Step by Step Guide: How to Apply for a Passport in Belgium?
Applying for a Belgian passport is straightforward when you know where to apply, which documents you need, and when you need to provide biometric information.
A Belgian passport is a biometric travel document issued to Belgian citizens. The application process depends mainly on whether you are registered with a municipality in Belgium or with a Belgian embassy or consulate abroad.
Passport validity, fees, processing times, appointment requirements, and procedures can also vary depending on the applicant’s age and where the application is submitted.
This guide explains how to apply for a Belgian passport, including eligibility, required documents, passport photos, biometric information, fees, processing times, urgent applications, renewal, applications for children, and passport services for Belgians living abroad.
Important: Passport fees, processing times, and municipal or consular procedures can change. Always check the latest requirements with your Belgian municipality or the relevant Belgian embassy or consulate before applying.
What Is a Belgian Passport?
A Belgian passport is a biometric travel document issued to Belgian nationals. It can be used for international travel and contains biometric information to help verify the identity of the passport holder.
To apply for an ordinary Belgian passport, you generally need to be a Belgian citizen and be registered with the relevant Belgian municipality, embassy, or consulate.
How Long Is a Belgian Passport Valid?
A Belgian passport is generally valid for:
-
7 years for adults
-
5 years for minors
A passport is normally not extended after its validity period expires. Instead, you need to apply for a new passport.
A passport can also become invalid before its printed expiry date in certain circumstances, such as if it is reported lost or stolen, damaged, full, or if the photograph no longer sufficiently resembles the holder.
Who Is Eligible for a Belgian Passport?
Belgian nationals can apply for a Belgian passport.
Where you apply generally depends on where you are registered.
If You Live in Belgium
If you are registered with a Belgian municipality, you will generally apply through that municipality.
The municipality can provide information about:
-
Application requirements
-
Appointments
-
Local fees
-
Processing options
-
Collection arrangements
If You Live Abroad
If you live outside Belgium and are registered with a Belgian embassy or consulate, you can generally apply through the relevant Belgian diplomatic or consular authority.
Depending on the applicable rules, Belgian citizens registered abroad may also be able to apply at another Belgian consular post or at certain Belgian municipalities.
Because the procedure can differ depending on your registration status, check with the authority where you intend to apply before starting your application.
How to Apply for a Belgian Passport
The Belgian passport application process generally involves the following steps.
Step 1: Confirm Your Belgian Nationality
Before applying, make sure you are a Belgian citizen.
Belgian passports are issued to Belgian nationals. If you are unsure about your nationality or registration status, contact your municipality or the competent Belgian consular authority before applying.
Step 2: Check Your Registration Status
Your registration status usually determines where you should submit your passport application.
Applying in Belgium
If you are registered with a Belgian municipality, you will generally submit your application through that municipality.
Applying From Abroad
If you are registered with a Belgian embassy or consulate, you will generally apply through the relevant Belgian diplomatic or consular post.
If you apply somewhere other than the Belgian post where you are registered, your application may need to be forwarded to the competent post. This can affect processing or delivery times.
Step 3: Gather the Required Documents
Prepare the identification and supporting documents required for your application.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need:
-
Belgian identity card
-
Previous Belgian passport, if applicable
-
Passport application form, where required
-
Recent passport photograph, if required
-
Documents relating to a lost or stolen passport
-
Additional documents for minors
-
Parental-authority or consent documents, where applicable
-
Other supporting documents requested by the municipality or consulate
Requirements can vary depending on your age, registration status, and where you apply.
Check the document list provided by your municipality or Belgian embassy/consulate before your appointment.
Step 4: Prepare Your Passport Photo
A recent colour passport photograph may be required depending on the application procedure.
Many Belgian municipalities and diplomatic or consular posts can take the photograph during the application process, so you may not always need to bring one yourself.
If you bring your own photograph, it must comply with the applicable technical requirements for passport photographs and facial recognition.
For young children who have difficulty remaining still, Belgian authorities may recommend bringing an appropriate photograph where permitted.
Step 5: Book an Appointment if Required
Check whether your municipality, embassy, or consulate requires an appointment.
Many Belgian diplomatic missions use appointment systems for passport applications.
Applicants living abroad should check the website or instructions of the relevant Belgian embassy or consulate before visiting.
Some applications require the applicant to appear in person, particularly when biometric information needs to be collected.
Do not assume that the same appointment rules apply at every Belgian municipality or consular post.
Step 6: Attend Your Passport Appointment
At the appointment, your identity and application information will be checked.
