For whom can you apply?

For a child who meets all these conditions:

• They are younger than 12.
• They do not have Belgian nationality.
• They legally reside in Belgium.

Is the card mandatory?

The residence card is not mandatory, but we do recommend it.

When do you need the card?

• To travel
  Does your child not have the nationality of an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, and are you travelling outside of Belgium? When you return to Belgium, your child must be able to prove that they legally reside in Belgium. This can only be done by means of this residence card.
• For school, sports club ...
  Sometimes the school, sports club or other organisation requires proof that your child officially resides in Belgium, e.g. for an excursion. You can prove this with the residence card.

Attention This residence card is not sufficient for travel. Your child also requires a passport or proof of identity issued by the country of origin.

How long is the card valid for?

• The card is valid for no more than 3 years.
• The validity period depends on the residence status.
• If your child no longer sufficiently resembles the photo, it is best to apply for a new card earlier.

Will your child turn 12 soon?

From the age of 12, it is mandatory for non-Belgian children to have an electronic residence card.

• As soon as your child is 12 years old, they may apply for this card.
• Does your child already have an electronic residence card for children younger than 12 and is it valid beyond the 12th birthday? In that case, your child only has to apply for a new card by the time it will expire.
  Pay attention: in some cases your child first has to apply for extension of stay.

How to apply?

When to apply?

• Your child was born abroad
  • Does your child not have the nationality of an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland?
    At first registration or after approval of a renewal application, you will receive an invitation to apply for a residence card for your child.
  • Does your child already legally reside in Belgium, but they don’t yet have a residence card?
    Then you can apply for the card at any time.
• Your child was born in Belgium
  Do you legally reside in Belgium yourself and had your child continuously resided in Belgium since birth? If so, they are automatically entitled to a residence card. You can apply for one at any time.
• Is your child entitled to a stay of more than 3 years?
  Your child’s residence card is valid for no more than 3 years. You apply for a new card yourself before the expiry date. You will not receive an invitation to do so.

Attention Do you wish to travel with your child?
Then apply for the electronic residence card in good time.

What do you need to do?

You make an appointment.

Who comes to the appointment?

Your child comes to the city office together with one of the following:

• Parent or foster parent
• Legal representative (e.g. a guardian)
• Person in charge of the foster home

How to make an appointment?

You can do so online or by phone. If you are not in Belgium, you can only make an appointment by phone.

Online

Make an appointment

Call us

What do you need to bring?

For all applications

• National passport or identity card of person accompanying the child
  Please note: a foster parent or the person in charge of the foster home must also bring along the ruling of placement.
• Parent’s Belgian residence permit
• Child’s national passport or proof of identity
• Passport photo
  • Child younger than 3
    • Bring 1 passport photo.
    • The photo is no more than 6 months old, pay attention to the requirements.
  • From the age of 3
    Do not bring a passport photo. We will take one free of charge during your appointment.
• Previous electronic residence card, if any

Additional document for application of new residence card after loss of theft

• Annex 12 or ‘certificate of loss’

Price

• Regular procedure
  • A, B, K or L card: € 13
  • EU(+), F(+) or M(+) card: € 10
• Expedited procedure
  If you apply before 2 pm, delivery the following working day: € 130

Collection of card

When?

When you have received the PIN code at home.

How?

Read how to collect residence card

Residence card lost or stolen?

Read what you have to do in case of loss or theft