What Do I Need to Sort Out When Moving in Belgium - Complete Checklist

The Short Answer

When you move in Belgium, there is A LOT to arrange:

At the Municipality (MANDATORY):

• ✅ Register change of address
• ✅ New ID card / passport
• ✅ Electoral register
• ✅ Register with a doctor

Utilities (MANDATORY):

• ✅ Cancel or transfer internet/TV
• ✅ Phone
• ✅ Electricity/Gas
• ✅ Water
• ✅ Update insurance policies

Tax Authority (MANDATORY):

• ✅ Notify the tax authority
• ✅ Update cadastral income (new address)
• ✅ Address change declaration

Bank / Financial:

• ✅ Bank address change
• ✅ Notify financial institutions
• ✅ Update subscriptions

This guide gives you a full checklist and step-by-step instructions so you do not miss a thing.

1. Municipality - Change of Address (MANDATORY!)

This Is the Most Critical Step!

Step 1: Go to Your Municipality

Documents Needed:

• Identity card or passport
• Rental contract or proof of ownership (new home)
• Previous address-change certificate (sometimes)

Timing: As soon as possible (ideally before the move, no later than 15 days after)

Step 2: Fill in the Form

The municipal desk fills in the form:

• Previous address
• New address
• Date of move
• Reason for moving (voluntary / compelled)

Step 3: Registration in the System

• The municipality registers the address change
• You receive a certificate of address change
• This Certificate Is IMPORTANT - Keep It!

You Will Use This Certificate For:

• ✅ Bank
• ✅ Tax authority
• ✅ Insurance companies
• ✅ Employer
• ✅ Schools
• ✅ Everything!

Step 4: Wait for Your New ID Card

• The municipality sends an invitation
• You Go to the Municipality for Your Photo
• You Receive Your New ID Card / Passport

Timing: 2-4 Weeks

2. Cancelling / Changing Services - Essential!

This Needs to Be Sorted BEFORE the Move!

Internet & TV (Very Important!)

3-4 Weeks Before the Move:

Step 1: Contact Your Provider

• Call or email (Proximus, Vodafone, etc.)
• "I Am Moving On [Date]"

Step 2: Check Availability at the New Address

• Is Internet Available at the New Place?
• Which Providers Cover That Area?
• Speed / Price?

Step 3: Cancel or Transfer

• Cancel Current Contract (1-Month Notice Period)
• OR: Transfer to New Address
• Take Out a New Contract (New Provider?)

Costs: €0-€50 Transfer Fee / New Contract €30-€80/Month

Phone

3-4 Weeks Before the Move:

• Contact Provider (Mobile / Landline)
• Transfer to New Address
• New Numbers? (Optional)
• Cancel if No Longer Needed

Costs: Variable

Electricity & Gas

3-4 Weeks Before the Move:

Step 1: Notify Your Current Provider

• "I Am Moving On [Date]"
• Read the Meter (Take a Photo)
• Set a Closing Date

Step 2: Find a New Provider

• Compare Online (e.g. via the regulator's comparator for your region)
• Any Good Deals?
• Sign a Contract for the New Home

Step 3: Register at the New Home

• New Provider Registers the Property
• Connection Is Activated
• Read the Meter When Registering

Costs: €0-€200 Transition Fee / Subscription €80-€150/Month

Water

2-3 Weeks Before the Move:

• Contact Local Water Company
• Notify Them of the Move
• Read the Meter (Closing)
• Register at New Meter

Costs: €0 / Subscription €20-€50/Month

Waste Collection

2-3 Weeks Before the Move:

• Contact the Municipality
• "I Am Moving"
• New Collection Calendar
• Address Update
• Sometimes: New Waste Bins

Costs: €0-€50 per Year

3. Tax Authority - Change of Address

This Is MANDATORY!

Step 1: Notify Change of Address

Online (Simple):

• Log In to the Tax Website (MyMinfin)
• Notify Change of Address
• Done!

