Ukrainian Driving License Exchange in Belgium: Guide 2026

185 days - that’s how long you have after registering in Belgium to exchange your Ukrainian driving license for a Belgian one. But if you’re under temporary protection, you don’t need to exchange at all - you can keep driving with your Ukrainian license until March 2027. Sounds straightforward, but there are plenty of details to get right: which language to pick for the translation, where to find a sworn translator with a VTI number, and why the police verification takes two months. Let’s break it down step by step.

When your Ukrainian license works in Belgium without exchange¶

It all comes down to your residence status.

Temporary protection¶

If you came to Belgium because of the war and have temporary protection, your Ukrainian driving license is valid for the entire duration of protection. The EU Council extended it to March 4, 2027 - and Belgium fully recognizes this.

What this means in practice:

• Your Ukrainian license is recognized automatically - no translations, certificates, or extra documents needed
• Even if your license expired after December 31, 2021 - it’s still valid (EU Regulation 2022/1280)
• No International Driving Permit required
• The 185-day rule doesn’t apply to you

So if you’re under temporary protection - you can drive with your Ukrainian license and skip the whole exchange process. But there’s a catch: temporary protection won’t last forever. If you’re planning to stay in Belgium long-term, it makes sense to start the exchange now - while there’s no deadline pressure.

Without temporary protection¶

If you have a regular residence permit - work, family, or study - the rules are different. Your Ukrainian license is valid for only 185 days from the date you register at your Belgian commune.

After 185 days, driving with a Ukrainian license is a violation. The fine can run into several hundred euros, plus you’ll have insurance problems if you’re in an accident. So 185 days is a hard deadline. Start the exchange process right after you register, because the police verification alone takes about two months.

What you need for the exchange: documents and translation¶

There’s no bilateral agreement between Ukraine and Belgium for driving license exchange (unlike Italy or Spain). But Belgium recognizes Ukrainian licenses under the Geneva and Vienna Conventions - and allows exchange without exams. It’s a purely administrative process: collect your documents, submit to the commune, wait.

Document checklist¶

The big thing here is the translation. Your Ukrainian license is in Ukrainian, and Belgium only accepts documents in French, Dutch, German, or English. So a sworn translation (beëdigde vertaling / traduction jurée) is mandatory.

Which language to translate into¶

This depends on where you live - Belgium is split into language regions:

Get the language wrong - and the commune won’t accept it. You’ll have to order a new translation. One user in a Ukrainian community group in Belgium shared: “I live near Antwerp, ordered a French translation because friends said it’s cheaper. The commune wouldn’t even look at it. Had to order again in Dutch - another 50 euros and a week of waiting.” Always check the language with your commune before ordering.

Where to find a sworn translator¶

The translation must be done by a translator registered in Belgium’s National Register with a VTI number. Since December 2022, sworn translations are PDF files with a qualified digital signature.

Where to look:

1. JustSearch - the official Ministry of Justice register: justsearch.just.fgov.be. Enter the language pair “Ukrainian - Dutch” (or French) and you’ll see all registered translators
2. CBTI-BKVT - the Belgian Chamber of Translators: cbti-bkvt.org
3. Ukrainian communities in Belgium - they often recommend trusted translators

Location doesn’t matter - a translator in Brussels can do the translation for a commune in Ghent. Everything works online: you send a scan of your license, receive a signed PDF by email.

ChatsControl can help you prepare a draft translation or understand your document’s content before ordering from a sworn translator - saving you time.

Step-by-step exchange procedure at the commune¶

Step 1: Order the sworn translation¶

Find a translator with a VTI number on JustSearch, send them a scan of your driving license, receive a PDF with a digital signature. Takes 2-5 business days, costs 40-70 euros.

Step 2: Book an appointment at your commune¶

Driving license exchange is handled by your commune (gemeente/commune), not some centralized office. You can book online (for example, via MyBXL in Brussels) or by calling your commune directly.

