Summary
Anyone living in Belgium, whether Belgian or a foreigner, are obliged to notify their change of address to the local authority in which they will take up residence. When you change your address, even if you move within the same municipality, you must report it.
After your move, you can declare your change of address directly to the population department or report it in writing, by fax or by electronic means (via e‑guichet).
The only condition is that you provide sufficient identification by giving your personal details and your national registration number.
If the change of address concerns the whole family, it is sufficient for one of the adult members of the family to make the declaration.
If a minor changes address, they must be accompanied by a person exercising parental authority.
In detail
Once you have made this declaration, the local authority will ask a neighbourhood officer or authorised official to visit your address to check that you do in fact have your main residence at the address you have given. After this visit, if it is positive, your address will be changed in the population register of the municipality and in the National Register. Anyone failing to do this whom the police finds are no longer residing at their main residence and whose real address is unknown may be removed automatically from the register, resulting in the loss of many social and political rights, including the right to vote.
Finally, you must present yourself to the population service in your municipality as soon as possible so that this service can adjust your identity card and that of the other members of your family, if necessary. Don't forget to take your identity card and your PIN and PUK codes with you.
Costs
The cost varies from EUR 5 to EUR 10, depending on your municipality. Please contact the population service in your municipality of residence.
Deadline
After your move, you have 8 working days within which to declare your change of address to the population service of your new residence.
If you fail to do this, or do it late, criminal penalties may apply.