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Read ourgeneral coronavirusguidance travelon advicemoving or retiring abroad.

Stay

To stay up to date

You should:date:

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

Attend

If ayou citizenwere outreachliving meeting

Thein British Embassy regularly holds events across Belgium forbefore UK1 nationals.January Attend2021

Some oneparts of ourthis citizenguide outreachonly meetingsapply toif keepyou uphave tobeen date on working and living in Belgium.

The Withdrawal Agreement

If you were legally resident in Belgium since before 1 January 2021,2021. your rights will be protected by the Withdrawal Agreement. You mustshould applyread forthese ain newaddition residenceto statusthe beforerest 31of Decemberthe 2021guidance toin secureeach your rights.section.

You should also read our guidanceLiving on living in Europe page.

Visas and residency

Residency

If you were resident in Belgium before 1 January 2021, you must apply for thedetailed newguidance residenceabout cardcitizens’ (‘M’ card) by 31 December 2021. This residence card is for UK nationals and their UK or non-EU family members who have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Coronavirus

ReadFollow the Officeadvice forof Foreigner’s guidance for detailed information on the applicationBelgian process.Government

Note thatand residencyyour islocal separateauthority. toYou citizenship.

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advice.

YouFor shouldinformation haveon receivedgetting a letterCOVID-19 fromvaccine theas Belgiana StateUK Secretarynational forin AsylumBelgium, andread Migrationour aboutcoronavirus thetravel newadvice.

Visas residenceand cardresidency

You (‘M’must card).tell Ifthe youUK didgovernment notoffices receivethat thedeal letter,with andyour thinkbenefits, youpension shouldand have,tax contactif youryou localare municipalitymoving (‘commune’or inretiring French, ‘gemeente’ in Dutch).abroad.

YourCheck local municipality will get in touch with you directly to outline the applicationentry process.requirements Youfor mustBelgium follow the steps and deadlinesread outlinedthe byBelgian yourgovernment’s municipality,guidance ason theseresidency may differ locally.documents.

You willmust needinform toyour providelocal amunicipality criminal(commune/gemeente) recordif extract.your Thecircumstances extractchange. canFor beexample, fromtell thethem UK,if Belgium or another country where you livedmove priorhome toor Belgium.change Theyour UKmarital extractstatus, canso beyour issuedregistration byis eitherkept DBSup-to-date. orThis ACRO.applies Ato Belgianeveryone extractin (‘extraityour dehousehold.

Visas casierand judiciaire’/’uittrekselresidency uitif hetyou strafregister’)were canliving bein obtainedBelgium frombefore your1 localJanuary municipality.

2021

YouIf mustyou applyapplied for the ‘M’ card by 31 December 2021.2021, If your applicationrights isare successful,protected yourby ‘M’the cardWithdrawal willAgreement bepending valida fordecision 5on years.your Ifapplication. youRead alreadythe haveBelgian permanentgovernment’s residency,guidance youron ‘M’residency cardrights. willYou referenceshould thiscontinue andthe willprocess beto validget foryour 10‘M’ years.

Ifcard if you do not yet have an E or E+ card

it.

IfYou youshould startedkeep thehold process of registering your residencycertificate atof yourapplication local‘annexe/bijlage municipality56’ (commune/gemeente)as beforeevidence 1of Januaryyour 2021,rights. butSeek havewritten notconfirmation completedfrom it,your youcommune/gemeente willif notyou have anstarted ‘E’the or ‘E+’ card. Your residency application willprocess stillbut benot assessedyet underreceived bothyour previouscertificate EUof rules and the new requirements for the ‘M’ card.application.

InIf lineyou withhave previousnot EUhad rules,a youresponse may have to provide:

• 4your passport-sized‘M’ photos
• originalscard andapplication, copiesask of your passport
• thecommune/gemeente lease for youran apartmentupdate. orIf house
• documentsthey provingcannot update you, you can supportemail yourselfthe inOffice Belgium,for suchForeigners as(infodesk@ibz.fgov.be) your employment contract or proofcall of+3224 your88 pension
• proof80 of health insurance

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YouIf willyour alsoapplication needis tosuccessful, provideyou a criminal record extract (see above).

The police will verifyreceive your address‘M’ bycard, makingvalid afor house5 call.years. If you’re not at home, the officer will leave a card giving you analready appointmenthave atpermanent yourresidency, local police station.

