---
title: "Belgium Student visa requirements 2026: €1,062+/mo needed"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/student-visa/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Belgium · Student

# Belgium Student visa

**Income needed:** €1,062+ a month ≈ $1,190

Student D visa (higher education)

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Income needed:** €1,062+ a month ≈ $1,190 (Income of at least EUR 1,062 a month (≈ $1,190) · Minimum net monthly means for the 2026-2027 academic year; the amount is set by Royal Decree and indexed every year. Savings of at least EUR 12,744 (≈ $14,200) · Twelve times the monthly amount (12 x EUR 1,062), when the means are shown by a deposit in a blocked account opened by the school or by a blocked-account company the Immigration Office accepts. A scholarship or loan certificate, or a guarantor's formal obligation (annex 32), are other ways to show the means. A fee of EUR 251 (≈ $280) · Administrative fee for higher-education students at institutions organised, recognised or subsidised by the public authorities; EUR 242 for private institutions. A fee of EUR 250 (≈ $280) · Visa handling fee for a long-stay (D) visa, applicable from 1 July 2026.)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals.)
- **Work:** Limited (Students with a valid residence may work up to 20 hours a week without a work permit, if compatible with their studies; the limit does not apply during school holidays (Flanders).)

## Key facts

Student visa is a student route for Belgium. Applicants need income of €1,062+ a month ≈ $1,190. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.

- **Money needed:** €1,062+ a month ≈ $1,190
- **Government fees:** €251 ≈ $280 · €250 ≈ $280
- **Processing:** Up to 90 days

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: 2 government fees listed below; income to show €1,062+/mo ≈ $1,190; decision: up to 90 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: €251 ≈ $280 · €250 ≈ $280**

- EUR 251 (≈ $280) Administrative fee for higher-education students at institutions organised, recognised or subsidised by the public authorities; EUR 242 (≈ $270) for private institutions.
- EUR 250 (≈ $280) Visa handling fee for a long-stay (D) visa, applicable from 1 July 2026.

**Shown, not spent: €1,062+/mo ≈ $1,190 · €13k+ ≈ $14k**

- EUR 1,062 a month (≈ $1,190) Minimum net monthly means for the 2026-2027 academic year; the amount is set by Royal Decree and indexed every year.
- EUR 12,744 (≈ $14,200) Twelve times the monthly amount (12 x EUR 1,062 (≈ $1,190)), when the means are shown by a deposit in a blocked account opened by the school or by a blocked-account company the Immigration Office accepts. A scholarship or loan certificate, or a guarantor's formal obligation (annex 32), are other ways to show the means.

**Renewal: Renewable**

The A card is renewed each year for continuing studies.

[FPS Foreign Affairs](https://taipei.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-belgium/visa-belgium/long-stays-over-90-days/student)

**Permanent residence: General rule: 5 years of residence**

Study time counts at half toward the 5 years, and you cannot apply for long-term resident status while studying.

[Moniteur belge](https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&table_name=loi&cn=1980121530)

**Citizenship: After 5 years of residence**

Belgian nationality by declaration needs 5 years of legal main residence, proof of a national language, social integration and economic participation.

[Belgian Official Gazette](https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&table_name=loi&cn=1984062835)

**Processing: Up to 90 days**

The authorities decide within 90 days of the date the embassy or consulate issued the receipt for a complete application.

[Immigration Office](https://dofi.ibz.be/en/themes/third-country-nationals/study/initial-authorisation-stay-application-visa-d-authorisation)

**Where to apply: From abroad**

Apply for the D visa at the Belgian embassy or consulate with proof of enrolment or admission.

[Immigration Office](https://dofi.ibz.be/en/themes/third-country-nationals/study/initial-authorisation-stay-application-visa-d-authorisation)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Applications are made from outside Belgium, not after arriving
- Needs a place at a school or university in Belgium
- Work rights are limited
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The applicant is a non-EU citizen going to study full-time in higher education or a preparatory year.
- The applicant has a degree giving access to higher education, equivalent to the Belgian secondary certificate for undergraduate study.

#### What you must show

- The student shows means of at least EUR 1,062 (≈ $1,190) net a month for the 2026-2027 academic year.
- A deposit of 12 times the monthly amount (EUR 12,744 (≈ $14,200)) in a blocked account is one way to show the means.
- Means can be shown by a scholarship or loan certificate or a guarantor's formal obligation (annex 32).
- The administrative fee is EUR 251 (≈ $280) for public-authority institutions and EUR 242 (≈ $270) for private ones.
- The visa handling fee is EUR 250 (≈ $280) for long-stay applications from 1 July 2026.

#### Documents

- A certificate of registration or admission.
- Proof of access to higher education.
- Health insurance valid in Belgium.
- An authenticated criminal record.
- A medical certificate.
- A passport copy and, for applicants under 18, parental consent are included.

#### Steps

1. The applicant applies in person at the Belgian embassy, where fingerprints and an interview on the study plan are taken.
2. The Immigration Office decides within 90 days of the receipt for a complete file.

#### After you arrive

- The holder reports to the municipality within 8 days of arrival and receives an A card marked student.
- The A card is renewed each year on proof of enrolment, study progress, means and insurance, no later than 15 days before it expires.

