If you are planning to leave Ukraine and need information about legislation, rights, temporary protection or services in a foreign country, contact us and book an online appointment on our website. Our lawyers will provide answers to your questions and help you find a solution to your problem. We understand that legal matters can create stress and anxiety, but our professionals are ready to take on the responsibility and relieve you and your family of unnecessary burden.
Who is this information for?
Temporary protection applies to:
- Citizens of Ukraine and their family members, whose main place of residence was in Ukraine until February 24, 2022.
- Stateless persons and citizens of third countries, except Ukraine, who:
– received international protection or equivalent national protection in Ukraine and their family members, whose main place of residence was in Ukraine until February 24, 2022
– have a valid unlimited right to reside in Ukraine
– cannot return to their country of origin or a region within the country of origin under safe conditions.
Family members of the categories listed above are:
- Spouse or partner in a long-term relationship as defined by Belgian law on foreigners.
- Unmarried minor children.
- Other close relatives who lived in the family at the time of the mass influx of displaced persons and who were completely or almost completely dependent on the family.
Citizens of third countries with a short-term residence permit in Ukraine (for example, students or workers) are not entitled to temporary protection in Belgium. They have the opportunity to apply for internationalprotection. General information about support services for displaced persons from Ukraine is available here.
Belgium: immigration information
What documents are required for entry?
Although you may not need to present any document when entering the country, the following documents are required to apply for temporary protection in Belgium:
- Identity documents (passports or identity documents);
- Biometric data (fingerprints);
- Documents confirming that the person had the main place of residence in Ukraine until February 24, 2022.
Can I enter if I do not have a biometric passport?
Immigrants from Ukraine who do not have a biometric passport can also come to Belgium.
How long can I stay?
People who came from Ukraine and are granted temporary protection can stay in Belgium for one year and up to a maximum of 3 years upon request for renewal.
Those who have not been granted temporary protection can enter and stay legally in Belgium for 90 days without a residence permit. This 90-day period can be extended to a maximum of 180 days if the situation in Ukraine does not allow safe return after the end of the first 90-day period. A request for such an extension can be submitted to the municipal office at the place of residence in Belgium.
In principle, regular covid-19 requirements remain applicable. For individuals traveling to Belgium from Ukraine, this includes the following requirements:
- Filling in the passenger locator questionnaire within 48 hours before arrival in Belgium.
- Obtaining a Covid-19 certificate, digital or printed – before arrival in Belgium. Specifically, this certificate must be one of the following documents:
- Vaccination certificate confirming that the person is fully vaccinated against Covid-19. A full vaccination certificate (1/1 for Johnson&Johnson, 2/2 for Moderna, Pfizer and AstraZeneca) is valid for 270 days (9 months). After the booster dose, the vaccination certificate remains valid indefinitely.
- A recovery certificate confirming that the person has been infected with COVID-19 and has recovered. These certificates are available from 11 to 180 days after a positive test.
- A test certificate confirming that you have taken a PCR test with a negative result.
- A mandatory 10-day quarantine must be observed, and persons from Ukraine must take a PCR test on the 1st and 7th day of quarantine. If this second PCR test is negative, the quarantine can be lifted.
It is not yet clear what exceptions to the requirements mentioned above may apply to displaced persons from Ukraine.
Where to register for temporary protection?
You can register at the Immigration Office registration center (from Monday 14/03 at Brussels Expo, Palais 8 (Heysel)) by visiting in person from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm (open 7 days a week). You can also book an appointment online . The waiting time can be considerable. During registration, applicants present identity documents (listed below).
Please consider the following practical tips for registration:
- In order to book an appointment, you need a Belgian IP address. This means that you must use a SIM card from a Belgian operator or you must be connected to a Belgian Wi-Fi network.
- Fill out the form and reserve a time slot to register yourself and your family.
- You will receive a QR code by email. Check your Spam folder.
- Come to the appointment at the registration center with your QR code and identification documents.
How long does it take to receive temporary protection status?
Successful applicants will either receive confirmation of temporary protection immediately or be invited to visit the Immigration Office Headquarters (Pacheco Building) at a later date to receive a certificate of temporary protection.
What are my rights while waiting for temporary protection?
If you meet the conditions for temporary protection, you will be granted an Annex 15 (see below), which gives you limited access to the Belgian labor market.
What documents are required to apply for temporary protection?