Once your address‘M’ hascard beenwill verified,show you’llthis get a statement of registration and youwill canbe apply for an electronic residence card. This is valid for 510 years and costs around €20.years.

You must informrenew your local‘M’ municipalitycard (commune/gemeente)when ifit yourexpires. circumstancesContact change.your Forcommune/gemeente example,for tellmore theminformation.

Appeal ifprocess

If youyour moveapplication homeis orrefused, change your maritalrefusal status,letter, soknown thatas registration‘annexe/bijlage can59’, bewill kepttell up-to-date.you Thishow applies to everyone in your household.appeal.

Read

If theyou Belgianhave government’sa guidance‘P’ onor residency‘S’ rights.

Special ID card holders

If you were resident in Belgium onwith a special‘P’ IDor ‘S’ card (‘P’(a orspecial ‘S’residence card)permit) before 1 January 2021, you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. You can choose to register with your commune/gemeente and obtain the new ‘M’ residency card at any time.card.

Read the Belgian government’s guidance on special IDresidence permit holders.

MovingLate to Belgiumapplications

CheckThe thedeadline entryfor requirementsapplying for Belgium and read the Belgian‘M’ government’scard guidancewas on31 residencyDecember documents.

Healthcare

2021. You mustcan registerstill withapply aif healthyou insurancehave fundreasonable (mutuelle/ziekenfonds)grounds tofor accessmissing theit, healthcareand systemshould ifdo youso areas residentsoon inas Belgium.possible. IfContact youyour arecommune/gemeente working,to bothask youabout andthe yourprocess. employerApplications will makebe contributionsconsidered toon youran socialindividual securitybasis.

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Nationals Readof ourcertain guidancenon-EU oncountries healthcaremay inneed Belgiuma andvisa makebefore suretravel. youThe areBelgian correctlyauthorities registered.

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AnCoronavirus S1travel formrestrictions allowsmay youaffect totravel access to UK-fundedand healthcarefrom in Belgium.

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Check inthe Belgium beforetravel 1advice Januaryfor 2021,passport yourvalidity rightsrequirements.

Always tocarry accessyour healthcarepassport willwhen staytravelling within the sameSchengen ifarea. If you arehave either:

• receivingcitizenship aof UKan StateEU Pension
• receivingor someEuropean otherFree ‘exportableTrade benefits’
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Readyou ourshould guidanceenter onand usingleave an S1 form in Belgium tousing ensureyour youEU areor registeredEFTA correctly for healthcare.passport.

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

If you werestay living in Belgium beforewith 1a JanuaryBelgian 2021,residence youpermit mayor belong eligiblestay forvisa, athis newtime UK-issueddoes EHICnot ifcount you’re:

• atowards UKyour student90-day invisa-free Belgium
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Applymake nowsure foryou ado newnot UKexceed EHIC.

Ifthe youvisa-free are90 adays resident in Belgiumany and180-day yourperiod. healthcareYou isare coveredresponsible byfor thecounting Belgianhow authorities,long then you maystay beunder entitledthe toSchengen avisa Belgianwaiver, EHIC.and Youyou willmust becomply ablewith toits useconditions.

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ForWhen moreyou informationtravel, readcarry ouryour guidanceresidence oncard healthcare(‘M’ whencard) travellingor infrontier Europeworker andpermit advice(‘N’ oncard) foreignissued travelunder insurance.

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• checking if your prescriptionsresidence aredocument, legal

Passportsor andother travel

Youevidence shouldof carryresidence yourstatus, residenceif card,you asare wellasked asto show your valid passport whenat youborder travel.control. If you have applied for, but not yet receivedreceived, your residence card, carryshow your certificate of application (“annexe”(“annexe/bijlage” 8, 56 or 57).

If you have not yet applied for athe residence card,card youor should57 carryfor evidence that you are resident in Belgium. This could include a tenancyfrontier agreementworker or a utility bill in your name, dating from 2020.permit).

If you cannot showprove that you are a resident in Belgium, you may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the SchengenEU. area,Your and your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. This will not affect your rights in Belgium.

Passports

Checkthe yourcountry passportor iscountries validwhere for travel before you booklive your trip. You can apply for or renewwork. yourIf Britisha passport fromis Belgium.

Youstamped, mustthe havestamp atis leastconsidered 6null monthsand leftvoid onwhen an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). This requirement does not apply if you arecan enteringshow orevidence transiting to Belgium, and you are in scope of thelawful Withdrawal Agreement.residence.

