Do I need to register or declare official residency during my stay in Brussels?

Coming to Brussels for an internship or a temporary stay?

You’re not alone!

At Bed&Brussels, we welcome interns, Erasmus students, PhD candidates, consultants, and expats every year for temporary stays in Brussels, often lasting from 1 to 6 months.

Two questions come up very often:

Do I need to declare official residency (domiciliation) in Brussels during my stay?
Can the property owner refuse to allow domiciliation?

1. Do I need to declare official residency in Brussels during my stay?

If you are a foreign national (EU or non-EU) and staying for more than 3 months, you are required to register with the local municipality (commune) of your place of residence.

2. Registering with the municipality ≠ Declaring Belgium as your main residence

Registering with the local municipality does not necessarily mean transferring your official main residence for tax or civil purposes, especially if:

You keep your permanent home in your country of origin
You are temporarily staying in Belgium as part of a program (Erasmus, internship, temporary assignment, consultancy, etc.)
You return to your home country at the end of your stay

In this case, Belgium is considered a declared temporary place of residence, but not your main legal or fiscal residence.

3. Can the property owner refuse domiciliation?

Yes, in some cases. Some property owners—especially those who live on-site—prefer not to allow domiciliation because it can:

Change the official composition of the household
Affect local taxes (waste collection, housing, etc.)
Impact their social or fiscal benefits

Our accommodation listings clearly indicate when domiciliation is not allowed, so you can make an informed decision before booking.

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Au petit CastelFURNISHED FLATS AND GÎTES

Au petit Castel, is one of 350 furnished accommodation offers in Brussels, including shared flats, studios, furnished flats and bed and breakfasts.

Woluwe-Saint-Lambert

4. What is the registration procedure like?

1. Signing the rental agreement between you and the property owner

2. Scheduling an appointment with the local municipality (commune)

3. Providing the required documentsIdentity document
Rental agreement

4. Home visit by a local officer to verify your presence

Conclusion: Get informed and plan ahead

Domiciliation is not always allowed in all types of accommodation, especially in shared housing or coliving situations
Discuss it in advance to avoid misunderstandings or blocked administrative procedures
Bed&Brussels listings clearly indicate whether domiciliation is accepted or not

Need personalized advice?

Contact the Bed&Brussels team – we’re here to guide you every step of the way during your stay.

Do I need to register or declare official residency during my stay in Brussels ?