Route 1: Step-by-Step Guide for EU (European Union & EEA) Students

Step 1

Book your accommodation (Before leaving your home country)

- What you do: Search for a “Kot” (student room) through your university’s housing office or on official platforms like [Brukot.be](https://www.brukot.be/) (Brussels), [Kotatgent.be](https://www.kotatgent.be/) (Ghent) or [HousingAnywhere](https://housinganywhere.com/).
- Payment: Sign the digital contract and pay the deposit + first month by international bank card (Revolut, Wise or your home bank) or SEPA transfer. You don’t need a Belgian account now.
- Safety: Check out the [Student Rental Scam Guide](https://www.hubstudentseurope.com/international-student-anti-fraud-rental-safe-guards) to avoid scams.

Step 2

Key Collection and Inventory (Day 1 in Belgium)

- What you do: Meet the owner at the address of the Kot booked in Step 1.

- Required: Make an inventory (État des lieux / Plaatsbeschrijving). Take clear photos of any defects in the room before signing the receipt, so you can get your deposit back at the end.

Step 3

SIM Card and Transport Subscription (Days 1–3)

- Phone: Buy a prepaid SIM card (Proximus, Orange or Base) for a local phone number.
- Transport: Go to a [STIB/MIVB](https://www.stib-mivb.be/) (Brussels), [De Lijn](https://www.delijn.be/) (Flanders) or [TEC](https://www.letec.be/) (Wallonia) counter with your student ID for the reduced youth pass (approx. €12/year in Brussels).

Step 4

Registration at the Town Hall (Deadline: 8 days)

- Procedure: Make an appointment online at the local town hall (Commune / Gemeente) to which your address belongs, under the "EU student registration" section. Present your ID card, your acceptance letter from the university and your rental agreement.
- Police Check: Within 2-3 weeks, a neighborhood police officer will come to your door to verify that you physically live there. After the check, you will receive your Belgian national number and temporary residence document (Annex 19 / E-Card).

Step 5

Opening a Belgian bank account (Days 5–10)

- How to do it: Now that you have your rental agreement and proof from the town hall, go to a local bank (KBC/CBC, BNP Paribas Fortis or Belfius).

- Why: The student account is free. You need it to pay local expenses, utilities or to receive your salary from a student job.

Step 6

Registering for Health Insurance - Mutuelle (Days 7–14)

- What it is: Even if you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from home, registering with a local insurance company (Mutuelle / Ziekenfonds) such as Partenamut or Mutualité Chrétienne is mandatory in the long term.
- Cost: It costs around €10-15 per month and reimburses up to 75% of the cost of doctor's appointments and prescriptions.

Step 7

First day of classes (Before school starts)

- Physical card: Go to the university secretariat and pick up your physical student card for access to the campus and canteens (Mensa).

- Internet: Log in to the Eduroam internet network on campus with the data received from the faculty.

Route 2: Step-by-Step Guide for Non-EU (International) Students

Step 1

Book your accommodation (Before leaving your home country)

- What you do: Look for a "Kot" (student room) through your university's housing office or on official platforms like Brukot.be or HousingAnywhere. Classic agencies do not rent to you without a visa and local accounts, so only use student channels.
- Payment: Sign the digital contract (where parents often sign as financial guarantors) and pay the deposit by international transfer (SWIFT/Wise) or card.
Security: Check the platform using the Student Rental Scam Guide.

Step 2

Key Collection and Inventory (Day 1 in Belgium)

- What you do: Go directly to the secure Kot address in Step 1 to collect the keys from the owner or manager.
- Required: Inspect the room very carefully, take detailed photos of any small defects and sign the receipt report (État des lieux).

Step 3

SIM Card and Transport Subscription (Days 1–3)

- Phone: Buy a local prepaid SIM card (Proximus, Orange) to have a Belgian phone number, which is required for opening a bank account.
- Transport: Go to the nearest point of sale of the local transport network (STIB/MIVB in Brussels, De Lijn in Flanders, TEC in Wallonia) with your acceptance letter from your university to get the massive student discount.