Renewing Your Residence Permit in Belgium: Which Translations Are Required?

Renewing your residence permit in Belgium means submitting an up-to-date file to your municipality or the Immigration Office. When your supporting documents are foreign, a sworn translation is nearly always required. This guide sets out the documents concerned according to your residence ground and how to avoid a refusal.

📖 Also read: residence permit · immigration · sworn translation

Which documents depending on the residence ground

The documents requested depend on the basis of your stay. For a work residence, the single permit or work authorisation, the contract and recent payslips are expected. For studies, the enrolment certificate, proof of payment of the fees and sufficient resources. For family reunification, the civil-status records (marriage, birth) and the sponsor's income. For international protection, the CGRS certificate and any available identity documents. See our residence permit guide.

Foreign documents to have translated

Any document drawn up in a language other than French or Dutch must be accompanied by a sworn translation into the language of your municipality. Frequently concerned are:

• Recent civil-status records: birth, marriage, divorce, household composition.
• Employment contract and payslips: to prove the activity and income.
• Proof of resources: bank statements, employment certificates, pension.
• Various certificates: criminal record, medical certificate, school enrolment.

Depending on the issuing country, these documents must also bear an apostille or a legalisationbefore translation. Our immigration guidelists the most frequently requested documents.

Recent documents and consistency of names

The authorities generally require civil-status records less than six months old. Also check that the spelling of your surname and first name is identical across all documents and their translations: a discrepancy between the passport, the birth certificate and the contract can stall the file. The sworn translator faithfully reproduces the spellings, but flag any variants in advance.

Anticipating the deadline before expiry

The renewal application is in principle submitted between 45 and 30 days before your permit expires. Allow time to obtain documents abroad, the apostille, and then the sworn translation. A short document is ready within a few working days, but do not start everything at the last minute: place your order as soon as you know the list of documents.

Avoiding a refusal or delay

To limit the risks: present recent documents, translate into the right language (French or Dutch depending on the municipality), attach the original or a clear scan when requested, and keep the order apostille then translation. If you are unsure about the expected level of certification, confirm with your municipality before ordering.