Applicants will submit the following documents for the application for temporary protection:
- Citizens of Ukraine :
- Proof of citizenship that includes a photo ID (eg biometric or other passport, national ID, driver’s license).
- Citizens of third countries or stateless persons who enjoy protection in Ukraine:
- Proof of identification containing photographic identification (eg biometric passport, national identity card, driver’s license, residence permit).
- Confirmation of protection status in Ukraine (for example, residence permit).
- Family members :
- Proof of identity containing photographic identification (for example, biometric or other passport, national identity card, driver’s license, residence permit).
- Proof of family relationship, for example, marriage certificate, birth certificate. In principle, these documents should be apostilled, but we expect the authorities to be lenient.
- If applicable: evidence that he is part of the family and dependent of the main applicant (eg proof of residential address, photographs, utility bills, medical certificates).
- Proof of citizenship that includes a photo ID (for example, biometric or other passport, national ID, driver’s license);
What documents will I receive after receiving temporary protection?
After you register at the registration center, you will first receive an application 15, which is valid for 45 days, giving you limited access to the labor market (subject to the conditions of temporary protection).
After that, you will receive a temporary certificate of protection. On the basis of this certificate, the municipal administration at the place of residence issues the person an A card valid until March 4, 2023.
The A-card, which is a residence permit and gives unlimited access to the Belgian labor market.
Can I become a citizen after receiving temporary protection? How long do I have to stay to be eligible?
No, an A-card issued under temporary protection status does not entitle you to Belgian citizenship.
There are several conditions for obtaining Belgian citizenship, one of which is that a natural person must legally reside in Belgium for at least 5 years, according to one of the residence titles listed by law.
Can I move freely within the country and the European Union while under temporary protection?
Yes, you can travel within the European Union for up to 90 days after receiving the A-card.
Can I apply for asylum while under temporary protection?
Yes, although your asylum application will be suspended until the end of the temporary protection scheme, which means you should apply for temporary protection first.
Citizens of third countries with a short-term residence permit in Ukraine (for example, students or workers) are not entitled to temporary protection in Belgium. They have the opportunity to apply for international protection.
How to apply for asylum?
During the period of temporary protection, an application for asylum can be submitted at any time to be recognized as a refugee. Thus, the asylum procedure is as follows:
- STEP 1: Submit an application for international protection to the Immigration Department (Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken) or border police:
-
Application processing: 3 days after application submission
-
Submission: no later than 30 days after submitting the application
- STEP 2: Interview at the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (Commissariaat-Generaal voor de Vluchtelingen en de Staatlozen):
- Possible solutions:
– Decision on granting refugee status;
– Decision on refusal to grant refugee status and provision of additional protection;
– Decision on refusal to grant refugee status and additional protection status.
- (IF APPLICABLE) STEP 3: Appeal to the Immigration Litigation Board (Raad voor Vreemdelingenbetwistingen) or appeal to the Raad van State
Additional information can be obtained at: https://www.cgrs.be/uk/asylum/standard-procedure . In case of asylum, the following rights and obligations are granted:
- Right of residence for 5 years
- Access to the labor market
- The right to travel abroad , except for the country of origin:
- The trip is a maximum of 3 months
- Mandatory “blue passport” (travel document for refugees)
- Duty to report to the municipality
If I have family members outside of Ukraine, can I apply for family reunification? If so, how?
Temporary protection applies to both citizens of Ukraine and their family members who had their main place of residence in Ukraine until February 24, 2022.
Family members are defined as follows and fall within the scope of protection:
- Spouse or unmarried partner with whom a long-term relationship is maintained, according to Belgian law on foreigners;
- Unmarried minor children, including children of one spouse, whether born in wedlock or out of wedlock or adopted.
- Other close relatives who lived with the family at the time of the mass influx of displaced persons and who were at that time fully or mostly dependent.
Belgium: employment information
Do I need to apply for a permit to be able to work?
Holders of temporary protection status are allowed to work after they have applied for a residence permit at the municipal administration (town hall) and received a temporary document (Appendix 15).
Once you have been granted an A-card (please see our answer below), you do not need an additional work permit in Belgium.
Am I entitled to unemployment benefits? How and where to apply?
You will not be eligible for unemployment benefits with temporary protection status. However, once you get an A-card, you will have access to other social benefits (eg sickness insurance, minimum integration income subject to income conditions, etc.).
