Did you purchase a vehicle abroad or are you moving to Belgium with a car registered outside the country? Registering your vehicle with the DIV and transferring your car insurance often require the translation of foreign documents for Belgian authorities.
The DIV (Vehicle Registration Directorate) and Its Requirements
The DIV (Direction pour l'Immatriculation des Véhicules), now integrated into the FPS Mobility's General Directorate for Mobility and Road Transport, is the Belgian authority responsible for vehicle registration. To register a foreign vehicle, you will need to provide certain documents that may require translation.
Which Documents May Require Translation?
| Document | When translation is required | Type of translation |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign vehicle registration certificate | Language other than FR/NL/DE/EN | Professional translation sufficient |
| Certificate of Conformity (CoC) | Language other than FR/NL/DE/EN | Professional translation sufficient |
| Foreign insurance certificate (Green Card) | Language other than FR/NL/DE/EN | Professional translation sufficient |
| Foreign purchase invoice | Proof of value for Belgian customs | Professional translation sufficient |
| Probate judgment including a vehicle | Inherited vehicle transfer | Sworn translation recommended |
Good to know
For vehicles from EU countries where the registration certificate is in English, French, Dutch or German, translation is generally not required. The Belgian DIV accepts these languages directly. Translation of the registration certificate is necessary for vehicles from third countries such as Turkey, Morocco, Arabic-speaking countries, China, and the United States.
Foreign Car Insurance: Recognition and Transfer in Belgium
Third-party liability insurance (RC auto) is mandatory in Belgium for every vehicle registered or regularly driven on Belgian territory. If you hold car insurance from a foreign country, several situations may arise.
Foreign Vehicle Temporarily Registered in Belgium
If your vehicle remains registered abroad, the international Green Card (or international insurance certificate) is sufficient to drive legally in Belgium for a limited period. This document is recognised in all countries that signed the Geneva Convention. If your Green Card is not in French, Dutch, English or German, law enforcement may request a translation.
Transferring to a Belgian Insurance Policy
If you are settling permanently in Belgium, you will need to register your vehicle with the DIV and take out RC auto insurance with a Belgian insurer. Belgian insurers often ask for your no-claims bonus statement (bonus-malus attestation) from your previous foreign insurer in order to offer you the correct premium. If this document is in a foreign language, it will need to be translated.
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Vehicles Purchased Outside the EU: Customs Formalities
If you purchased a vehicle outside the EU (USA, Japan, United Arab Emirates, etc.) and wish to import it into Belgium, customs formalities are added on top of the registration process:
- Payment of import duties and Belgian VAT
- Technical inspection for compliance with European standards
- Obtaining a European Certificate of Conformity (CoC) or individual type approval
- Translation of the purchase invoice and manufacturer documents if necessary
Belgian Customs and the General Directorate for Mobility have documentary requirements that sometimes include translations for documents in non-European languages.
Foreign No-Claims Bonus Statement
The no-claims bonus statement (bonus-malus attestation) is a key document for your Belgian insurer. It proves your driving history and enables the insurer to offer you the correct bonus-malus coefficient. If this document is in Turkish, Arabic, Polish or any other language, your Belgian insurer may ask for a translation to analyse it. A professional (non-sworn) translation is generally sufficient for this purpose.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is my UK registration certificate (post-Brexit) accepted without translation in Belgium?
Yes, British registration certificates in English are generally accepted by the Belgian DIV and Belgian insurers without formal translation, as English is an international working language understood by Belgian services. However, if you are settling permanently in Belgium, you must register your vehicle with the DIV within the legal time limit (generally 30 days of establishing your residence in Belgium).
Is a sworn translation required to register a foreign car with the DIV?
As a general rule, no. The DIV accepts a professional (non-sworn) translation for the documents required for registration. A sworn translation is only required when the document is used in an official legal or administrative proceeding (for example, a dispute over vehicle ownership). Always check the specific requirements with the DIV for your particular situation.
Can I drive in Belgium with a valid foreign insurance policy?
Yes, provided your foreign insurance covers Belgium (which the Green Card guarantees for signatory countries) and your vehicle is legally registered in its country of origin. For short stays (tourism, temporary work), your foreign insurance is valid. For permanent residents in Belgium, Belgian third-party liability insurance is mandatory as soon as the vehicle is primarily used on Belgian territory.
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