BelgiumResidence
Belgium Retirement (Annuitant) Visa
Long-stay visa D for retirees and people of independent means (annuitant, Article 9)
In short
Belgium has no dedicated retirement visa programme, but retirees and others living on their own income can request a long-stay D visa under Article 9 of the Aliens Act, which the Immigration Office grants at its discretion. Applicants show sufficient income, health coverage and their ties to Belgium.
Apply on Visa on Web (Belgian online visa application) checked 25 October 2026
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Residence for the period granted, renewable if conditions remain met
- Validity
- D visa followed by a residence card from the municipality
- Fee
- €242Immigration Office contribution fee for Article 9 D visas, which explicitly include annuitants (2026). A D visa handling fee is paid on top when you apply. Beneficiaries of the EEC–Turkey Association Agreement are exempt from the contribution fee, and Turkish nationals applying for limited residence under Article 9 are also exempt from the consular visa fee.
- Processing time
- Belgian missions indicate about three months, because the Immigration Office must approve the file.
- Work
- No work is foreseen; any work would require the appropriate authorisation.
- Path to permanent residence
- After five years of legal and uninterrupted residence you can apply for EU long-term resident status if you meet its conditions.
- Where to apply
- Belgian post responsible for your place of residence (or its service provider), after the Visa on Web form.
A discretionary route
Article 9 allows the Immigration Office to authorise stays of more than 90 days for purposes not covered by a specific category. The Immigration Office's fee list names annuitants among these purposes. No minimum income is fixed in published rules; the authorities assess whether your resources are sufficient and stable and whether you will not become a burden on Belgian public funds.
What Belgian missions ask for
The checklist published by Belgian missions for retirement applications asks for the D form, a passport with sufficient validity, photos, the visa fee and the contribution fee, a cover letter explaining why you want to live in Belgium and your ties to the country, a recent criminal record, the official medical certificate, proof of income and funds (pensions, at least six months of bank statements, rental income), and reference letters from Belgian citizens or residents.
Required documents
Identity
- Visa on Web D application form, printed and signed
- Criminal record extract not older than six months, apostilled or legalised depending on the issuing country, with sworn translation
Travel
- Passport valid well beyond the intended stay (missions ask for at least 15 months) with two blank pages
Money
- Proof of payment of the Immigration Office contribution fee, unless exempt
- Proof of pension and other income, and at least six months of bank statements
Insurance
- Health insurance valid in Belgium
Other
- Cover letter on your reasons and ties with Belgium (visits, relatives, property, assets)
- Medical certificate on the official Belgian form, issued within six months by a doctor accredited by the Belgian mission (otherwise with legalised signature), in Dutch, French or English
Supporting documents (where they apply)
Other
- Reference letters from Belgian citizens or residents
Application route
Fill in the D visa form on Visa on Web and lodge it at the Belgian mission responsible for your country of residence or its service provider. The mission forwards the file to the Immigration Office, which decides; you can follow such files on the Immigration Office's visa tracking page using the application number.
- Gather proof of stable income and assets and write a letter explaining your ties to Belgium.
- Obtain the official medical certificate from an accredited doctor and an apostilled criminal record.
- Pay the EUR 242 contribution fee unless exempt.
- Fill in the D visa form on Visa on Web and book an appointment with the competent Belgian mission or its external service provider in your country of residence.
- Follow the Immigration Office decision, then register with the municipality within eight days of arrival.
After arrival
Register with the municipality within eight days. The residence card is renewed as long as you still meet the conditions, including sufficient means and health insurance.
Refusal and appeal
Article 9 decisions are discretionary. A refusal can be challenged before the Council for Alien Law Litigation, generally within 30 days, or you may reapply with stronger evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum pension for a Belgian retirement visa?
No official minimum amount is published for this discretionary route; the Immigration Office assesses whether your income is sufficient and stable.
Can I buy property in Belgium to get residence?
Owning property does not create a right of residence; it can only be shown as one of your ties to Belgium. Belgium has no golden visa.
How long does a decision take?
Belgian missions indicate about three months for retirement files, since the Immigration Office must approve them.
Official sources
- Immigration Office – Contribution fee (amounts from 1 January 2026)
- Immigration Office – Visa fees (C and D)
- Embassy of Belgium in the United States – National visa (D visa) categories
- Embassy of Belgium in the United States – D visa checklist: retirement (annuitant)
- Embassy of Belgium in Türkiye – Visa for Belgium
- Immigration Office – Acquisition of long-term resident status in Belgium
- Immigration Office – Appeal to the Council for Alien Law Litigation
- Ambassade de Belgique au Maroc – Demandes de visa
Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.
Other visa types for Belgium
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the Schengen area
- Family and friends visit visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the Schengen area
- Transit visa Maximum stay: Transit only: the days needed to cross the Schengen area to the next destination
- Medical treatment visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the Schengen area
- Culture, sports and events visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the Schengen area
Business and self-employment
- Business visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period across the Schengen area
- Self-employed and freelancer visa Maximum stay: Linked to the professional card and residence right
Study and training
- Student visa Maximum stay: Residence for the length of studies, renewed yearly
- Researcher visa Maximum stay: For the duration of the research project
- Internship and trainee visa Maximum stay: Up to six months, renewable once, in the Flemish "trainee in or after training" category
- Au pair visa Maximum stay: One year at most, including a single possible renewal
Work
- Work visa Maximum stay: Tied to the employment contract; Flanders can grant up to three years at once for highly skilled workers
- EU Blue Card Maximum stay: For the contract period; after 24 months of Blue Card employment a three-year card is issued
- Intra-company transfer visa Maximum stay: For the duration of the transfer authorised by the region
- Seasonal work visa Maximum stay: 150 days within any 365-day period
- Job seeker visa Maximum stay: Up to 12 months
Family
- Family reunification visa Maximum stay: Residence linked to the sponsor's right of stay
- Spouse and partner visa Maximum stay: Residence linked to the sponsor
Residence
- Permanent residence Maximum stay: Unlimited residence
Protection
- Asylum and international protection Maximum stay: Right to stay during the procedure; recognised refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection receive residence permits