If you renewedhave yourrights currentunder passportthe beforeWithdrawal theAgreement, previousyou onecan expired,enter extraand monthsexit mayBelgium havewith beena addedvalid topassport. itsYou expirydo date.not Anyneed extraany monthsadditional validity on yourthe passport overbeyond 10the yearsdates mayon notwhich countyou towardsare the 6 months needed.travelling.

Healthcare

RenewRead yourour passportguidance beforeon bookinghealthcare yourin travelBelgium ifand youmake dosure notyou haveare enoughcorrectly timeregistered leftfor on your passport.circumstances.

AsTravel ainsurance non-EEAis national,not differentintended border checks will apply when travelling to othercover EUhealthcare orcosts Schengenif areayou countries.live overseas.

You maymust haveregister towith use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. You may also need to show a returnhealth orinsurance onwardfund ticket.

Entry(mutuelle/ziekenfonds) requirements

You can travel to otheraccess Schengenthe areahealthcare countriessystem forif upyou toare 90resident days in anyBelgium. 180-dayIf periodyou withoutare aworking, visaboth foryou purposesand suchyour asemployer tourism.

Towill staymake longercontributions thanto 90your dayssocial insecurity anyand 180-dayhealthcare period,system tothrough workthe ormutuelle/ziekenfonds. study,The oramount for business travel, you musthave meetto thepay entryis requirements set out by the countryBelgian you are travelling to. This could mean applying for a visa or work permit.government.

PeriodsWhen ofyou timevisit authorised by a visadoctor or permitpharmacist, willyou notneed count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.

Different rules will apply to EUpay countriesand thatthen aresend not part of the Schengenreceipt area.to Checkyour eachmutuelle/ziekenfonds.

The country’samount travelyou’ll advicebe pagerefunded fordepends information on entry requirements.

Travel to the UKhealth andservices Irelandcovered hasby notyour changed.insurance.

Driving in Belgium

IfRead youthe areBelgian agovernment residentguidance inon Belgium,health youand shouldsocial exchangesecurity your UK licence for a Belgian driving licenceentitlements.

ForYou informationshould onalso driving in Belgium, read the guidance on:

• drivingfinding licenceEnglish-speaking renewalsdoctors andin exchangesBelgium
• what you need to drive abroad
• roadtravelling travelwith in Belgiummedicines

When

Working driving in Belgium, always have:

Belgium

• your

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• yourmay passportneed ora IDvisa. andRead those of your passengers

Driving in the UK with a Belgian licence

Yougovernment’s canguidance useon yourworking Belgian licence in theBelgium UKas fora shortforeign visits,national orand exchangehow itto forget a UKvisa.

To licenceapply withoutfor taking a test.job Weyou willmay updateneed these pages if there are any changes to theprovide rules,a:

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  Readhet ourstrafregister’), guidancewhich onyou takingcan arequest vehicleat outyour oflocal themunicipality UK.

  (commune/gemeente)

IfRead:

• working youor areproviding registeredservices asin aBelgium
• working resident in Belgium,an youEU must register your vehicle with the Belgian authoritiescountry.
• EU You can read the European Union’s guidance on carworking registrationin rulesan andEU taxescountry. You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If so you will need certificates of exemption.

Working in Belgium

If you were legallyliving resident in Belgium before 1 January 2021,2021

You 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.under Read the BelgianWithdrawal government’sAgreement guidanceif onyou workhave permits.

Toan apply‘M’ foror a‘N’ jobcard youor mayhave needapplied to apply for a:one.

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

Frontier workers

If you live in Belgium and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country before 1 January 2021, youread mayour needguidance afor permitfrontier workers.

Professional qualifications

You may need to showget thatyour youprofessional arequalification arecognised frontierif worker.you Youwant mustto alsowork applyin fora theprofession newthat residenceis cardregulated (‘M’in card).Belgium.

IfRead youguidance liveon:

• recognition inof theprofessional UKqualifications
• how orto anotherget EUyour orqualification EFTArecognised countryin andBelgium

If regularlyyou commutedwere toliving work in Belgium before 1 January 2021,2021

If you must apply for the newrelevant frontierregulator workerin permitBelgium (‘N’officially card).recognised Contactyour theprofessional localqualification municipalitybefore (commune/gemeente)1 whereJanuary you2021, workor for more information.