## When you become tax resident

How Belgium decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Tax residence:** Domicile means the place where a person effectively and permanently resides; for married persons or legal cohabitants it is the place where the household is established.
- **Foreign-source income:** Belgian tax residents declare income received worldwide, including foreign-source income, taxed in progressive brackets of 25%, 40%, 45% and 50% (income year 2026: 25% up to EUR 16,720, (≈ $18,700) 50% above EUR 51,070 (≈ $57,100)).

[All tax rules for Belgium](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026

## What you need to arrange

- **Health insurance** Health insurance valid in Belgium
- **Police certificate and civil documents** An authenticated criminal record
- **Money to show** This route asks for savings of €13k+ ≈ $14k.

Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.

**Full official text**

D visa for full-time studies at a Belgian higher-education institution organised, recognised or subsidised by the state, or a preparatory year. PhD students use the student route; post-docs and guest professors use the single permit. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

#### What you must show and pay

- Income of at least EUR 1,062 a month (≈ $1,190) · Minimum net monthly means for the 2026-2027 academic year; the amount is set by Royal Decree and indexed every year. (source 4)
- Savings of at least EUR 12,744 (≈ $14,200) · Twelve times the monthly amount (12 x EUR 1,062 (≈ $1,190)), when the means are shown by a deposit in a blocked account opened by the school or by a blocked-account company the Immigration Office accepts. A scholarship or loan certificate, or a guarantor's formal obligation (annex 32), are other ways to show the means. (source 4)
- A fee of EUR 251 (≈ $280) · Administrative fee for higher-education students at institutions organised, recognised or subsidised by the public authorities; EUR 242 (≈ $270) for private institutions. (source 5)
- A fee of EUR 250 (≈ $280) · Visa handling fee for a long-stay (D) visa, applicable from 1 July 2026. (source 6)

#### Requirements

- The applicant is a non-EU citizen going to study full-time in higher education or a preparatory year. (source 3)
- The applicant has a degree giving access to higher education, equivalent to the Belgian secondary certificate for undergraduate study. (source 3)
- The student shows means of at least EUR 1,062 (≈ $1,190) net a month for the 2026-2027 academic year. (source 4)
- A deposit of 12 times the monthly amount (EUR 12,744 (≈ $14,200)) in a blocked account is one way to show the means. (source 4)
- Means can be shown by a scholarship or loan certificate or a guarantor's formal obligation (annex 32). (source 4)
- The administrative fee is EUR 251 (≈ $280) for public-authority institutions and EUR 242 (≈ $270) for private ones. (source 5)
- The visa handling fee is EUR 250 (≈ $280) for long-stay applications from 1 July 2026. (source 6)
- A certificate of registration or admission. (source 1)
- Proof of access to higher education. (source 1)
- Health insurance valid in Belgium. (source 1)
- An authenticated criminal record. (source 1)
- A medical certificate. (source 1)
- A passport copy and, for applicants under 18, parental consent are included. (source 3)
- The applicant applies in person at the Belgian embassy, where fingerprints and an interview on the study plan are taken. (source 3)
- The Immigration Office decides within 90 days of the receipt for a complete file. (source 3)
- The holder reports to the municipality within 8 days of arrival and receives an A card marked student. (source 3)
- The A card is renewed each year on proof of enrolment, study progress, means and insurance, no later than 15 days before it expires. (source 3)

#### Stay

- Authorised stay of at least one year on a certificate of enrolment; four months if only admission or entrance-exam proof, or no health insurance, is shown. The A card is renewed for continuing studies.
- First stay: up to 12 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
- Provisional stay on proof of admission or entrance exam up to 4 months: Enrolment certificate or health insurance proof must follow at least 15 days before expiry.

#### Nationality

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

#### Work

Students with a valid residence may work up to 20 hours a week without a work permit, if compatible with their studies; the limit does not apply during school holidays (Flanders).

Checked 2026-10-12

## Official sources

1. [Student long-stay visa](https://taipei.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-belgium/visa-belgium/long-stays-over-90-days/student) · FPS Foreign Affairs (Belgian Office Taipei) · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Employing a foreigner in Flanders: categories](https://www.vlaanderen.be/en/working-enterprise-and-investment/working/employing-a-foreigner-in-flanders/categories) · Government of Flanders · checked 2026-10-10
3. [Study: initial authorisation to stay (visa D)](https://dofi.ibz.be/en/themes/third-country-nationals/study/initial-authorisation-stay-application-visa-d-authorisation) · Immigration Office (DOFI) · checked 2026-10-12
4. [Study: sufficient means of subsistence (2026-2027 academic year)](https://dofi.ibz.be/en/themes/ressortissants-dun-pays-tiers/etudes/favoris/sufficient-means-subsistence) · Immigration Office (DOFI) · checked 2026-10-12
5. [Administrative fee for long-stay (D) visa applications, amounts from 1 January 2026](https://japan.diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/2026-01/Administrative%20fee.pdf) · Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
6. [Visa fees: handling fee for long-stay visas from 1 July 2026](https://unitedarabemirates.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-belgium/visa-belgium/visa-fees) · Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
7. [Law of 15 December 1980 on access, residence, settlement and removal of foreigners, Articles 10, 10bis and 40ter](https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&table_name=loi&cn=1980121530) · Moniteur belge (Justel) · checked 2026-10-11
8. [Code of Belgian nationality (Art. 12bis: acquisition by declaration after 5 years of legal residence)](https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&table_name=loi&cn=1984062835) · Belgian Official Gazette (Moniteur belge / Federal Public Service Justice) · checked 2026-10-11