Are there graduate and professional equivalency programs? How and where to apply?
Yes, there are different equivalency programs. The applicable procedure and requirements vary depending on the body to which the request for equivalence is submitted: the French Community, the Flemish Community or the German-speaking Community.
More information can be found here:
- For the French community: http://www.equivalences.cfwb.be/
- For the Flemish community:
https://onderwijs.vlaanderen.be/nl/gelijkwaardigheidserkenning-nodig - For the German-speaking community: https://ostbelgienbildung.be/
More information can be found here:
https://www.belgium.be/fr/formation/international/diplomes/equivalence
Which governmental and non-governmental bodies could I turn to for more information about employment?
More detailed information on labor legislation can be found on the website of the Ministry of Employment (” Federal State Service of Employment, Labor and Social Dialogue “).
Information on employment opportunities and vocational training opportunities can be found on the website of regional agencies:
Trade unions can also provide employment information. There are 3 recognized trade union organizations in Belgium:
Belgium: information on housing
Can I access public/government-provided housing?
Usually, access to social housing is granted by the state only to permanent residents of Belgium with a limited income. It is currently unknown whether Ukrainians will be able to get access to state housing. However, once you get your A-card, Belgium will provide you with temporary accommodation.
How and where to apply for state housing?
People who do not have a place to live in Belgium (with friends or family) can apply for accommodation at the registration center (see Immigration information above).
After registration, they are accompanied by Fedasil (Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers) to local crisis shelters organized by municipalities.
Notes :
- Emergency housing is provided for immigrants from Ukraine who cannot register immediately. If necessary, for example, for Ukrainians who are stuck without housing at the end of the day, Fedasil can provide emergency housing for 1 or 2 nights. People who can be registered immediately on the day of their arrival skip the stage of emergency accommodation and are immediately escorted to the local crisis accommodation;
- Wallonia has created a platform designed to establish contact with citizens who wish to offer housing to displaced persons from Ukraine who are looking for housing solutions.
- You can also contact the NGO Plateforme Citoyenne, who will put you in touch with local hosts who have registered to accommodate you temporarily:
Support.ukraine@bxlrefugees.be
If I am staying with friends and family long-term, what documents do I need to fill out to make the stay official, ie how can I confirm the stay?
Immigrants from Ukraine who provide a certificate for temporary protection in the municipality of their main place of residence must be registered there. The municipality issues an A-card valid until March 4, 2023 (this period of validity can be extended twice by six months, unless the Council of the European Union ends the temporary protection).
If I would like to rent a property privately, what documents do I need?
In addition to proof of legal residency, tenants will only need documents supporting information that the landlord may request. Such information depends on the location of the rented accommodation (Brussels, Wallonia, Flanders).
Depending on the region, the landlord may need the following information:
- Brussels : 1° surname and first name of the potential tenant(s); 2° a means of communication with a potential tenant; 3° any document certifying the identity of the tenant and his ability to enter into a contract; 4° number of persons in the household; 5° amount of financial resources available to the tenant or its estimate.
- Wallonia : 1° surname and first name of the future tenant(s); 2° means of communication with the applicant; 3° address of the applicant; 4° date of birth or, if required, confirmation of capacity to enter into a contract; 5° composition of the household; 6° marital status of the tenant, if he is married or legally living together; 7° the amount of financial resources available to the applicant (for example, a receipt for wages, statements from bank accounts, unemployment benefits, etc., but the identification of the person receiving the income cannot, in principle, be required); 8° proof of payment of the last three rent payments.
No other data may be required by the landlord, unless he pursues a legitimate purpose and the request is justified by serious reasons that correspond to the pursued purpose.
- Flanders: The landlord can only request from the prospective tenant the documents that are necessary to prove that the prospective tenant will be able to fulfill his obligations as a tenant.
Please note that the tenant may also be asked to provide a guarantee (ie bank deposit, bank guarantee).
Which governmental and non-governmental bodies could I turn to for more information about housing?
- UNHCR provided a list of organizations that help in various areas
- CIRE, Vluchtelingenwerk, Myria
Belgium: education information
How to enroll your children (or yourself) in school?
In Belgium there is a free choice of educational institutions. Your child must meet the entry criteria (it depends on the schools), but apart from that you can simply contact the school you want to enroll your child in.
