Consular registration

Why registering

If you are Belgian and you are settled in the Republic of Bulgaria, the Republic of North Macedonia or the Republic of Albania, registration in the population registers at the Consulate General is strongly recommended, as it allows you to access services equivalent to those offered by the municipal administrations in Belgium. Administrative assistance is only granted to Belgians who are registered in the consular population register.

This includes, among others, the following services: applying for or renewing your passport or identity card (e-ID, Kids-ID), obtaining a consular certificate (certificate of residence, certificate of nationality, etc.), registering a newborn child, or participating in Belgian or European federal elections.

The career consulate will be able to help you more quickly if your file is up to date, also in cases where you need urgent humanitarian assistance (e.g. in the event of accidents, natural disasters, evacuations, etc.).

Persons of foreign nationality who belong to your family may also be registered in the population registers. However, this does not give them the right to obtain a consular identity card or a passport, nor the right to be registered as a Belgian voter. In terms of consular assistance, they will have to contact the representation of their country of origin.

How to register

You can first submit your application at the counter after making an appointment via the e-appointment platform. You will then have to submit the application forms (available on the website of the FPS Foreign Affairs) duly completed, as well as the supporting documents attesting to your actual stay in the country:

• One form per family member. For minors, please use the appropriate form. Both parents sign the form for the minor.
• A document that proves your address: certificate from the local authorities, electricity/water bill, rental lease, etc.
• A copy of your long-term visa or residence document (residence permit or local identity card).
• A copy of the Belgian identity card and/or a copy of the Belgian passport.
• The registration form for the elections for Belgians abroad and possibly the proxy form. See the elections section for more information.
• Use the specific form for the registration of non-Belgian family members living at your address.

You also have the option of registering by email or ONLINE in the consular population registers. You have access to online registration if you:

• are Belgian;
• are not (or no longer) registered in a Belgian municipality, because you have informed this municipality of your departure abroad;
• have a valid and activated Belgian eID card;
• know your PIN code and have a card reader.