Temporary protection: Belgium
🛰️ Varta monitors 6 official sources for this country — checked daily.
Legal basis: EU Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC + national implementation • status valid until 04/03/2027 • already extended until 04/03/2028
Steps
- 1
Cross the border
Visa-free entry.
📍 Border crossing💳 Free - 2
Register at the gemeente
Register at the municipality; you receive an A card (tijdelijke bescherming) — residence, work, healthcare, education.
📍 Municipality⏰ As soon as possible💳 Free - 3
Healthcare, school, aid
Health insurance via a mutuality (ziekenfonds). Children to school (mandatory from age 5). Aid via OCMW/CPAS.
📍 Mutuality / OCMW💳 Insurance is paid
Documents
Foreign passport
requiredChild’s birth certificate
requiredProof of residence before 24.02.2022
if availablePhoto
requiredUkrainian Embassies and Consulates
Map
Document samples and how to fill them
Name in LATIN letters as in the passport.
Format DD/MM/YYYY.
Foreign passport number.
Address in Belgium: street, number, postcode, city.
❌ Name in Cyrillic ❌ Missing signature
As in the passport.
National register number (from the A card).
Address in Belgium.
❌ Without the A card (register first) ❌ Forgot about subsidies
Benefits
Labour market access
A card holders.
How to apply: Automatic
Social aid (OCMW/CPAS)
Families without income.
How to apply: Local OCMW/CPAS
Wise — transfers without hidden fees
A multi-currency account and transfers between Ukraine and Europe at the real exchange rate. Handy for receiving salary and sending money to family.
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Where to apply
What happens after protection ends
After protection: other residence grounds (work, study, family), permanent residence after 5 years.
What happens when protection ends
These are options for the future — you will need to choose ONE, and not now.
These routes are available outside temporary protection — work, study, family, business, etc.
The description below is a general scheme, similar across countries. Check exact requirements, fees and timelines via the official link in each card — they differ by country and change over time.
💼 Single permit
Those with a valid employment contract in this country.
Passport; employment contract; proof of residence. Authority: Gemeente (municipality).
- Foreign passport
- Employment contract
- Proof of residence
- Health insurance (optional)
Gemeente (municipality)
The employer or the applicant files; the immigration authority decides.
Before the current status or permit expires.
- Collect the card/decision
- Register address and social number
Renewable together with the contract.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🎓 Study — Belgium
Enrolment at an accredited institution.
Acceptance letter; proof of funds; housing; insurance.
- Foreign passport
- Acceptance letter
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance (optional)
Gemeente (municipality)
Apply via the institution or the immigration authority.
Before the semester starts.
- Register at the institution and locally
Yearly with continued studies.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
👨👩👧👦 Family reunification — Belgium
Spouse, children or relatives of a resident or citizen.
Marriage/birth certificates; housing; sponsor income.
- Foreign passport
- Marriage/birth certificate
- Sponsor income proof
- Proof of residence
Gemeente (municipality)
The sponsor or family files; documents need apostille and translation.
Before the current status expires.
- Collect the family member card
Renewable; a path to permanent residence.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏢 Self-employment/business — Belgium
Company or self-employment registration; business plan or contracts.
Registration documents; tax number; funds; housing.
- Foreign passport
- Company/self-employment registration
- Business plan or contracts (optional)
- Proof of residence
Gemeente (municipality)
Register the business, then apply for residence as an entrepreneur.
Before the current status expires.
- Tax registration and bank account
Tied to the company activity.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏠 Permanent residence — Belgium
Usually after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
Stable income; housing; integration/language per national rules.
- Foreign passport
- Income proof
- Proof of residence
- Language/integration certificate (optional)
Gemeente (municipality)
Apply once the required residence period is met.
After the required residence period is met.
- Obtain permanent resident status
Permanent status; card replaced periodically.
Temporary protection time often counts towards the period (per national rules).
Opportunities: housing, jobs, grants
6 verified programmes: housing support, job portals, business grants, free courses — with direct official links and verification dates. Available with Varta.
Forms & samples (PDF)
FAQ
Do I need to do anything to keep my protection after the current period?
The temporary protection status itself is extended automatically until 4 March 2028, but your A card is not: from 4 January 2027 you must go in person to your commune (gemeente/commune) and ask for renewal, and the new A card will be valid until 4 March 2028. The current card expires on 4 March 2027, so do not leave it to the last day. Application window: 04.01.2027 to 04.03.2027. Where: The municipal administration (gemeente / administration communale) of your main place of residence — an in-person visit to the commune's foreigners' service. The card is issued by the commune following instructions from the Immigration Office (Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken / Office des Étrangers, dofi.ibz.be). The registration centre at Belliardstraat 68, Brussels, is only for NEW applications — you do not need to go there for a renewal. Important: Keep two things apart: the status has been extended automatically by the EU decision (you do not have to prove anything), but the A CARD is a document the commune must reissue, and that will not happen without your visit. Practical consequences of an expired card: the right to work in Belgium is tied to holding a valid residence permit («autorisées à travailler à condition d'être en possession de leur titre de séjour»), so with an expired card you risk losing your job and access to your bank, CPAS/OCMW and travel. Source: https://dofi.ibz.be/fr/themes/ukraine/protection-temporaire (checked 03.09.2026).
What is the A card?
The temporary protection card — confirms status and grants residence, work, healthcare rights.
Do I need health insurance?
Yes, mandatory via a mutuality (ziekenfonds). Subsidies exist for low incomes.
Can I work?
Yes, protection status gives free labour market access.
Can I travel to Ukraine without losing my protection?
For up to three months you need not inform anyone. Beyond three months, notifying your commune is mandatory: otherwise you may be struck off the register, which complicates your return. If you receive social assistance, always inform the CPAS, no matter how long the trip: their rules are separate and stricter.
This information is for reference only and is not legal advice.