Upon Arrival

Upon arrival it is important you complete a few steps so you can start your studies and stay in Hasselt without any worries.

Follow the steps below to ensure a smooth start of your stay.

Upon arrival in Belgium, it is important that you make an appointment for your final registration.

This registration is required in order to get your student/staff/visitor card. This card allows you to make use of the Hasselt University facilities and infrastructure such as the library, bike rent and university restaurants.  

Do you have questions related to your application? Please contact the Student administration office: stua@uhasselt.be

Registration at town hall

Guests arriving from outside the Schengen Area who are staying in Belgium for less than 3 months (short stay) are now required to register with the local city or municipal authorities.

Please complete the following steps as soon as possible before your arrival:

You will need the following documents:

• A colour copy (or a clear, complete photo) of your entire passport, including:
• the front and back covers
• all personal information pages
• all blank pages.
• Please combine all passport images into one Microsoft Word document.
• Your address of residence in Belgium.

Email these documents to:

• If staying in Diepenbeek: burgerzaken@diepenbeek.be
• If staying in Hasselt: andere.nationaliteiten@hasselt.be

After receiving your documents, the municipality will request an Arrival Declaration (AKV) from the authorities in Brussels. Please note that processing times may vary and can currently take some time.

Once the AKV has been issued and received by the municipality, you will be notified and invited to schedule an appointment to collect the document.

Please note: The Arrival Declaration (AKV) is also required to open a Belgian bank account with banks such as KBC.

If you choose to open a bank account in Belgium you will need the following documents:

 • a valid passport or identity card, proof of enrollment at Hasselt University;

 • a copy of your rental contract;

 • registration at the town hall.

You can also look into online banks such as revolut: www.revolut.com.

 A current account provides you with a cash card for 24-hour cash dispensers.

CASH

To withdraw cash you have to go to cashpoints. www.bancontact.cash/en/how-use-cash-point

ADDRESSES:

• BNP Paribas Fortis, Ridder Portmansstraat 1, Hasselt

• KBC, Gouverneur Verwilghensingel 102, Hasselt (especially for non-EU (PhD)students)

• Belfius, Havermarkt 36, Hasselt • Crelan, Stadsomvaart 1, Hasselt 

• ING, Welvaartstraat 1, Hasselt

• ING, Marktplein 11, 3590 Diepenbeek

• BNP Paribas Fortis, Marktplein 18, Diepenbeek

• KBC, Kapelstraat 36, Diepenbeek

• Belfius, Dorpsstraat 24, Diepenbeek

• Crelan, Varkensmarkt 10 B11, Diepenbeek

Individual health insurance is compulsory in Belgium.

If you are from an EEA country, you are covered by your national health service through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card covers medical expenses incurred while abroad and is valid for a maximum of one year.

When you visit a doctor or specialist, you will receive a ‘certificate of services provided’. In some cases, the pharmacist will give you a document for reimbursement purposes (certificate model 704). Bring these certificates, along with your EHIC, to the health insurance fund office.

We also strongly recommend taking out travel insurance.

If you are from a non-EEA country, you are required to take out insurance.

We recommend the all-inclusive AON insurance.

If you are staying for more than three months, you are also obliged to join a health insurance fund. We suggest ‘CM’ (Christelijke Mutualiteit), "Helan" or ‘Solidaris’. 

• CM: Didier Verding Kerklaan 6 bus1, Diepenbeek Vismarkt 11, Hasselt Prins-Bisschopssingel 75, Hasselt 
• Helan: Martelarenlaan 3/2, 3500 Hasselt, 

PAY ATTENTION!

The extra AON student insurance might be smart to cover civil liability as well, in case you intentionally or even mistakenly injure someone or damage someone’s property since some medical and hospital costs are not or only partly covered in the mandatory health insurance. Having this extra insurance or not, can have a significant financial impact. If medical or hospital costs arise, they are not, or only partially, covered by the mandatory health insurance. Many students are unaware of this and it can have significant financial consequences.