By Post:

• Write a Letter with Your New Address
• Send It to the Tax Office
• Or: Visit the Office in Person

Timing: As Soon as Possible

Step 2: Update of Property Taxes

• Property Tax (précompte immobilier) Will Be Adjusted
• Cadastral Income May Change (Different Area)
• Property Tax Updates

This Happens Automatically

Step 3: Notify Your Employer

• Employer Must Receive the Change of Address
• Show Them the Address-Change Certificate
• Withholding Tax Declaration Will Be Updated

4. Bank & Financial - Change of Address

This Is IMPORTANT - Your Statements Are Sent There!

Step 1: Contact Your Bank

Online:

• Log In to the Banking App
• Update Your Address Yourself
• Done!

By Phone:

• Call the Bank
• "I Am Moving"
• Give the New Address

In Person:

• Go to the Branch
• Show the Address-Change Certificate
• Address Updated

Step 2: Verification

• Bank Sends a Confirmation Letter
• Check That the Address Is Correct
• Confirm by Letter

Timing: 1-2 Weeks

Step 3: Other Financial Institutions

• Savings Accounts
• Investment Funds
• Credit Cards
• Loans

Make Sure All of These Are Updated!

5. Insurance - Very Important!

Many Policies Are Tied to Your Address!

Home Insurance

This Is ESSENTIAL!

Step 1: Inform Your Current Insurer

• Say: "I Am Moving"
• Give the New Address
• Insurer Updates the Policy

Step 2: Check the Coverage Amount

• Has the Value of the Home Changed? (Bigger / Smaller?)
• Has the Contents Changed?
• Update the Insured Amount

Step 3: Compare Premiums

• New Location = Different Premium (Sometimes Cheaper!)
• Request a Quote for the New Place
• Switch? (3-Month Notice Period)

Costs: €300-€600 per Year (Depending on the Home)

Third-Party Liability Insurance

This Covers Damage You Cause to Others:

• Send Address Change to Insurer
• Cover Remains Valid
• Premium May Change

Car Insurance

A Change of Address Can Affect Your Premium:

• New Location = Different Risk (City vs. Countryside)
• Insurer Updates
• Premium May Go Up or Down

Health / Supplementary Insurance

• Contact the Insurer
• Notify Change of Address
• Cover Remains the Same

6. Schools & Children - If Applicable

If You Have Children!

Step 1: Inform the Current School

• Say: "My Child Is Moving"
• Give the Departure Date
• School Can Prepare the Transfer

Step 2: Find a New School

• New Municipality / New Region?
• Which Schools Are Nearby?
• Enrol for the New School Year?
• Check School Hours / Curriculum?

Step 3: Transfer of School Documents

• Current School Provides the File
• New School Receives the File
• Child Can Join the New School

Step 4: Childcare / After-School Care

• Find New Childcare (Nursery / After-School Club)
• Register
• Check Costs

7. Doctor & Health - Do Not Forget!

General Practitioner

Step 1: Let Your GP Know

• "I Am Moving"
• Address-Change Certificate

Step 2: Transfer of Medical File

• Your GP Sends the File to Your New GP
• Or: You Collect It Yourself

Step 3: Choose a New GP

• Which GP Is Nearby?
• Accepting New Patients?
• Registration Required

Dentist & Other Specialists

• Notify Them of the Move
• Arrange Transfer of Files
• Find a New Dentist (Optional)

8. Employer - Notification

If You Are Employed!

Step 1: Inform Your Employer

• Notify Change of Address
• Give the New Address
• Show the Certificate

This Is Required for Withholding Tax / Social Security!

Step 2: Update Your Personnel File

• Employer Updates Your File
• New Address Is Recorded
• Pay Slips Sent to New Address

9. Practical Checklist - Everything at a Glance

Print This Out and Tick It Off!

