Do I always have to carry my identity card or residence card?
In short
Yes. From the age of 15, every Belgian must carry their identity card. Foreign nationals must also carry their residence card and show it when the police ask for it.
Video transcript
You pop out to the shop and leave your card at home. On the way, the police ask for ID. Required: From age 15, carrying your identity card is compulsory. Foreigners must carry their residence card and show it when the police ask. The right way: Always carry your card. If it's lost or stolen, report it straight away to the municipality or the police. Consequences: Card not on you: Official report; Also: A fine; Loss not reported: Risk of identity theft.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- From the age of 15, Belgian citizens must always carry their identity card.
- Foreign nationals must carry their residence card and show it when the police ask for it; you can ask your municipality about your own situation.
- Before your card expires, the municipality sends you a letter inviting you to renew it. If no letter has arrived 3 weeks before the expiry date, contact the municipality yourself.
- If your card is lost or stolen, report it to the municipality or the police right away.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- Not carrying your card, having an expired card or refusing to show it leads to an official report. For Belgian citizens, the law sets a fine of 26–500 €; since 1 September 2026, a higher amount applies under the new Criminal Code.
Legal basis:Omzendbrief 5.6.2008 – eID verplicht bij zich
- Court / prison
- No prison sentence
Legal basis:Wet 19.7.1991 bevolkingsregisters, art. 7 + Strafwetboek, art. 78 §1 9°
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- Refusing to show it gets you into further trouble with the police
Legal basis:Wet op het politieambt 5.8.1992, art. 34 §4
- Not reporting a lost card can lead to identity theft
Why does this rule exist?
Identity checks are about public safety and also protect you: after an accident, if you go missing or in a medical emergency, you can be identified straight away.
Where can you go?
- Municipal population officeChange of address, identity card and residence card
- Neighbourhood police officerAddress check (wijkagent / agent de quartier)
- Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.
This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses
Source and reliability
Official source- Source check
- 7 / 7 statements in an official source
- Checked: 12.10.2026
- Last checked
- 12.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 7 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
15 yaşından itibaren kimlik kartını taşımak zorunlu
Vlaanderen.be – eID; IBZ omzendbrief (KB 25.03.2003 art. 1) - Found in an official source
Yabancılar oturum kartını taşımalı ve polise göstermeli
KB 8.10.1981, art. 38 - Corrected according to the source
Belediye süre dolmadan davet mektubu gönderir; 3 hafta kala gelmediyse kendiniz başvurun
Vlaanderen.be – eID - Found in an official source
Kayıp/çalıntı kartı hemen bildirin
Vlaanderen.be – eID - Found in an official source
Kartı taşımamak/göstermemek cezai yaptırım (tutanak)
Omzendbrief 5.6.2008 – eID verplicht bij zich - Found in an official source
Kart kuralları ihlali yalnız para cezası (seviye 1)
Wet 19.7.1991 bevolkingsregisters, art. 7 + Strafwetboek, art. 78 §1 9° - Found in an official source
Kimliğini kanıtlamayan kişi doğrulama için en çok 12 saat tutulabilir
Wet op het politieambt 5.8.1992, art. 34 §4
The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.
General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?