CertiDocsThe practical guide
Non-European licence: prove residence in the issuing country
Does your nationality differ from the country that issued the licence? The municipality may need to check where you lived when it was issued. Prepare dates and evidence before translation.
Understand the processTwo different 185-day checks
Link to this sectionResidence in the issuing country and registration in Belgium are separate questions. Where nationality differs from the issuing country, FPS Mobility requires evidence of 185 days of residence there during the year of issue. Your Belgian registration alone does not replace this historical evidence.
Matching nationality or dual nationality
Link to this sectionUnder FPS Mobility’s corrected Flash 129, this foreign-residence evidence is not required when nationality matches the licence. For a second nationality absent from the National Register, the passport or identity card must have been valid when the licence was issued. Have the municipality assess these records.
Who may translate residence evidence?
Link to this sectionFor residence evidence, Flash 129 specifies an official translator, who need not necessarily be a Belgian sworn translator. This concerns those supporting records: do not automatically extend it to the licence itself. An official certificate may also need legalisation; confirm the formalities before requesting a quote.
Check exchange eligibility before translation
Link to this sectionShow the municipality the licence model, validity, categories and your circumstances. The cited Flash notices date from 2022: they explain these evidence rules and are not a new 2026 reform. Request current instructions for your country and status before ordering translations.
Connect your evidence to the licence date #
The evidence rules distinguish the holder’s nationality from the issuing country. Have the applicable check identified before translating residence certificates.
Preparation advice from CertiDocs #
Fictional example: you obtained your licence in a country whose nationality you did not hold. Your current certificate only lists your new address. Ask the issuer for a record covering the relevant period, then have the municipality check its relevance before translation.
- Include the licence’s reverse and renewal dates.
- Distinguish the requirements for the licence and its supporting records.
Prepare the next step
Documents to prepare
- Full licence, front and back
- Nationality or dual nationality at issue
- Dated evidence of residence in the issuing country
Steps to follow
Have the evidence selected
Ask the municipality which records are relevant to your nationality and issue year.
Request the translation you need
Send CertiDocs the complete records, requested language, destination country and instructions received.
Good to know
Guides
On the same topic
Other steps to prepare. Residence, visas and reunification.
Exchange a foreign driving licence in Belgium
Have licence exchange and the municipality’s required records checked.
Original or certified copy for a translation in Belgium
Check which version of the document to provide for translation.
Foreign document: apostille or translation in Belgium
Distinguish formalities for a foreign document from those for its translation.
For your application
Related documents
Common translations
Budget
Prepare your translation request
Choose the document type in the form to see your fixed price.
One fixed price per complete document, regardless of page count. Confirm the price before submitting. See all prices
Frequently asked questions
+−Is a translated licence always exchangeable?
+−Does my current passport prove my second nationality at the time?
Official source
Official sources used
The references below are the public sources used to document this page. The competent authority always retains the final decision.
CertiDocs analysis: CertiDocs explains the process and helps connect users with a professional. CertiDocs is not a public service and is not affiliated with any authority.