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 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?
Make an appointment at the City Office. During your appointment, you will immediately receive confirmation of your registration (an ‘annex 15’).
How to make an appointment?
You can do so online or by phone.
Online
If you are not in Belgium, you can only make an appointment by phone.
Call us
Leuven Info
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.
- Has the police officer confirmed your address? Then we will invite you to apply for an electronic residence card (valid until 4 March 2027).
Extension of stay
The temporary protection status of Ukrainians has been extended until 4 March 2027.
Who is entitled to the extension?
- You have temporary protection status.
- You have an electronic residence card which is valid until 4 March 2026.
- You reside in Leuven.
Have you moved to another municipality in the meantime? Then you must contact them.
When can your stay be extended?
You could do so from 4 January 2026.
All Ukrainians with temporary residence status have received an invitation.
Didn't receive any invitation? Contact us.
How to apply for residence card after invitation?
You make an appointment when you have received an invitation.
Read how to apply for a residence card
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 card 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?
Ask for your right to return - Are you moving abroad permanently?
Deregister at the city office
Ukrainian driving licence
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 residence status change in the future? Then it is important to make an appointment before this change takes place.
Do you have questions about your driving licence?
Do you have a question?
Contact us. We are happy to help you.