Posted workers

If you werestarted postedthe torecognition Belgiumprocess beforeby 1this Januarydate, 2021,make sure you mustunderstand applythe forterms aof newyour residencedecision. statusYou toshould secureget youradvice rightsfrom under the Withdrawalrelevant Agreement.regulator.

EducationStudying andin professional qualificationsBelgium

YouIf willyou beplan eligibleto forstudy broadlyin theBelgium, sameyou supportmust asmeet Belgianall nationals,visa asrequirements longbefore as you weretravel.

Contact legallythe residentrelevant inhigher Belgiumeducation beforeprovider 1in JanuaryBelgium 2021.to Youcheck mustwhat applyfees foryou themay newhave residenceto card (‘M’ card).pay.

Read our guidance on:

• continuing your studies in the EU
• studying in the European Union
• healthcare for students in Belgium

ProfessionalIf qualifications

Youyou maywere needliving toin getBelgium yourbefore professional1 qualificationJanuary recognised2021

You ifhave youthe wantsame right to workaccess education in aBelgium professionas thatBelgian iscitizens regulatedas inlong Belgium.as When doing this, you willwere belawfully subjectresident tobefore the1 thirdJanuary country regulations.2021.

IfThe youstudying need to take action to secure the recognition of your academic or professional qualification in Belgium, visit the BusinessEuropean BelgiumUnion websiteguidance.

If yourincludes qualificationinformation wasif officiallyyou recognisedwere byalready theliving relevant regulator in Belgium before 1 January 2021, make sure you understand the terms of your recognition decision by checking with that regulator.2021.

Money and taxTax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Belgium toso ensurethat you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.

ExistingYou doubleshould taxationget arrangementsprofessional foradvice UKon nationalspaying livingtax in Belgium have not changed.Belgium.

Read guidance about:on:

• tellingtax HMRC if you leave the UK to live abroad
• the tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• tax if you get a pension and live abroad
• paying income tax in Belgium

You

EU shouldfactsheet geton professionalbuying advicegoods ononline payingfrom taxUK in Belgium.

websites

DeclarationDeclaring ofyour 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

insurance and social security contributions

National Insurance-type contributions (NIC) are called ‘social security contributions’ (SSC) in Belgium. Find out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Belgium.

Banking

You can request proof from HMRC of the time you’ve worked in the UK and your UK National Insurance record.

WhetherRead guidance on:

• national insurance for workers from the UK banksworking canin providethe servicesEEA or Switzerland
• social security contributions for workers coming to customersthe livingUK infrom the EEA isor aSwitzerland

Benefits

UK matterbenefits

Read ofguidance localon lawentitlement to UK benefits and regulation.pensions Yourwhile bankyou orare financeliving providerin shouldBelgium.

Check contactwhich UK benefits you ifcan theyclaim needwhile abroad and how to makeclaim anythem.

Many changesincome-related tobenefits yoursuch productas orpension thecredit wayand theyhousing providebenefit it.cannot Ifbe paid to you haveif anyyou’re concernsabroad aboutfor whethermore youthan might4 weeks.

Belgian benefits

You may be affected,eligible contactfor yourBelgian providerbenefits. orFind seekout independentif financialyou advice.are entitled to Belgian benefits and how to claim them:

Read

• read theabout MoneyBelgian andsocial Pensionsecurity Servicebenefits
• read the European Union’s guidance on banking,claiming insurancebenefits andin financialan servicesEU changescountry
• speak forto morea informationsocial onworker cross-border(assistant banking.
  social/maatschappelijk werker) at the public welfare centre of your local municipality (commune/gemeente) (CPAS/OCMW)

Pensions

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

TellRead theState UKPension governmentguidance officesif thatyou dealhave withlived yourin benefits,Australia, pensionCanada andor taxNew ifZealand and you are movingclaiming or retiringwaiting abroad.to claim your UK State Pension.

If you retire in Belgium, you can claim:

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

Read the Money and Pension ServiceService’s MoneyHelper 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 needmust to respond as soon as possiblepossible. –Your your payments may be suspended if you don’t.do not.

BenefitsMoney and banking

Whether UK banks can provide services to customers living in the EEA depends on local laws and regulation.

Read ourthe Money and Pension Service guidance on entitlementbanking, toinsurance UKand benefitsfinancial services for more information on cross-border banking.

Accommodation and pensionsbuying whileproperty

Read youguidance areon livinghow to buy a property in Belgium.

