From eligibility criteria to the necessary documents and processing times, in this comprehensive guide, we aim to address the most frequently asked questions about applying for a travel passport in Belgium.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Where should you apply for a travel passport?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Applying for a travel passport must always be done at the Passport service of your city or municipality. Most offices require you to make an appointment for the application.
The person applying for a travel passport must always be present for the application as well as to collect the passport. Children under 18 must also be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. In the latter case, the parent or legal guardian can collect the child’s passport without needing a proxy.
Belgians living abroad should apply for their passport at the Belgian embassy or consulate competent for the location where they are residing, or at the Belgian municipality they were born or last registered.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"What should you bring?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"After you’ve made your application appointment, you should make sure you can bring the following items:
Your identity card (eID)
Your previous passport if you already have one or evidence of theft from the police
1 recent passport photo that meets the strict criteria. If any of these are not met, your photo will be rejected. Some offices also have a photo booth available on site to take your passport picture.
After verifying your identity and the quality of your photo, your municipality will also record the digital fingerprints of 2 fingers (from age 12) and your signature (from age 6).
The person applying for a travel passport must always be present for the application as well as to collect the passport. Children under 18 must also be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. In the latter case, the parent or legal guardian can collect the child’s passport without needing a proxy.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"How much does it cost?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"The cost of your travel passports depends on a number of factors:
The age of the applicant (minor or adult)
The number of pages (frequent travellers can opt for a passport with 66 pages instead of the regular 34)
The application procedure (normal, urgent, or super-urgent)
Any municipal taxes
A regular travel passport for adults usually costs between 65 and 90 euros. For an urgent procedure, prices start at 250 euros.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"How long does it take?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Make sure to always apply for your passport on time. Allow a minimum of 5 working days for delivery when applying through the regular procedure. Also keep in mind that during peak travel season, processing applications can take longer than usual.
In case of emergency or if you do apply too late, there are two emergency application procedures available at an additional cost:
Urgent procedure: If the municipality forwards the application before 3pm, the passport can be delivered to the municipality the first working day after the application.
Super-urgent procedure: If the municipality forwards the application before 3pm, the passport can be delivered the same day at the Home Affairs office, Warandeberg 1-4, 1000 Brussels. Note that you’re only eligible for the super-urgent procedure if your passport hasn’t been lost or stolen more than once in the past 5 years.
In most cases, you will receive a text message notifying you that your passport is available for pickup. You must always collect your travel pass in person with your identity card at your local Passport service. If you are unable to do so, you need to give someone else a proxy to pick up your passport. As mentioned above, parents or legal guardians do not need a proxy to collect the travel passports of their children.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"How long is it valid?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"For adults, a Belgian travel passport is valid for 7 years. A children’s passport is valid for 5 years. Still, many countries demand that your passport is still valid for a certain amount of time (usually 6 or 9 months) at the time of your visit. Therefore, it’s advised to check the specific requirements of your destination ahead of time.
A travel pass cannot be extended. If your travel passport expires, you need to apply for a new one if you want to travel outside the EU.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"What if your travel passport gets lost or stolen?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Always block your travel passport as soon as possible by calling DOCSTOP. If your passport was stolen, you should also report it to the police. Apply for a new travel pass if necessary.
"}}]},"complementaryZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Also consider"},{"componentType":"cards","cards":[{"componentType":"articleCard","cardType":"article","cardSize":"medium","title":"Holiday loan","body":"Make the most of your next holiday by financing it with an ING Holiday Loan. Find out all the details and practical information in this article.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/17389c7f-6e9d-4813-bd0d-da3d7674772c/plan-your-travel","type":"image","width":799,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/76c179b47be768d6/original/plan-your-travel.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"date":"2023-11-03"},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Compare our travel assistance formulas","intro":"Find support tailored to your needs.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/8300aeaf-af8e-47f9-8d0a-e6d684e4f193/SIDE-VIEW-OF-YOUNG-WOMAN-ON-ROAD","type":"image","width":5616,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/266d6bafcbd13f05/original/SIDE-VIEW-OF-YOUNG-WOMAN-ON-ROAD.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/individuals/insurance/compare-travel-assistance-plans"}},{"componentType":"articleCard","cardType":"article","cardSize":"medium","title":"What are the allowed dimensions for hand luggage on an airplane?","body":"To what extent do they differ per airline? And what other restrictions are in place?","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/4bfb5b93-561c-404f-bb0b-f6bf17967278/A-person-with-their-feet-up-on-a-suitcase-at-the-airport","type":"image","width":4096,"altTextNL":"Iemand met zijn voeten omhoog op een koffer op het vliegveld","altTextFR":"Une personne avec les pieds sur une valise à l'aéroport","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/13a81d8b91279273/original/A-person-with-their-feet-up-on-a-suitcase-at-the-airport.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"date":"2024-01-04","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/insurance/hand-luggage-dimensions"}},{"componentType":"articleCard","cardType":"article","cardSize":"medium","title":"What liquids can I carry in my hand luggage?","body":"What limitations are in place and what are the exemptions?","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/cb0eea6b-9529-40fb-b7bd-c608c267cc72/Airport-view-through-raindrops-on-glass-window-of-rainy-season","type":"image","width":5528,"altTextEN":"\"\"","altTextNL":"\"\"","altTextFR":"\"\"","altTextDE":"\"\"","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/181648f3b2d2b3b1/original/Airport-view-through-raindrops-on-glass-window-of-rainy-season.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"date":"2024-01-16","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/insurance/liquids-hand-luggage"}},{"componentType":"articleCard","cardType":"article","cardSize":"medium","title":"Repatriation while on holiday: what to know","body":"A good repatriation insurance allows for a smooth and safe return in case of emergency. Find out everything you need to know about repatriation on holiday.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/83ae0d16-f72a-4cb2-9bc3-7541ad5b9ff9/Low-angle-shot-of-an-airplane-s-nose-against-a-cloudy-blue-sky","type":"image","width":6720,"altTextEN":"Low angle shot of an airplane's nose against a cloudy blue sky","altTextNL":"Low angle-opname van de neus van een vliegtuig tegen een blauwe wolkenlucht","altTextFR":"Prise de vue en contre-plongée du nez d'un avion dans un ciel bleu nuageux.","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/24130724c71f62bd/original/Low-angle-shot-of-an-airplane-s-nose-against-a-cloudy-blue-sky.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"date":"2024-03-05","link":{"url":"/en/individuals/insurance/repatriation-from-holiday"}}]}]}}}