Residence of Ukrainians who had to flee their country
Are you a Ukrainian national, a family member of a Ukrainian or a recognised refugee in Ukraine? Did you flee the country because of the war and are you residing in Leuven? Then you must go through a number of steps to register yourself in the city registry.
Registration
Step 1: Registration with the federal authorities in Brussels
You apply for temporary protection status.
How to apply?
You register at the registration centre in Brussels.
What happens next?
- The federal authorities will investigate whether you can obtain the temporary protection status.
- After a positive decision, the federal authorities will issue you with a temporary protection certificate.
Step 2: Registration long stay with the city of Leuven
Have you received the temporary protection certificate and are you residing in Leuven? Then register yourself with the city.
How to register?
You come to the City Office, by appointment. You will immediately receive confirmation of your registration (an ‘annex 15’).
How to make an appointment?
If you are not in Belgium, you can only make an appointment by phone.
What do you need to bring?
- Proof of identity
- Temporary protection certificate
- Rental contract (if you have one) or residential address (full address in Leuven, including any ‘busnummer’ (flat/room number))
- 1 passport photo
- The photo is no more than 6 months old.
- Pay attention to the requirements for photos.
- There is a photo booth in the city office.
What happens after your appointment?
- The local police officer will pass by to check whether you actually reside at the address which you provided.
- After the police officer has confirmed your address, we will invite you to apply for a residence permit (valid until 4 March 2025).
Renewal of stay
The temporary protection status of Ukrainians has been extended until 4 March 2025.
Who is entitled to the renewal?
- You have temporary protection status
- You have an electronic residence card which is valid until 4 March 2024
- You reside in Leuven
Have you moved to another municipality in the meantime? Then you must contact them.
When can your stay be extended?
The city of Leuven invited all Ukrainians with a temporary residence status to apply for a new residence card. Did you not receive any letter or did you forget to apply for a new residence card? Make an appointment in the city office.
How to make an appointment?
If you are not in Belgium, you can only make an appointment by phone.
Make an appointment for application renewal residence card
What do you need to bring?
- National passport or other proof of identity
- Current residence card
What happens after your application?
Your application must be approved by the Immigration Office. Subsequently, you will receive an invitation to apply for a new residence card at the city office, by appointment.
Reporting a change of address
Are you temporarily staying with a host family or in emergency accommodation? Then it is important to report your change of address as soon as possible after you have moved to a permanent address. This way we can always contact you.
- Are you moving within Leuven?
Report your move online - Are you moving to another Belgian municipality?
Contact the municipality where you are going to reside.
Travelling abroad
Do you want to travel abroad during your stay in Belgium? Make sure that you have a valid passport at all times. The Belgian residence permit is not sufficient for travel, it only proves that you are legally residing in Belgium.
Temporary or permanent departure from Belgium
- Do you want to leave Belgium temporarily for more than 3 months? Then ask for your right to return.
- Are you moving abroad permanently? Then deregister at the city office.
Ukrainian driving license
- If you have the “temporary protection” status
- You do not need to exchange your Ukrainian driving licence to drive in Belgium. Your Ukrainian driving licence is valid for the duration of the “temporary protection” status. This has been the case since 18 July 2022 (European decision).
- Exceptions:
Make an appointment if- Your driving licence expired after 31 December 2021 or was lost or stolen.
- Your driving licence is not on the list of Ukrainian driving licences recognised in Belgium.
- If you do not have the “temporary protection” status
Your Ukrainian driving licence is valid in Belgium for the first 185 days after your registration in Belgium. To be able to keep on driving in Belgium after that, you must exchange your Ukrainian driving licence for a European driving licence.
Will your status change in the future? Then it is important to make an appointment before this change in status takes place.
Would you like more information or do you have questions?
Do you have a question?
Contact us. We are happy to help you.
