Temporary Protection in Belgium: From Annexe 15 to A Card

You arrived in Belgium, walked into the registration center - and there’s a three-hour queue, half your documents got rejected, and they’re sending you to “the commune where you live.” What commune? Where is it? And why did they hand you some paper called “Annexe 15” instead of a proper ID card? Nobody explained. Sound familiar? Let’s break down how temporary protection actually works in Belgium, from the first step to getting your A card.

Who’s eligible for temporary protection in Belgium¶

Temporary protection (protection temporaire / tijdelijke bescherming) is a special status the EU introduced for Ukrainians after February 24, 2022. In Belgium, it gives you the right to live, work, access healthcare and receive social support - all legally.

You’re eligible if you’re:

• A Ukrainian citizen who lived in Ukraine before February 24, 2022
• A family member - spouse, minor children, or other dependent relatives who lived together
• A stateless person or third-country national who had permanent residence in Ukraine and can’t return to their country of citizenship

As of 2026, over 101,500 Ukrainians have received temporary protection in Belgium. The status has been extended until March 4, 2027 - a decision made by the EU Council in 2025.

Registration step by step: from the center to your commune¶

The process has three main stages. Each comes with its own quirks.

Step 1: Register at the center¶

First, you need to show up in person at the registration center of the Immigration Office (Office des Etrangers / Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken) in Brussels at Rue Belliard 68, 1000 Bruxelles.

The center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM. Get there early - queues can be long, especially at the start of the week. Bring with you:

• Your passport or ID card (any photo document proving Ukrainian citizenship)
• Children’s birth certificates if you’re traveling with family
• Marriage certificate - to prove family ties
• Any documents proving you lived in Ukraine before February 24, 2022

They’ll collect your biometric data (fingerprints) and take your photo. After verifying your documents, you get a temporary protection certificate (attestation de protection temporaire).

Step 2: Register at your commune¶

Take that certificate to the commune (municipality) where you live. Think of it as your local government office. Here they’ll issue your Annexe 15 - a temporary document confirming your right to stay.

The commune will then send police to verify you actually live at the address you declared (controle de residence). It’s a standard check - a local officer comes by, confirms you’re living there, and reports back to the commune.

One Ukrainian in a Belgium expat group shared: “Went to the commune in Anderlecht, everything took 20 minutes - got my Annexe 15, they explained the next steps. But a friend in a small commune near Liege waited two weeks just for an appointment.” So if you live in a larger city, the process is usually faster.

Step 3: Get your A card¶

Once the residence check is done, the commune orders your A card (carte A / A-kaart). This is a biometric plastic card - your actual residence permit.

Here’s how card issuance works:

1. First visit to the commune - submit your photo and pay the administrative fee
2. Wait for your PIN code by mail (usually 1-2 weeks)
3. Second visit - activate the card and pick it up

From initial registration to A card in hand, expect 2 weeks to 3 months - depending on your commune. Larger cities (Brussels, Antwerp) tend to take longer.

Annexe 15 vs A card - what’s the difference¶

Annexe 15 (Bijlage 15 in Dutch) is a temporary certificate they give you while your A card is being processed. It’s valid for 45 days. If the commune hasn’t produced your A card by then, you can renew the Annexe 15 for free - just go to the commune and ask.

With Annexe 15, you can already work, open a bank account, enroll your kids in school, and receive social support from CPAS (Centre public d’action sociale) or OCMW (the Dutch equivalent).

The A card is the real deal - a proper ID card for foreign nationals. It lets you travel across the Schengen zone and is accepted as proof of identity everywhere in Belgium.

What documents you need and what needs translation¶

For the registration center, originals are usually enough - they don’t typically ask for translations at this stage. But later, at the commune level and for other institutions, you’ll need translated documents.

Documents that need sworn translation¶

• Birth certificate - for registration in the population register (Registre de la population)
• Marriage certificate - to confirm marital status
• Divorce certificate or court decision - if applicable
• Children’s birth certificates - for registering minors
• Criminal record certificate - some communes require it for further processing

The translation must be done by a sworn translator (beedigd vertaler / traducteur jure) registered in Belgium’s National Registry with a VTI number. Since December 2022, sworn translation in Belgium means a PDF with a qualified digital signature.