Each region launched initiatives to educate children. For example, in Brussels:
– children from 3 to 12 years old, the school located on rue de Cureghem opened 3 classes for Ukrainian children. For more information you can call 00322 509 15 60 from Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 12pm. Other schools also accept children on request, you can contact the school near where you live.
– For children from 12 to 18 years old, secondary schools accept children upon request.
If I have a child with special educational needs, where can I go for help to enroll them in a special school?
Note that even if your child has special educational needs, you have a free choice of school. Like other types of education, special needs education in Brussels is the competence of the French and Flemish Communities.
- The website of the French Community explains the different types of primary and secondary education with special needs , which are primary and secondary education with special needs (FR) . It also publishes a directory of institutions (FR) in the Brussels-Capital Region.
- The website of the Flemish Community dedicates a whole section to special needs primary education (NL) with a directory of schools, and another to special needs secondary education (NL) .
If you want to enroll your child during the school year, you should ask the school if they still have a place available. The municipality and CPAS of your place of residence will provide all the information you need.
Are universities introducing schemes to welcome Ukrainians or people fleeing Ukraine?
Most Belgian universities have introduced FAQs for Ukrainian students. In addition, some universities offer assistance for Ukrainian residents (for example, Université Libre de Bruxelles and Université Catholique de Louvain ).
Which governmental and non-governmental bodies can I turn to for more information about education?
- Municipalities, in particular:
- Brussels Capital Region – Brussels Region Housing Company (SLRB) http:// www.slrb.irisnet.be
- Wallonia – Walloon Housing Society (SWL) http:// www.swl.be
- Flemish Region – Vlaamse Maatschappij voor Sociaal Wonen (VMSW)
- OCMW\CPAS
Belgium: child care information
How to enroll young children in daycare?
To register children in a nursery school, you can contact the selected nursery school. A municipality or government service – such as ” Kind & Gezin ” in Flanders and ” Office de la Naissance et de l’Enfance ” in Brussels and Wallonia – keeps a record of existing day care centers and can provide advice to help find a suitable day care center.
The Flemish, Walloon and Brussels governments provide financial assistance for each child (so-called “Starting sum”, “Maternity payment” or “Birth bonus”).
This can be requested in:
- Flanders: https://www.groeipakket.be
- Wallonia: https://www.aviq.be/
- Brussels: https://www.iriscare.brussels/
Are there benefits/programs for pregnant and lactating women?
Pregnant women have the right to leave in connection with pregnancy and childbirth . During this period, pregnant women are entitled to assistance from the National Employment Office (RVA).
With some health insurance funds, you are entitled to a breastfeeding premium if you are breastfeeding. This is, for example, the case with the Liberal Reciprocity community (although each community has certain benefits that they offer to their members).
What government and non-government agencies can I contact for more information about the specific needs of young children?
On the Dutch side:
- Kind & Gezin is a Flemish institution for young children and families. They offer pregnancy, adoption and childcare counseling and information sessions. All useful information can be found on their website: www.kindengezin.be .
- Community Welfare Centers (CAW) offer free counseling on all life issues, including sex life and pregnancy.
On the French side:
- In French-speaking Belgium, the “Office de la Naissance et de l’Enfance” (ONE) organizes prenatal consultations to provide medical and social guidance during pregnancy. You will find all useful information on the website www.one.be.
- The website of the French Community Commission (COCOF) contains information about family planning centers.
- The Fédération Laïque des Centers de Planning Familial (FLCPF) unites 42 family planning centers, including 22 in Brussels.
Belgium: health information
Can I use the public health care system?
Everyone in Belgium is entitled to social services from the state welfare center CPAS / OCMW.
They provide social services so that everyone can live with dignity. They investigate what help is most appropriate given individual or family circumstances and suggest appropriate means to meet people’s needs.
To receive free medical care under temporary protection, here’s what you need to do:
- register at the registration center of the immigration office. After that, you will receive a temporary certificate of protection.
- register in the hospital fund. You can find the list of hospital funds here.
- if you are enrolled in the hospital fund, you can seek medical help from a therapist, dentist or other medical professional.
