Belgium strengthens the conditions for renewing student residence permits
Belgium has adopted new rules governing the renewal of residence permits for third-country national students. The amendments introduce stricter requirements concerning study progress, maximum study duration, changes of study programme and enrolment in non-recognised higher education institutions. They were adopted by Royal Decree of 7 May 2026, published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 21 May 2026, and apply from the 2026/2027 academic year.
The Royal Decree of 7 May 2026 amends Article 104 of the Royal Decree of 8 October 1981 implementing the Belgian Aliens Act. It specifies the academic progress that third-country national students must demonstrate in order to obtain the renewal of their residence permit. Students enrolled in graduate or bachelor's programmes must have successfully completed at least 60 ECTS credits after two academic years of study and, thereafter, at least 40 additional ECTS credits for each subsequent academic year. The decree also sets maximum study periods for bachelor's, master's, advanced master's, postgraduate certificate programmes and doctoral studies, taking into account the duration and size of the programme.
The amendments also seek to prevent repeated changes of study programme from being used to prolong residence. A renewal of the residence permit may be refused where, during the first three years of residence, a student wishes to enrol in a third programme after having unsuccessfully discontinued two previous programmes. Students transferring from a programme leading to a higher education qualification to one at a lower academic level are also subject to stricter assessment criteria. In addition, the Immigration Office may request supporting documents from both the student and the educational institution to verify compliance with the residence conditions.
The decree also introduces additional requirements for third-country nationals intending to study at higher education institutions that are not recognised by the competent authorities. Applicants must provide proof of definitive enrolment, payment of the full tuition fee, adequate language proficiency, a credible explanation of their academic and professional background and sufficient financial resources for the entire academic year through a bank guarantee.
Further details (in French and Dutch) are available in the Royal Decree of 7 May 2026, published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 21 May 2026. Additional information on the new rules (in Dutch) is available on the website of the Minister for Asylum and Migration.