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to provide:
-
Belgian identity card
-
Previous passport, if applicable
-
Passport photograph, if required
-
Completed application form
-
Supporting documents
-
Documents relating to parental authority for a minor, where applicable
The exact requirements depend on your age and personal circumstances.
Step 7: Provide Your Biometric Information
Belgian passports are biometric passports.
Depending on your age and circumstances, biometric information can include:
-
Facial image
-
Fingerprints
-
Digital signature
Belgian Foreign Affairs states that children can register their signature from the age of 6 when they are able to write their name, while fingerprints are collected from applicants aged 12 and older.
The exact biometric procedure depends on where you apply and your age.
Applicants living abroad should follow the biometric-registration instructions provided by their Belgian embassy or consulate.
Step 8: Choose the Passport Processing Option
Depending on where you apply, different passport processing options may be available.
These can include:
-
Standard processing
-
Urgent processing
-
Very urgent processing
The available options, processing times, and fees can vary depending on the municipality or Belgian diplomatic post handling your application.
If you need your passport for upcoming international travel, check whether an urgent or very urgent procedure is available before submitting your application.
Step 9: Pay the Belgian Passport Fee
Passport applications are subject to fees.
The amount you pay can depend on factors such as:
-
Applicant’s age
-
Where you apply
-
Standard or urgent processing
-
Number of pages, where applicable
-
Federal or consular fees
-
Local municipal fees
-
Production and delivery costs
Belgian passport fees can change, so applicants should check the latest fee information with the municipality, embassy, or consulate handling the application.
Do not rely on an old fee table when preparing your application.
Step 10: Wait for Your Belgian Passport to Be Processed
After submitting your application and completing the required procedures, your passport will be processed and produced.
Some applications may require additional checks, which can increase processing times.
Additional checks may apply in certain circumstances, including some cases involving repeated reports of lost or stolen passports or other issues requiring verification.
If you have international travel planned, apply well in advance rather than waiting until the last minute.
Step 11: Collect or Receive Your Belgian Passport
Once your passport is ready, it is generally made available through the municipality, embassy, or consulate where you applied.
Depending on the applicable procedure, you may be able to authorize another person to collect your passport.
Some Belgian embassies and consulates may also offer delivery by monitored mail at the applicant’s expense.
Delivery and collection options vary, so confirm the available options when applying.
How Long Is a Belgian Passport Valid?
A Belgian passport is generally valid for:
-
7 years for adults
-
5 years for minors
However, a passport can become unusable or invalid before the printed expiry date in certain situations.
For example, this may happen if the passport is:
-
Damaged or destroyed
-
Reported lost
-
Reported stolen
-
Full
-
No longer sufficiently representative of the holder’s appearance
The last point can be particularly relevant for young children whose appearance changes significantly as they grow.
How to Apply for a Belgian Passport From Abroad
Belgian citizens living abroad and registered with a Belgian embassy or consulate can access passport services through the Belgian diplomatic network.
Depending on the applicable rules, you may be able to apply:
-
At the Belgian embassy or consulate where you are registered
-
At another Belgian embassy or consulate
-
At certain Belgian municipalities in Belgium
If you have never lived in Belgium, the municipality where you were born may be relevant. If you were neither born nor previously registered in Belgium, a municipality of choice may apply under the applicable rules.
Because these situations can be complicated, contact the relevant Belgian embassy or consulate before travelling to Belgium specifically to apply for a passport.
What Is Biometric Pre-Registration for Belgians Abroad?
Belgian citizens living abroad may be able to pre-register their biometric information.
Eligible Belgians registered with a Belgian diplomatic post can have their biometric data collected before they actually need to apply for a passport.
According to the applicable Belgian Foreign Affairs procedure, biometric pre-registration can be free and may be used for a passport application during the following period.
In some circumstances, this can reduce the need for an additional appointment.
Some Belgian consular posts may also retain biometric information for a specified period, subject to the applicable rules.
How to Get a Belgian Passport for a Child
Belgian children can have their own passports.
A passport issued to a minor is generally valid for 5 years.
Applications for children can involve additional requirements concerning parental authority and consent.
For Belgian children living abroad, the applicable rules can depend partly on the country where the child resides.
Depending on the circumstances, one parent may be able to submit the application alone, while in other cases the consent of the other parent may be required.
Parents should therefore confirm the requirements with the relevant Belgian municipality or consular post before applying.
What to Do If Your Belgian Passport Is Lost or Stolen
If your Belgian passport is lost or stolen, report the loss or theft to the competent Belgian authority as soon as possible.
If You Are in Belgium
Contact the relevant Belgian municipality and follow its instructions for reporting the lost or stolen passport and applying for a replacement.
If You Are Abroad
Contact the Belgian embassy or consulate responsible for your location.