For a general practitioner on call:
- in Flanders: call 1733 or visit http://www.mediwacht.be/mdwonline/publiek/wachtdiensten/Zoek.aspx
- In Wallonia: call 1733 or visit https://www.health.belgium.be/fr/sante/organisation-des-soins-de-sante/aide-medicale-urgente/services-de-garde
- in Brussels: call 02 513 02 02 or visit www.sosmedecins.be
For a dentist on call:
- in Flanders: call 0903 39969 or see www.tandarts.be/wachtdienst
- in Wallonia: see : https://www.dentistedegarde.be/
- in Brussels: call 02 426 10 26
For a pharmacist on call:
- in Flanders: call 0903 99 000 or see https://www.apotheekvanwacht.be/
- in Wallonia : call 0903 99 000 or see https://www.pharmaciedegarde.be/apteky-de-garde/
- in Brussels : call 0903 99 000 or see https://www.pharmacie.be
You can always go to the nearest hospital for medical help.
What does public health cover?
The National Institute of Health Insurance INAMI said that displaced persons from Ukraine may have access to medical care, which includes, for example, doctor’s appointments, hospitalization, vaccinations and emergency medical care.
Do I need additional private health insurance on top of public health cover?
It is recommended to sign up for free health insurance to get access to free medical services, hospitalization and medicines. To do this, you can sign up for health insurance through a program called “mutuelle.” There are different providers, see the list here . Partenamut and Mutualité Chrétienne are, for example, two of them. To register for supplementary health insurance, you must have a national registration number (issued by the municipality or Fedasil) and present one of the following 3 documents:
Partenamut has created contact points for the registration of citizens of Ukraine, located in Brussels Bd Anspach 17, 1000. No prior appointment is required, from Monday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Friday from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. For any questions or to make an appointment, call: +32 2 444 41 11 and select option No. 1.
Which governmental and non-governmental bodies can I turn to for more information about access to health care?
If you are in danger or need urgent medical help, call the emergency numbers 101 or 112.
Medimmigrant can help you with your request. See their contact details:
Mediimmigrant
Gosheret Street, 164
1030 Brussels
info@medimmigrant.be
02/274.14.33
0800/14.960
Belgium: mental health information
Can I access mental health support for free under NHS?
There are community mental health centers open to asylum seekers and displaced people, but they usually charge a flat fee. Most supplementary health insurance (mutuelle) will cover some of the mental health services you receive.
Is there any additional administrative process required to access mental health support?
In principle, no, “mutuelle” is quite enough.
What government and non-government organizations can I contact for more information about services for people with mental health problems, especially trauma?
Migrants from Ukraine who need psychological support can contact Solentra’s – an assistant organized by Vluchtelingenwerk on working days from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.:
- If you speak English or Dutch, call 0032 2 225 44 11
- If you speak Ukrainian, call 0032 2 225 44 21
You can make an appointment with one of our counselors for psychological support. The conversation will be in Ukrainian (through a Ukrainian consultant or through a translator).
You will also find help from mental health service providers who are implementing various initiatives to provide psychosocial support to displaced people from Ukraine, including:
- Community Help Desk , a charity offering support and advice, including counselling
- Tele-reception (phone number 106)
- Bad sleep, anxiety and stress ? (integratie-inburgering.be)
- http://www.caritas-int.be/
- In addition, each Fedasil center ( https:// www.fedasil.be/en ) has a reference person for displaced persons with mental health problems and 2 reference persons for cases of gender-based violence.
- In addition, pilot projects on psychosocial support are currently underway in several centers in partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières . In the participating centers, a team consisting of an intercultural mediator and a psychosocial counselor screens all asylum seekers for mental health problems and organizes ongoing psychiatric care.
Belgium: other services
Where can an unaccompanied minor get help?
If you are under 18 and you are here without someone who has parental authority or guardianship over you, you are an unaccompanied minor. Even if you are here together, for example with your uncle or grandmother who do not have guardianship over you (recognized by Belgium), you are an unaccompanied minor.
You will be given a guardian to legally represent you and look after your safety and well-being. You cannot live with your guardian. You can read more about what your guardian does here (brochure in Ukrainian).
Minors unaccompanied by adults from Ukraine who wish to apply for temporary protection must report this to the Registration Center of the Registration Center of the Immigration Office in Brussels , just like adults. The Immigration Department then notifies the Guardianship Department about the unaccompanied minor.
You can also report an unaccompanied minor directly to Guardianship Services. You can make a report using an alert card. You can find it on the Guardianship website at this link . You can send the description by email to the Guardianship Service at the following email address: voogdij@just.fgov.be. You can also contact the Guardianship Service by calling the emergency number 078/15 43 24.