Which language to translate into¶

This depends on where you live. Belgium has three language regions, and each commune operates in its region’s language:

Before ordering a translation, always check with your commune first. A translation in the wrong language won’t be accepted, and you’ll end up paying twice.

Apostille¶

Ukrainian civil status documents (birth, marriage, divorce) need an apostille. Some communes make exceptions for Ukrainians under temporary protection and accept documents without an apostille. But if you can get one - do it, it’ll save you headaches down the line.

A translation done in Ukraine (even a notarized one) isn’t recognized in Belgium. You need a translation from a translator listed in Belgium’s National Registry.

How much translation costs and where to find a translator¶

You can find a sworn translator in the official Ministry of Justice registry: JustSearch - enter your language pair (e.g., “Ukrainian - French”) and you’ll see all registered translators with VTI numbers.

ChatsControl can help you prepare a draft translation or understand the content of a complex document before ordering from a sworn translator - saving you both time and money.

Your rights under temporary protection¶

The A card (or Annexe 15 while you’re waiting) gives you access to a full package of rights.

Work. You can work without an additional work permit. Any type of employment - employee, self-employed, even volunteer. The only condition is having a valid document (Annexe 15 or A card) on you.

Healthcare. Register with a health insurance fund (mutuelle / mutualiteit) - after that, you get medical coverage on the same terms as Belgian residents. Doctor visits, medication, hospitalization - all covered.

Education. Children under 18 get free access to schools and kindergartens. Adults can sign up for free language courses - honestly, that’s one of the first things you should do after registration.

Social support. You’re entitled to help from CPAS/OCMW - the local social welfare center. They assist with housing, basic needs, and integration. The support amount is the living wage (leefloon / revenu d’integration sociale), which in 2026 is roughly 1,100-1,500 EUR per month depending on family status.

Travel. With an A card, you can travel freely within the Schengen zone for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Just remember: if you leave Belgium without your A card or Annexe 15, you might have trouble getting back in.

Extension until 2027: what you need to do¶

The EU Council extended temporary protection until March 4, 2027. For those who already have an A card, the renewal process is straightforward:

1. Go to your commune
2. Apply for the A card extension
3. Pay the administrative fee (24-30 EUR for adults, 11-12 EUR for children under 12)
4. Receive your new card valid until March 4, 2027

If your card is expiring and the new one hasn’t been issued yet, the commune will give you a registration certificate that temporarily replaces the card.

If you’ve just arrived and are registering for the first time, you’ll get an A card valid until March 4, 2027 right away. No need to go through the whole process again later.

FAQ¶

How do I get temporary protection in Belgium in 2026-2027?¶

Register in person at the Immigration Office center (Rue Belliard 68, Brussels). Bring your passport, certificates (birth, marriage), and documents proving you lived in Ukraine before 24.02.2022. After registration, you’ll receive a certificate to take to your local commune for your Annexe 15 and then A card.

How much does the A card cost in Belgium?¶

Annexe 15 costs 10-17 EUR. The A card is 24-30 EUR for adults and 11-12 EUR for children under 12. The exact amount depends on the commune - in Brussels, for example, the standard procedure is 30 EUR and the urgent one is 150 EUR.

What rights does temporary protection give you in Belgium?¶

The right to work without a separate permit, health insurance through a health fund (mutuelle), social support from CPAS/OCMW (living wage of roughly 1,100-1,500 EUR/month), free education for children, language courses for adults, and free movement across the Schengen zone with an A card.

Do I need sworn translation of documents for temporary protection in Belgium?¶

For the initial registration at the center, originals are usually sufficient. But for your commune, you’ll need a sworn translation of birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other civil status documents. The translation must be done by a translator from Belgium’s National Registry (with a VTI number).

How long does it take to get the A card after registration?¶

Between 2 weeks and 3 months - depends on the commune. While you wait, you have your Annexe 15 (valid for 45 days, renewable), which gives you the same work and social support rights.