8 Weeks Before the Move:

• ☐ New Home Booked
• ☐ Moving Supplies Purchased
• ☐ Friends / Family Informed

4 Weeks Before the Move:

• ☐ Internet / TV Provider Contacted
• ☐ Phone Provider Contacted
• ☐ Electricity / Gas Provider Contacted
• ☐ Water Company Contacted
• ☐ Waste Collection Contacted
• ☐ Address Registration at Municipality Prepared

2 Weeks Before the Move:

• ☐ New School Found (Children)
• ☐ New GP Found
• ☐ Employer Notified
• ☐ Bank Contacted
• ☐ Insurance Companies Contacted
• ☐ New Services Application Submitted

Moving Day:

• ☐ Meters Read (Electricity / Gas / Water)
• ☐ Photos of Meters Taken
• ☐ Old Home Cleaned
• ☐ Keys Returned
• ☐ Address Change Done at Municipality

1 Week After the Move:

• ☐ Address-Change Certificate Received
• ☐ Address Change Confirmed by Bank
• ☐ Address Change Confirmed by Tax Authority
• ☐ First Bills Received (Check Them)
• ☐ Insurance Updated (Confirmation)

1 Month After the Move:

• ☐ New ID Card / Passport Requested (If Needed)
• ☐ All Services Activated (Check)
• ☐ Address Changes Fully Complete
• ☐ No Mail at Old Address (Check with Family)

10. Practical Tips - How to Make It Easier

Tip 1: Create a Moving Checklist

• Print the Checklist Above
• Add Your Own Items
• Tick Off as You Go

This Stops You From Forgetting Things!

Tip 2: Digitalise Your Address Changes

• Make Eight Copies of the Address-Change Certificate
• Notify All Parties at the Same Time
• More Efficient

Tip 3: Set Reminders on Your Phone

• 4 Weeks Before: "Cancel Services"
• 2 Weeks Before: "Bank / Insurance"
• 1 Week After: "Check Everything"

You Will Not Forget a Thing!

Tip 4: Ask Family / Friends for Help

• Moving Is a Lot of Work
• Friends Can Help with the Heavy Lifting
• Family Can Help with the Admin

Tip 5: Arrange Mail Forwarding

At the Old Address:

• Ask Family / Friends to Forward Post
• Or: Request Forwarding Through bpost
• Lasts 3-6 Months

This Saves You If You Have Forgotten Something!

11. Cost Overview - How Much Does Moving Cost?

It Can Add Up!

Budget: €3,000-€4,000 Is Realistic for an Average Move!

12. Summary: What Do You Need to Sort Out When Moving?

Key Points:

1. MANDATORY at the Municipality:

• ✅ Register Change of Address
• ✅ New ID Card / Passport
• ✅ Keep the Address-Change Certificate (ESSENTIAL!)

1. MANDATORY for Services:

• ✅ Update Internet / TV
• ✅ Phone
• ✅ Electricity / Gas
• ✅ Water
• ✅ Waste Collection

1. MANDATORY with the Tax Authority:

• ✅ Notify Change of Address
• ✅ Inform Your Employer

1. VERY IMPORTANT:

• ✅ Bank Address Change
• ✅ Update Insurance Policies
• ✅ GP / School (Children)

1. Timing Is Crucial:

• 4 Weeks Before: Cancel Services
• 2 Weeks Before: Bank / Insurance
• Moving Day: Read the Meters
• 1 Week After: Check Everything

1. Essential Document:

• Address-Change Certificate (Municipality)
• Use It EVERYWHERE
• Make 8+ Copies!

1. Costs:

• €1,500-€6,300 on Average
• Budget €3,000-€4,000

Golden Rule: Stay Organised, Make a Checklist, Start 4 Weeks Before Moving Day!

Next Step

Are You Moving Soon?

1. Print the Checklist
2. Start Preparing 4 Weeks Ahead
3. Contact the Relevant Services
4. Handle Your Address Change at the Municipality
5. Check Everything After the Move!

Good Luck with Your Move!