In Belgium

Domiciliation is an administrative obligation: every person residing in Belgium must be registered in the population register of their municipality of residence. The tenant must present themselves at the municipal office within 8 days of moving in.

Domiciliation is closely linked to the primary residence lease: using the dwelling as a primary residence (and being domiciled there) triggers the application of the protective rules of the 9-year lease.

A tenant who does not domicile at the rented property (e.g. a student who remains domiciled at their parents’ home) may not benefit from the primary residence lease protections.

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Warning
The landlord can never prohibit the tenant from domiciling at the rented property. A lease clause prohibiting domiciliation is null. The tenant has the right to be domiciled where they actually live.

Practical example

Ahmed rents an apartment in Schaerbeek. He goes to the municipal office on 5 March to declare his domiciliation. A neighbourhood officer visits to verify the occupation within the following weeks. Ahmed is registered and receives his updated identity card.