Step 3: Submit your documents¶

Show up with the full set: original Ukrainian license, sworn translation, ID or residence card, photo. Pay the fees on site.

The commune will check your documents and send your license to the Belgian Federal Police for verification.

Step 4: Wait for police verification¶

The Federal Police checks whether your Ukrainian license is genuine and hasn’t been revoked. This is mandatory - Belgium verifies every non-EU license.

Timeline: approximately 2 months. Sometimes faster, sometimes longer - depends on workload. While you wait, you can still drive with your Ukrainian license (as long as you’re within the 185-day window or have temporary protection).

Step 5: Pick up your Belgian license¶

Once verification is done, the commune notifies you. You come in, order the Belgian license (production takes 5 business days), and pick it up. The original Ukrainian license stays with the commune.

Total time from submission to Belgian license in hand: 2-3 months.

How much does it cost¶

For comparison: in Italy the exchange costs €145-240 (more expensive due to mandatory medical exam and stamp duties), and in Germany it’s €1,500-2,500 (because you have to pass both theory and practical exams from scratch). Belgium is one of the cheapest options in the EU.

The biggest expense is the sworn translation. The Ukrainian-Dutch pair is usually pricier than Ukrainian-French because there are fewer translators. Rush translation (24-48 hours) costs 50% more.

Comparison with other EU countries¶

Belgium wins on both price and no-exam policy. The key is not missing the 185-day deadline (if you’re not under temporary protection).

Special cases¶

DIIA digital license¶

The digital license from the DIIA app doesn’t work for exchange at the commune - you need the physical original. But for everyday driving (under temporary protection), the digital version is recognized thanks to EU Regulation 2022/1280.

Expired license¶

If your license expired after December 31, 2021 and you have temporary protection - it’s valid for driving. For exchange, you need a valid license. You can renew through the Ukrainian consulate or the DP “Document” service.

Lost or stolen license¶

If your Ukrainian license is lost or stolen, there’s an exceptional procedure. Belgium can issue a temporary Belgian license with code 99.01, valid for the duration of temporary protection (until March 4, 2027). You’ll need to prove you held a valid license in Ukraine.

Professional drivers¶

Professional drivers (categories C, D) need code 95 - professional driver qualification. Two options:

• Complete 35 hours of training in Belgium
• Pass the Belgian basic qualification exam

Code 95 goes either on a separate certificate (if you’ve been registered less than 185 days) or on your Belgian driving license (if more).

Ukrainian translations don’t count¶

A notarized translation from Kyiv isn’t recognized in Belgium - not even with an apostille. You need a translation exclusively from a translator in Belgium’s National Register with a VTI number. It’s a PDF with a qualified digital signature - paper translations with stamps are no longer accepted.

FAQ¶

Do I need to exchange my Ukrainian driving license in Belgium?¶

If you have temporary protection - no, your Ukrainian license is valid for the entire protection period (until March 4, 2027). If you have a regular residence permit - yes, you must exchange within 185 days of registering at your commune.

How much does it cost to exchange a driving license in Belgium?¶

€75-125 total: sworn translation (€40-70), license fee (€25-38), verification (€5), photo (€5-10). The exact amount depends on your commune and the translation language pair.

Which language should I translate my driving license into for a Belgian commune?¶

It depends on the region: in Flanders - Dutch, in Wallonia - French, in Brussels - either Dutch or French (your choice), in the German-speaking Community - German. Before ordering, call your commune to confirm the language.

Do I need to take driving exams for the exchange in Belgium?¶

No, for standard categories (A, B) no exams are required. Belgium recognizes Ukrainian licenses under the Geneva and Vienna Conventions and allows administrative exchange. For professional categories (C, D), additional qualification (code 95) is needed.

How long does the driving license exchange take in Belgium?¶

2 to 3 months. The main delay is the police verification of your license’s authenticity (about 2 months). After verification, the Belgian license is produced in 5 business days.