## Student visa and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Student visa | Needs income of €1,062+ a month ≈ $1,190 | – | Limited |
| [Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/student-higher-ed-91/) Portugal | Needs income of €920+ a month ≈ $1,030 | 3 yr, renewable | Yes |
| [Internship permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/internship-residence/) Spain | – | 1 yr, renewable | – |
| [D3 study visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/d3-study-research/) Georgia | – | 1 yr, renewable | No |
| [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/study-visa/) Italy | Needs savings of €10k+ a year ≈ $11k | – | Yes |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Student visa?

Income of at least EUR 1,062 a month (≈ $1,190). Minimum net monthly means for the 2026-2027 academic year; the amount is set by Royal Decree and indexed every year. Savings of at least EUR 12,744 (≈ $14,200). Twelve times the monthly amount (12 x EUR 1,062 (≈ $1,190)), when the means are shown by a deposit in a blocked account opened by the school or by a blocked-account company the Immigration Office accepts. A fee of EUR 251 (≈ $280). Administrative fee for higher-education students at institutions organised, recognised or subsidised by the public authorities; EUR 242 (≈ $270) for private institutions. A fee of EUR 250 (≈ $280). Visa handling fee for a long-stay (D) visa, applicable from 1 July 2026.

### How long can I stay on the Student visa?

Authorised stay of at least one year on a certificate of enrolment; four months if only admission or entrance-exam proof, or no health insurance, is shown.

### How long does the Student visa take to process?

The authorities decide within 90 days of the date the embassy or consulate issued the receipt for a complete application.

### Can I work on the Student visa?

Limited. Students with a valid residence may work up to 20 hours a week without a work permit, if compatible with their studies; the limit does not apply during school holidays (Flanders).

### Who can apply for the Student visa?

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

### Does the Student visa lead to permanent residence in Belgium?

The general rule for permanent residence in Belgium is 5 years of residence. Time on the Student visa counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence.

### How are Student visa holders taxed in Belgium?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Student visa. The standard rules apply: Belgian tax residents declare income received worldwide, including foreign-source income, taxed in progressive brackets of 25%, 40%, 45% and 50% (income year 2026: 25% up to EUR 16,720, (≈ $18,700) 50% above EUR 51,070 (≈ $57,100)). Non-residents are taxed only on Belgian-source income.

## More in Belgium

[Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/working-holiday/) [Innovation & Startup permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/innovation-startup-permit/) [Self-employed professional card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/professional-card/) [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/eu-blue-card/) [Researcher permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/researcher-hosting-agreement/) [Highly qualified work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/single-permit-employment/) [Intra-company transfer permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/ict-single-permit/)

## Study visas elsewhere

[🇩🇪 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/student-16b/) [🇫🇷 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/student-residence/) [🇬🇧 Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/student-visa/) [🇳🇱 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/student-residence/) [🇦🇱 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/student/) [🇲🇪 Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/montenegro/student/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-12 against 8 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Student long-stay visa](https://taipei.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-belgium/visa-belgium/long-stays-over-90-days/student) · FPS Foreign Affairs (Belgian Office Taipei) · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Employing a foreigner in Flanders: categories](https://www.vlaanderen.be/en/working-enterprise-and-investment/working/employing-a-foreigner-in-flanders/categories) · Government of Flanders · checked 2026-10-10
3. [Study: initial authorisation to stay (visa D)](https://dofi.ibz.be/en/themes/third-country-nationals/study/initial-authorisation-stay-application-visa-d-authorisation) · Immigration Office (DOFI) · checked 2026-10-12
4. [Study: sufficient means of subsistence (2026-2027 academic year)](https://dofi.ibz.be/en/themes/ressortissants-dun-pays-tiers/etudes/favoris/sufficient-means-subsistence) · Immigration Office (DOFI) · checked 2026-10-12
5. [Administrative fee for long-stay (D) visa applications, amounts from 1 January 2026](https://japan.diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/2026-01/Administrative%20fee.pdf) · Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
6. [Visa fees: handling fee for long-stay visas from 1 July 2026](https://unitedarabemirates.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-belgium/visa-belgium/visa-fees) · Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
7. [Law of 15 December 1980 on access, residence, settlement and removal of foreigners, Articles 10, 10bis and 40ter](https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&table_name=loi&cn=1980121530) · Moniteur belge (Justel) · checked 2026-10-11
8. [Code of Belgian nationality (Art. 12bis: acquisition by declaration after 5 years of legal residence)](https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&table_name=loi&cn=1984062835) · Belgian Official Gazette (Moniteur belge / Federal Public Service Justice) · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.