Registration at host town

When?

Each international guest must report his/her arrival with the town administration office, the Foreigners' Registration Office (Dienst Burgerzaken/Bureau Vreemdelingen), in the town or area where he/she is settling.

This registration procedure and timing depends on your nationality and length of stay:

  • within 3 working days after arrival (in case of a non-EU/EEA citizen with a short term entrance permit = less than three months)
  • within 8 working days after arrival (in case of a non-EU/EEA citizen with a long term entrance permit = visa type D as an employee or student)
  • within 10 working days after arrival (in case of an EU/EEA citizen with a short term entrance permit = less than three months)
  • within 3 months after arrival (in case of an EU/EEA citizen who wants to apply for a long term residence permit)

Note:
EU = European Union (including Cyprus and Malta) + Switzerland
EEA = European Economic Area (EU + Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein)

In essence, there are two procedures for registering at your host city: the quick and the extended procedure. In the quick procedure less documents and checks are required - it is also quicker. The extended procedure can take up to 4 months and you will be asked to present a lot more official documents.

Non-EU/EEA citizens always have to follow the extended procedure, while EU/EEA citizens can choose depending on their aims during their stay (either a registration or domicile).

More information on the procedure itself...

In any event, you should receive a proof of presence or registration at the city/town. Because you are a registered citizen of a town/country, you will be expected to contribute. This means you will receive official correspondence, such as forms for taxes (incl. provincial tax) and social security contributions.

Where?

In order to fulfill this formality, you have to personally visit the Foreigners' Registration Office. However, there are different offices in Ghent, and it depends on your address (area in which you live) at which one of these you must register. Also, queues will be long, so be prepared and go early.

EU/EEA students can also register online via the website of the City of Ghent. After a policeman has checked your residence, you will receive an e-mail from the city to collect your residence permit.

Tips

Make sure that your name and address are correctly spelled. Also, put your name on your letter box and bell. This way the police officer will not have any trouble locating you. If you have not received a visit after a month's time, contact the Foreigner's Registration Office yourself.

Tell the registration officer what times suit you best for the police visit.

This is not an easy piece of administration. Moreover, the rules and regulations often change. Ask the UGent staff for help if in doubt.

More information