{"id":5402,"date":"2025-09-17T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-17T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/?p=5402"},"modified":"2025-07-30T13:35:35","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T13:35:35","slug":"bank-account-in-belgium-everything-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.immigration-residency.eu\/blog\/bank-account-in-belgium-everything-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Bank account in Belgium – Everything you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Though banks are permitted to turn down customers for any reason, they cannot discriminate against them under the law. Banks have the authority under AML regulations to verify customers\u2019 identities and request more information when necessary. The usual identification requirements are to share a person\u2019s name, surname, date of birth and address, as well as a proper identification document. A person can provide a national passport, an identity card with a photo or a foreigner registration certificate such as an electronic residence card (A, B, C, D, E, E+, F or F+). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If an identity document is not included in the residence document, other valid documents from Belgian officials may be used. Some examples are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The commune\u2019s registration certificate is given as a temporary residence authorisation (like the orange card of Annexe 4). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An asylum application made at the Foreigners\u2019 Office and recorded using Annexe 26 or 26 quinquies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Annexes 25 and 25 quinquies include proof of a request for asylum, used at the border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The applicant will get an Annexe 15 certificate for provisional residency (until the residency document is issued).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special documents for the residency permit (Annexe 35 if you appeal to the Council for Alien Law Litigation).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If an account is not opened by the bank, the applicant can request an explanation in writing. If the client does not get a reply, they can approach the bank\u2019s central customer service for help. If nothing changes after repeated questioning, the individual is allowed to file a complaint with the Ombudsfin service or report the case to Unia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting up a simple bank account<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If a standard bank account is not available, a person may ask to open a basic account with no possibility of overdrafts, unreliable payments or cheque facilities. You will need to ask your bank about this beforehand, and if you qualify, the account will be opened in ten days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which individuals are allowed to open simple bank accounts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Economic Law Code of Belgium states that any EU resident legally staying in the EU is entitled to a basic bank account. This includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n