Residence permit

Citizens of France, Germany, the Netherlands or Luxembourg have the option to apply for a limited registration document, called bijlage 33, instead of a full residence permit.

Advantages of applying for the bijlage 33 instead of the full residence permit: 

• Free to apply for

• Less administrative hassle on arrival, since the process is entirely digital. 

• You keep your registered address in your home country, no need to register in the Belgian population register.  

• You can work as a student. You will receive a Belgian Social Identification number (BIS-number) that you can use to start working. 

• No need to submit a tax return, since you will not be registered in Belgium. 

Trade-off:  

• The bijlage 33 must be renewed every year, with the same documents required each time.

If you would rather not apply for the bijlage 33, you should apply for a full residence permit instead. The procedure for a full residence permit can be found in the dropdown menu below 'Other EEA+ nationals (EU + Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland)'.

Requirements

• You must be officially registered as a resident in either France, Germany, the Netherlands or Luxembourg and have the nationality of one of these countries.

• You will keep your main address in one of those countries.

• You will be staying in Antwerp on a temporary basis.

Application documents 

The following 4 documents are required for the application: 

• a colour copy of your ID card or passport 

• a Standard form residence permit for the current academic year (name in Dutch: Model van Standaardformulier). This is the only document that will be accepted by the immigration office as proof of student enrolment. The document is only available in Dutch. 
  - Degree / Phd Students: Download it from SisA (Documents > Standard form residence permit) after you’ve enrolled at our university, paid the tuition fees and selected the courses of your programme.
  - Exchange / VRS students: you will receive the document by email. 

• a completed, signed and dated information sheet​ (.pdf).
  Please type in the required information. Do not forget to sign the document.  
  Note: There will be no residence check by the police if you apply for bijlage 33. You may type 'Not Applicable' in the ‘information for the police’ block. 

• a passport size photo with white background. This photo will be used for your bijlage 33. 

Procedure to apply for bijlage 33 

Step 1: Gather your documents
Scan each document (not each page) as a .pdf and give each document the correct name. For example, if it is a scan of your passport, name it “passport”. 

​Step 2: Submit your application through the website of the city of Antwerp

Step 3: Receive your temporary residence document bijlage 33
Once your file has been processed by the immigration office, you will receive your residence document bijlage 33 electronically. Print out the document and always carry it with you.

Note: EEA+ nationals holding a valid residence permit for France, Germany, the Netherlands or Luxembourg can also choose to apply for a limited residence document called bijlage 33 instead of a full resience permit. You will have to follow the procedure mentioned under the title ‘Citizens of France, Germany, the Netherlands and Luxembourg’ on this same page, and add a copy of your valid residence permit as an additional document. 

Application documents 

The following documents are required for the residence permit application: 

• a colour copy of your ID card or passport 

• a Standard form residence permit for the current academic year (name in Dutch: Model van Standaardformulier). This is the only document that will be accepted by the immigration office as proof of student enrolment. The document is only available in Dutch. 
  Degree / Phd students: Download it from SisA (Documents > Standard form residence permit) after you’ve enrolled at our university, paid the tuition fees and selected the courses of your programme.  
  Exchange / VRS students: you will receive the document by email. 

• a copy of your European Health Insurance Card (Example document) 

• a copy of the rental agreement for your accommodation in Antwerp 

• a declaration of sufficient financial means 

• a completed, signed and dated information sheet​ (.pdf).  
  - Do not forget to sign the document. 
  - With reference to your Belgian address, make sure to type in your apartment/room number (e.g. 1, 3B, ...) and location (e.g. on the left side of the building).  
  - There is a special field on the information sheet to provide useful information for the police officer, such as your class hours/days, the times/days you are at home. You can also provide other specific details: e.g. that there is only one doorbell or mailbox for several residents, etc. The information you enter will simplify and therefore speed up the residence check procedure.  

Procedure to apply for a residence permit through the city of Antwerp 

Step 1: Gather your documents
Scan each document (not each page) as a .pdf and give each document the correct name. For example, if it is a scan of your passport, name it “passport”

Step 2: Submit your application through the website of the city of Antwerp

Step 3: Receive your bijlage 19 as proof that your application is being processed 
Once your application has been processed by the immigration office, they will send you a document called bijlage 19 by email. This document serves as proof that your application is being processed. 
At the same time, a request will be sent to the police to carry out a residence check. 

Step 4: Residence check by police officer
The police officer will check if you live at the address you entered. It is important you clearly mark your first and family name on both your doorbell and your mailbox. If you are not at home, they will come back at another time.  

Step 5: Request the EU card (1st appointment) 
After your residence check has been completed, you should go to your appointment at GATE 15 to order your EU card. You will be notified about your appointment by email. 
Make sure to bring the following documents to your appointment: 

• your passport or ID card 

• 1 passport size photo (white background) 

• your document bijlage 19, which you received by email 

• a bank card to pay (cash is not accepted) 

At the appointment, you will receive a temporary residence document bijlage 8, valid for 45 days. You will also receive a second appointment to pick up your residence card. 

Step 6: Collect your EU card (2nd appointment) 
You should receive a letter with your pin code by regular mail before the date of your second appointment. Make sure to take your passport or ID card, your pin code letter and your temporary residence document bijlage 8 with you to the appointment.