Driving in Belgium

TellYou thecannot UKrenew governmentor officesreplace thatyour dealUK, withGibraltar, yourJersey, benefits,Guernsey pensionor andIsle taxof Man licence if you arelive movingin orBelgium. retiringRead abroad.the guidance on what you must do to drive legally in Belgium:

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• what whichyou UKneed benefitsto drive in the EU
• driving licence rules in Belgium if you canlive claimthere
• road whiletravel abroadin Belgium

Exchanging andyour howUK, toGibraltar claimor them.

Isle of Man licence

ManyIf income-relatedyou benefitslive suchin asBelgium, pensionyou creditmust andexchange housingyour benefitvalid cannotlicence befor paida Belgian one. You do not need to youtake ifa you’redriving abroadtest. forYou morecannot thanuse 4an weeks.International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of exchanging your licence.

You

Exchanging mayyour beJersey eligibleor forGuernsey Belgianlicence

If benefits.you Findhave outa iflicence from Jersey or Guernsey you aremay entitledneed to Belgiantake benefitsa test.

Disabled drivers

If you have a UK Blue Badge and howlive in Belgium, you must return it to claimthe them:

• readoriginal aboutUK issuing authority. You can apply for a new Belgian socialdisabled securityparking benefitscard
• read(in theFrench, Europeanin Union’sDutch and in German).

  Read the EU guidance on claimingthe benefitsEU inparking ancard EUfor countrypeople with disabilities.

  Bringing likea Belgium

• speakUK-registered vehicle to aBelgium

  Read socialour workerguidance (assistanton social/maatschappelijktaking werker)a atvehicle out of the publicUK.

  If welfareyou centreare ofresident in Belgium, you must register your localvehicle municipalitywith (commune/gemeente)the (CPAS/OCMW)

Belgian authorities.

Driving outside Belgium with a Belgian licence

You can requestuse proofyour ofBelgian licence when visiting the timeUK. you’veKeep workedup-to-date inwith the UK fromHighway HMRCCode.

If ifyou go to live in the UK, you arecan askedexchange your Belgian licence for this.a UK one without taking a test.

To drive in another country, in addition to your Belgian licence you may need to apply for an IDP(in French and Dutch).

Read the EU guidance on:

• EU driving licences and insurance
• driving licence exchange and recognition in the EU

Voting

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

Toelections doif so, you must:you:

• 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. ForYou this, you can:

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

Births, deathsdeaths, marriages and gettingcivil marriedpartnerships

If your child is born in Belgium, you willcan register the birth with the UK authorities in addition to registering locally. If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth abroadwith the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.

If someone dies in BelgiumBelgium, youread can:our guidance on:

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

Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership 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

If you have a pet passport issued by Belgium or another EU member state, you can use it to travel with your pet to Great Britain and elsewhere in the EU. Ensure that your pet’s rabies vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel. Vets in Great Britain cannot enter rabies vaccination details in non-UK issued pet passports.

A GB-issued EU pet passport is not valid for travel to the EU or Northern Ireland. YouSpeak should speak to your vet before you travel to get the necessary pet travel documents and ensure you’reyou compliantcomply with the EU Petpet Traveltravel Regulationsregulations.

Read guidance on:

• bringing your pet to GB
• travelling withto yourNorthern petIreland inwith theyour EUpet
• travelling to Northern Ireland with your pet
• travelling with your pet in the EU

CheckBefore you travel, check the rules offor the country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel.requirements.

Emergencies

YouDial can dial the European emergency number on 112 or:in Belgium for the police, ambulance or fire brigade, or dial:

• 100 for medical emergency and fire brigade
• 101 for police
• 116 000 for missing children

Dial the EU 116 000 hotline to report a missing child in the EU country where you live or in another EU country.

Consult the Belgium emergency numbers.

If you need urgentguidance consularon help,child abduction, read the guidance on international parental child abduction; the EU guidance on child abduction and EU guidance on child abduction to another EU country.

If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy Brussels.

Returning to the UK

Check the COVID-19 travel guidance for entering the UK.

Tell the Belgian and UK authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.

To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax,bringing accessfamily tomembers, servicestax and bringingaccess familyto members.services.

If

Useful you have further questions

information

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

Disclaimer

ThisSupport informationfor isBritish providednationals asabroad: a guide only.sets Definitiveout informationhow shouldto bestay obtainedsafe fromabroad, theand Belgianexplains authorities.how Thethe Foreign,FCDO Commonwealthcan &support Developmentyou Officeif willyou notget beinto liable for any inaccuracies in this information.difficulty.