Family entry and settlement
This procedure doesn’t apply for family reunions during holidays/vacation. In this case, only an application to obtain a tourist visa for those travelling is required.
It is easier to arrive with your family in the first instance than to bring them once you have settled in.
The residence application for each member of your family will be made at the same time as yours. The documents required are those which prove links with your family members: certificate of marriage or legal cohabitation, children’s birth certificates, etc. If you are not married to your partner, you can register as a single household.
The formalities described below are relevant only if your family arrives after you have settled in Belgium.
Family reunification
For family reunification in Namur, your spouse should introduce the request at the Belgian embassy once you have fulfilled the following conditions.
You must:
- be registered at the Town Hall as having the status of “married” or legally equivalent or comparable;
- prove that your family will be covered by a health insurance service for the whole family in Belgium (request the document at the Health Insurance Service or “mutuelle”);
- have a suitable housing solution (a registered rental contract);
- have sufficient income to support your family (this document is provided by the Town Hall on the basis of bank statements or salary reports of the last three months).
Application requirements can differ depending on your home country. For up-to-date procedures, you must check the Belgian diplomacy website: https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/services/embassies_and_consulates
A six-month delay after you have submitted all documents to the Belgian embassy is expected before obtaining a visa for your family.
When your family arrives in Namur, all of its members have to go to the Town Hall for registration. Your presence is compulsory on that day.
Your spouse
The same procedure needs to be followed for the registration of the spouse at the City Administration as for the person who is already in the country.
A marriage certificate or a declaration of registered partnership (for non-married couples having followed this procedure in the country of origin), translated into French by a sworn translator, needs to be ready in order to request registration.
A certificate proving Health Insurance membership (Mutuelle) will also be requested.
Children above age 12
The same procedure needs to be followed for the registration of the children at the City Administration as for the person who is already in the country.
- Presence of the child is compulsory
- Presence of the father or the mother (the provider) is compulsory
Required documents:
- Passport or national identity card of the child
- Identity photos
- Birth certificate
- A certificate proving Health Insurance membership (Mutuelle) (see below)
In the case in which a child is declared in the presence of only one of the parents, this parent must show a document of parental permission given by the other parent. This official document is issued by the City Administration in the country of origin or by the consulate, as requested by the other parent. It must be translated into French by a sworn translator.
Certificate of identity (children below age 12)
To be requested at the City Administration at the moment of registration.
- Presence of the child is compulsory
- Presence of the father or the mother (the provider) is compulsory
Required documents:
- Passport or national identity card of the child
- One identity photo
- Birth certificate
In the case in which a child is declared in the presence of only one of the parents, this parent must show a document of parental permission given by the other parent. This official document is issued by the City Administration in the country of origin or by the consulate, as requested by the other parent. It must be translated into French by a sworn translator.
A newborn
A newborn doesn’t receive an identity card, except when travelling to another country. In this case this document must be requested at the City Administration. A photo of the child will be required.
Certificate proving Health Insurance Membership (Attestation de Mutuelle)
The service for foreigners from the City Administration will require a document from your Health Insurance (Mutuelle) proving membership and that your family will be covered. The mutuelle will be the one issuing this document.
Registering for Health Insurance (Mutuelle)
Once the procedure for registering your family at the City Administration is done, you need to request a document called "composition de ménage". This document lists the names of the members of your family living under the same roof.
You will need to submit this document to your Mutuelle in order to complete your file.
