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Bank card
With a bank card or debit card you can withdraw money from an ATM or make payments with Bancontact.
Health insurance
In Belgium, people are affiliated with a health insurance scheme. This means that the health insurance fund reimburses a large part of your medical expenses and pays you a benefit if you are unable to work due to illness or pregnancy.
Photo requirements (for passport)
The photo on your identity card, foreign national card or passport must meet certain standards. If your photo does not conform, the municipality must refuse it.
- Neutral facial expression: closed mouth, not smiling
- Head straight forward and shoulders straight, looking straight into the camera.
- Face must be completely unobstructed: the forehead, chin and ears must be visible.
- Eyes must be clearly visible: no reflection in the lenses, no tinted lenses, no frame too large or close to the eye line.
Professional secrecy
In certain professions, professional secrecy applies. This means that certain professionals are not allowed to disclose what they have been told in their functions. This applies to doctors, pharmacists and social workers. Sometimes professional secrecy can be broken, for example when someone is in an emergency situation.
Complaint
A resident can lodge a complaint if he is not satisfied with the living conditions or the services offered at the reception centre. If he does not agree with a sanction or with the medical assistance provided, he can appeal and lodge a complaint.
Public transport
Passenger transport that is accessible to everyone. This means that everyone can use the bus, tram, train and metro, for a fee.
Request for payment (requisitorium)
If you are not staying in a reception centre during your asylum procedure, you must apply to Fedasil for a payment obligation (requisitorium) for the payment of medical expenses for your visit to the doctor.
No show
An applicant for international protection who is not staying in a reception centre, but at a private address.
Coronavirus
The coronavirus is a disease which is very similar to the flu. The virus causes respiratory complaints, coughing and fever. Most people recover from the virus. For older people and people with lung, heart or kidney problems, the virus can be dangerous.
Homosexual/Gay
When someone is romantically/sexually attracted to people of their own sex. Both men and women can be homosexual.
The Immigration Office invites you (sometimes several times) to ask you questions.
In the reception centre, asylum seekers can eat, wash and sleep.
The CGRS (CGRA/CGVS) can end your refugee status, for example if you have a new nationality or if you go to live in the country where you feared persecution. If you committed fraud during the investigation, the CGRS may also revoke your status.
Every recognised school in Flanders works together with a Student Guidance Centre (CLB/PMS). Parents and students can go there free of charge with questions about learning, education and health.
You are seriously ill and you cannot be treated in your country of origin. You can apply for medical regularisation to stay in Belgium. Regularisation is an exceptional procedure.
Asylum seekers must respect the rules of the reception centre.
Belgium has a free service that monitors the health of all children under the age of 3. You can also ask questions about your pregnancy, the development of your child, and raising him or her.