as a resident in Belgium, you must register your vehicle with the Belgian authorities. 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.

Working in Belgium

If you wereare legallyregistered as a resident in Belgium before 1 January 2021, you have the right to work, as long as you remain legally resident.

If you are planning to come to Belgium to work, you may need a work permit.in Belgium. Read theour Belgian government’s guidance on workworking permitsin an EU country.

To apply for a job you may need to apply for a:

• UK police certificate
• Belgian criminal records certificate (‘extrait de casier judiciaire’/’uittreksel uit het strafregister’), which you can request at your local municipalitytown hall (commune/gemeente)

Frontier workers

If you liveare resident in Belgium andon were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country before 131 JanuaryDecember 2021,2020, you maywill needmaintain ayour permitright to showwork, thatas youlong areas ayou frontierremain worker.resident Youin mustBelgium.

Education alsoand applyprofessional for the new residence card (‘M’ card).

qualifications

If you liveare resident in theBelgium UKon or anotherbefore EU31 orDecember EFTA2020, countryyour andright regularly commuted to workstudy in Belgium beforewill 1stay January 2021, you must apply for the newsame, frontieras workerlong permitas (‘N’ card). Contact the local municipality (commune/gemeente) where you workremain for more information.resident.

Posted workers

IfFor youmore wereinformation postedread tostudying Belgiumin before 1 January 2021, you must apply for a new residence status to secure your rights under the WithdrawalEuropean Agreement.Union.

Education

Professional and professional qualifications

YouIf willyou behave eligiblealready forbeen broadlyrecognised theby samean supportEU ascountry Belgian nationals, as longholding asvalid youprofessional werequalifications, legallythis residentwill inremain Belgiumvalid beforeafter 131 January 2021. You must apply for the new residence card (‘M’ card).2020.

ReadIf ouryou guidancehave on:

• continuingnot yourhad studies in the EU
• healthcare for students in Belgium

Professional qualifications

You may need to get your professional qualificationqualifications recognisedrecognised, if you wantcan tosubmit workan inapplication aunder professionthe thatcurrent isrules regulateduntil in31 Belgium.December When doing this, you will be subject to the third country regulations.2020.

If you need to take action to secure the recognition of your academic or professional qualification in Belgium, visit the Business Belgium website.

If your qualification was officially recognised by the relevant regulator in Belgium before 1 January 2021, make sure you understand the terms of your recognition decision by checking with that regulator.

Money and tax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Belgium to ensure you 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:

• telling HMRC if you leave the UK to live abroad
• the tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• paying income tax in Belgium

You should get professional advice on paying tax in Belgium.

Declaration of assets

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.

All non-residents have a legal obligation to file an annual Belgian tax return if they receive income, including a pension, from Belgium.

National Insurance

Find out if you needcan to pay National Insurance inwhile theabroad UKso orthat socialyou securityprotect contributionsyour inState Belgium.

Banking

WhetherPension UKand banksentitlement can provide services to customersother livingbenefits in the EEA is a matter of local law and regulation.allowances.

If Your bank or finance provider should contact you ifare theyemployed needor toself-employed makein anythe changesEU to your product or theEEA wayand they provide it. If you have anya concernsUK-issued aboutA1/E101 whetherform, you mightwill beremain affected,subject contactto yourUK providerlegislation oruntil seek independent financial advice.

Read the Moneyend anddate Pension Service guidance on banking,the insurance and financial services changes for more information on cross-border banking.form.

Pensions

Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Belgium.

Tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

If you retire in Belgium, you can claim:

• your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre to claim
• your Belgium pension (in Dutch and French) if you’ve worked in Belgium, through the Federal Pensions Service
• your pension from working abroad, if you have worked in other EU countries

Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

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.

Benefits

Pensions after 31 December 2020

ReadThere ourwill guidancebe no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on entitlementclaiming the UK State Pension 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 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 be able to add your UK social security contributions towards your Belgian pension. This will happen even if you claim your pension after 31 December 2020.

If you are considering moving to Belgium on or after 1 January 2020 and you are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on negotiations with the EU and may change. Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.

You whilecan youcontinue areto livingreceive your UK State Pension if you live in Belgium.the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you can still claim your UK State Pension.

Benefits

Tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

CheckYou whichmay be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Belgium.

You should:

• read our guidance on which benefits you can claim whileif you live abroad
• use andour howtool to check which benefits you can claim them.
  while you’re abroad

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:

• read about Belgian social security benefits
• read the European Union’s guidance on claiming benefits in an EU country like Belgium
• speak to a social worker (assistant social/maatschappelijk werker) at the public welfare centre of your local municipalitycommune/gemeente (commune/gemeente) (CPAS/OCMW)

You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.

Benefits after 31 December 2020

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 31 December 2020.

If you are considering moving to Belgium on or after 1 January 2020 and you are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, the rules depend on negotiations with the EU and may change.[Check our guidance on benefits and pensions in the EU.

Voting

If you have been resident in Belgium for more than 5 years, you can vote in local elections.

To do so, you must:

• register on the municipal register where you live
• formally declare your intention to vote and register on the local electoral roll
• confirm your status every 2 to 5 years to remain registered and be able to vote

You cannot vote in federal or regional elections in Belgium or European Parliament elections.

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. For this, you can:

• check if you are able to vote
• register as an overseas voter if you would like to vote

Births, deaths and getting married

If your child is born in Belgium, you will need to register the birth abroad.

If someone dies in Belgium you can:

• read guidance on what to do after someone dies abroad
• read guidance for UK nationals bereavements in Belgium
• find a list of English-speaking funeral directors in Belgium

Find out how you can get married abroad.

Find out about notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Belgium.

You may also need:

• English-speaking lawyers and translators in Belgium
• the British Charitable Fund

Accommodation and buying property

Read guidance on how to buy a property in Belgium.

Pets

IfCurrent you have a pet passporttravel issuedrules bywill Belgiumstay orthe anothersame EUduring memberthe state,transition youperiod canuntil use31 itDecember to travel with your pet to Great Britain and elsewhere in the EU.2020.

AIf GB-issuedyou’re EUtravelling petwith passportyour ispet not valid for travel to the EUfirst ortime Northernyou Ireland.must Youvisit should speak to your vet before you travel to get thea necessary pet travel documents and ensure you’re compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.passport.

Read guidance on:

• on bringing your pet to GB
• travelling with your pet in the EUUK.
• travelling to Northern Ireland with your pet

Check the rules of the country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel.

Emergencies

You can dial the European emergency number on 112 or:

• 100 for medical emergency and fire brigade
• 101 for police

Consult the Belgium emergency numbers.

If you need urgent consular help, contact the British Embassy Brussels.

Returning to the UK

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.

If you have further questions

Contact us through our web form if you have a specific question on living in Belgium.

Disclaimer

This information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Belgian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.