New secure registration certificate model released at the end of September

The Minister for Asylum and Migration, A. Van Bossuyt, signed a ministerial decree on August 21, 2026, setting the date for the circulation of the new secure model of the registration certificate. The text, referenced C-2026/006453, was published in the Belgian Official Gazette on September 7, 2026 (2nd edition, p. 49112) and provides for the entry into force of the new system on September 28, 2026.

This decree is part of a broader reform of foreign nationals’ law. It implements the Royal Decree of June 24, 2026, which replaces the registration certificate model and repeals the Royal Decree of March 19, 2010, regarding the issuance of residence documents to foreign nationals, as well as the Royal Decree of April 2, 1984, regarding the issuance of residence permits.

A Central Issuance Register

The new model is accompanied by the creation of a central register for the issuance of registration certificates, established by the Law of July 19, 2026, amending the Law of July 19, 1991, regarding population registers, identity cards, foreign national cards, and residence documents. This central register will enter into force on September 28, 2026, simultaneously with the new model.

The ministerial decree notes that the technical developments necessary for the issuance of the new model have been completed and that there is therefore no longer any reason to delay its circulation.

Procedure and Scope

The request for an opinion addressed to the Council of State within a thirty-day period was entered on August 11, 2026, into the roll of the legislation section under number 79.967/2/V. On August 12, 2026, the legislation section decided not to provide an opinion within the requested timeframe, in application of Article 84, § 5, of the coordinated laws on the Council of State.

The system provides for:

• Article 1: the Royal Decree of June 24, 2026, enters into force on September 28, 2026;
• Article 2: this ministerial decree enters into force on the day of its signature, namely August 21, 2026.

Impact for Foreign Nationals and Municipalities

The reform directly concerns foreign nationals holding a registration certificate, whose document will be issued according to the new secure model, as well as municipalities, which are responsible for providing residence documents and reimbursing the State for the costs incurred. The centralization of issuance in a single register aims to secure and harmonize the management of these certificates across the entire territory.

As of September 28, 2026, registration certificates will therefore be issued according to the new secure model, backed by the central register, marking an important step in the modernization of residence documents in Belgium.

Official source: Belgian Official Gazette of September 7, 2026, 2nd edition, p. 49112 — Ministerial Decree of August 21, 2026 determining the date of circulation of the new secure model of the registration certificate, reference C-2026/006453.