Residence card for non-Belgians under the age of 12

For whom can you apply?

For a child who meets all these conditions:

• They are younger than 12
• They don’t 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 have a non-EU/EER nationality 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.

AttentionThis 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?

Maximum 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.

Does your child still have a valid paper 'proof of identity for a child under the age of 12'?

This document remains valid until its expiry date. You may exchange it for an electronic residence card before the expiry date, but this is not mandatory.

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 11 years and 9 months old, they may already apply for this card. However, your child may only collect the card from the day they turn 12.
• 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 renewal of stay.

How to apply?

When to apply?

• Does your child have a non-EU/EEA nationality?
  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.
• Was your child born in Belgium and do you legally reside in Belgium yourself?
  On condition that your child has continuously resided in Belgium since birth, 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 max. 3 year. You apply for a new card yourself before the expiry date. You will not receive an invitation to do so.

AttentionDo 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.
If you are not in Belgium, you can only make an appointment by phone.

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

What do you need to bring?

• National passport or identity card of the parent, fosterparent, legal representative or person in charge of the foster home
  Pay attention: 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
• Previous electronic residence card or ‘proof of identity for a child under the age of 12’, if any
• 1 recent passport-size photo (maximum 6 months old)
  Pay attention to the requirements (Dutch only).
  There is a photo booth in the city office.

Price

• Normal procedure
  • A, B, K or L card: € 11
  • EU(+), F(+) or M(+) card: € 8
• Expedited procedure
  If the application is submitted before 2 pm, delivery the following working day: € 120

Collection of card

When?

When you have received the pin and puk codes at home.

Who?

One of the following persons (the child does not need to come along):

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

What do you need to bring?

• National passport or identity card of the (foster) parent, legal representative or person in charge of the foster home
  Pay attention: 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
• Previous electronic residence card or ‘proof of identity for a child under the age of 12’, if any
• Pin and puk codes of the new residence card

Residence card lost or stolen?

What do you need to do?

1. File a report
   Go to the police to report the loss or theft of your child's residence card or proof of identity. You will receive an 'Annex 12'.
2. Make an appointment
   Make an appointment to apply for a duplicate of the residence card.
   The procedure is the same as when applying for the electronic residence card. You must also bring along the ‘Annex 12’.

Price

• Normal procedure
  • A, B, K or L card: € 13
  • EU(+), F(+) or M(+) card: € 10
• Expedited procedure
  If the application is submitted before 2 pm, delivery the following working day: € 120

Recovered the residence card?

You may no longer use a residence card which you declared lost or stolen. Have the recovered document card revoked by the municipal authorities, and apply for a new one as soon as possible.