Depending on the circumstances, you may need:
-
Identification documents
-
Information about the lost or stolen passport
-
A police report or proof of theft, where applicable
-
Additional supporting documents
In exceptional circumstances where a normal passport cannot be issued in time, a temporary or provisional travel document may be available.
These documents are intended for specific circumstances and are not a replacement for the normal passport application process.
What If You Need a Belgian Passport Urgently?
Belgium offers urgent and very urgent passport procedures in applicable circumstances.
The available procedure, processing time, cost, and delivery arrangements depend on where you apply.
Before choosing an urgent service, confirm the actual processing and delivery time with the municipality, embassy, or consulate handling your application.
An urgent application does not necessarily guarantee that your passport will arrive before a particular flight or travel date.
Belgian Passport Fees
The cost of a Belgian passport depends on several factors, including:
-
Age
-
Place of application
-
Standard, urgent, or very urgent processing
-
Number of pages, where applicable
-
Federal or consular charges
-
Local municipal charges
-
Production and delivery costs
Local fees can vary between municipalities and diplomatic posts.
Always check the latest official fee information before paying for your passport.
Belgian Passport Application Checklist
Before submitting your application, make sure you have:
-
Belgian nationality
-
Correct registration with a Belgian municipality or Belgian consular service
-
Valid Belgian identification
-
Previous passport, if applicable
-
Required application form
-
Passport photograph, if required
-
Required biometric information
-
Supporting documents for a minor, if applicable
-
Parental-authority or consent documents, where applicable
-
Applicable passport fee
-
Appointment, if required
-
Enough time before your planned international travel
FAQs
Can I Apply for a Belgian Passport Online?
The Belgian passport process generally involves identity verification and biometric information, so applicants should follow the procedure provided by their municipality, embassy, or consulate.
Do not assume that the entire passport application can be completed online.
How Long Is a Belgian Passport Valid?
A Belgian passport is generally valid for 7 years for adults and 5 years for minors.
Are Fingerprints Required for a Belgian Passport?
Fingerprints are generally collected from Belgian passport applicants aged 12 and older, subject to the applicable rules.
Do Children Need a Belgian Passport?
Yes. Belgian children can have their own passport.
A passport issued to a minor is generally valid for five years.
Can Belgians Living Abroad Apply for a Passport?
Yes. Belgian citizens registered with a Belgian embassy or consulate can apply through the applicable Belgian diplomatic or consular authority.
Certain Belgian municipalities may also be available depending on the applicant’s registration status.
Can I Apply at a Different Belgian Consulate?
Depending on the applicable rules, Belgian citizens registered with one consular post may be able to apply at another Belgian embassy or consulate.
Contact the relevant Belgian diplomatic post before applying because additional procedures may apply.
What Documents Do I Need for a Belgian Passport?
You will generally need identification, such as a Belgian identity card, and your previous passport if applicable.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also need a photograph, application forms, documents relating to a lost or stolen passport, or additional documents for a minor.
How Much Does a Belgian Passport Cost?
The cost depends on where you apply, the processing method, the number of pages where applicable, federal or consular fees, production and delivery costs, and possible local fees.
Check the latest fee with your municipality or Belgian embassy/consulate.
Can I Get a Belgian Passport Urgently?
Yes. Belgium has urgent and very urgent passport procedures in applicable circumstances.
The available options, fees, and processing times depend on where you apply.
What Should I Do If I Lose My Belgian Passport?
Report the loss as soon as possible and contact the relevant Belgian municipality or diplomatic authority.
If you are abroad, contact the Belgian embassy or consulate responsible for your location and follow its instructions for obtaining a replacement or, where applicable, a temporary travel document.
Final Answer
Applying for a Belgian passport generally involves these steps:
Confirm Belgian nationality → Check your registration status → Gather the required documents → Prepare a passport photo if required → Book an appointment if necessary → Attend the application appointment → Provide biometric information → Choose the processing option → Pay the applicable fee → Wait for processing → Collect or receive your passport.
Belgian citizens living in Belgium generally apply through their municipality, while Belgian citizens registered abroad can use the relevant Belgian embassy or consulate and, in some circumstances, certain Belgian municipalities.
Belgian passports are generally valid for 7 years for adults and 5 years for minors.
Because passport fees, processing times, biometric requirements, and appointment procedures can change, always confirm the latest requirements with the Belgian municipality, embassy, or consulate handling your application before submitting it.
Also Read:-
AI Business Ideas to Start in Europe in 2026
Step by Step Guide: How to Apply for a Passport in the Portugal?
Step by Step Guide: How to Apply for a Passport in Spain?