Istanbul at night: Galata Tower and the lights along the water
Guide Turkey → Belgium · moving · checked 1 Nov 2026

Moving from Turkey to Belgium

A plain checklist: the visa routes, what to sort before you go, and your first weeks in Belgium.

Photo: Pexels
First: can you move?

You need a permit to live in Belgium

Turkey is not in the EU, so living and working in Belgium needs a permit; for work usually the single permit (work and residence together) and a long-stay D visa. Within 8 days of arriving you report to your commune (gemeente). Short visits need a Schengen visa.

Job
WorkThe single permit, applied for by the employer, and a D visa.
Uni
StudyA student visa to study in Belgium.
Fam
FamilyJoining a spouse or family in Belgium.

Which route fits you: the Immigration Office (DOFI), Belgium's official immigration site. We don't give visa advice.

Before you go

Your checklist in Turkey

  1. Your permit and D visa approved and a valid passport.
  2. Documents in one folder: birth and marriage certificates, diplomas; apostilles and sworn translations.
  3. Money for the start: a deposit (on a blocked account in your name: at most 2 months' rent in Brussels and Wallonia, 3 in Flanders), the first rent and a few weeks of living costs.
  4. Dutch or French, depending on the region: it helps a lot every day and with officials.
  5. Set up your home TV before you go, so it works on day one (how to watch Turkish TV in Belgium).
A cosy living room in the evening with a TV and warm shelf lights
Day one in Belgium

Home TV, ready when you land

The first weeks abroad are the hardest. The news from home, your series and the kids' cartoons in Turkish make the new flat feel like home faster.

How to watch Turkish TV in Belgium →
Advertisement: Turkish channels live with VOLTIX →
Photo: Pexels
Your first weeks

Your checklist in Belgium

  1. Commune registration: within 8 days of arriving; after an address check you get your residence card.
  2. Health insurance: join a health insurance fund (mutualité / ziekenfonds).
  3. National register number: it is on your residence card; you need it for tax and work.
  4. Bank account: with your passport and address.
  5. TV fee: Belgium has none.
  6. Driving: ask your commune how long your Turkish licence is valid and the exchange rules.
Quick answers

Questions people ask

Do I need a permit to work in Belgium?

Yes. Turkish citizens usually need the single permit (work and residence together) and a D visa.

Do I need a visa to visit Belgium?

Yes. Turkish citizens need a Schengen visa for short visits.

What do I do after arriving?

Report to your commune (gemeente) within 8 days.

How big is a rent deposit in Belgium?

At most 2 months' rent in Brussels and Wallonia and 3 months in Flanders, kept on a blocked bank account in your name.

Can I watch Turkish TV in Belgium?

Yes. Our Turkish TV in Belgium guide shows every option.

More for Turkish people in Belgium

Guides for you

Turkish TV in BelgiumThe Turkish channels live, and how the official options compare.The Turkish community in BelgiumHow many, where people live, mosques, Turkish lessons and where people meet online.Moving to BelgiumThe visa routes, before you go and your first weeks.
Sources