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Temporary protection until 4 March 2028. The commune issues a card A (limited stay), now valid until 4 Mar 2027; from 4 Jan 2027 ask your commune to renew it: the new card runs to 4 Mar 2028 (annex 15 in the meantime). Fee approx. €25–30.

Passport or ID card; proof that you lived in Ukraine on or before 24 Feb 2022 (e.g. address registration); for family members, marriage/birth certificates (preferably apostilled). New applicants aged 18–59: exit stamp or Reserve+ document on military obligations. If you had protection in another EU country: official proof that it ended.

In person at the Immigration Office registration centre, Rue Belliard 68, Brussels, weekdays from 8:30, no appointment (if the day's capacity is full, you are asked to come back). Then register at the commune where you live (address check). For financial help: the CPAS/OCMW of your commune.

If you clearly qualify, the protection certificate is issued the same day; otherwise you get proof of registration and may be invited to an interview. At the commune: annex 15 (valid 45 days) straight away, card A about 10 days after the address check (City of Brussels).

Ends 4 Mar 2028, or earlier by EU decision; lost if you get protection in another EU country, if you are struck off the register (unreported move, long absence) or for serious crimes. Trips to Ukraine are allowed within the normal absence rules. An asylum application is put on hold while protection lasts.

Bus, train (via Poland and Germany), car. No flights from Ukraine — Ukrainian airspace is closed to civil aviation. Men aged 23–60 generally cannot leave Ukraine.

EU rules: microchip, rabies vaccination, then a rabies antibody test at least 30 days later and a 3-month wait from the blood sample; EU health certificate from an official vet ≤10 days before arrival. In Belgium dogs must be registered in DogID, cats in CatID.

Dutch (Flanders), French (Wallonia), both in Brussels, German in the east; English is common in Brussels. Free or cheap courses: integration programme in Flanders and Brussels (a right, not an obligation for protection holders), Bapa BXL and BON in Brussels, regional integration centres (CRI) in Wallonia.

Yes, with card A or annex 15 (marked 'unrestricted labour market'); self-employment is allowed. In Flanders, protection holders of working age without a job must register with VDAB. Job services: VDAB (Flanders), Forem (Wallonia), Actiris (Brussels).

Nurses, truck drivers, accountants, site managers and construction estimators, industrial electromechanics and maintenance managers, CNC machine setters, horticulture workers, construction, farm and lifting machinery technicians (VDAB, Flanders, 2026).

Yes: join a health insurance fund (mutualité/ziekenfonds) or the public fund CAAMI-HZIV as a 'resident' with your certificate or annex 15; cover is backdated to the start of that quarter. Before that, urgent medical aid via the CPAS/OCMW. Low incomes can get higher reimbursement (BIM).

Yes: nursery school (école maternelle / kleuterschool) is free from age 2.5; education is compulsory from age 5. Crèches for children under 3 are paid, by income.

Yes. School is compulsory from 5 to 18 (from the 60th day after registration); newcomer classes: OKAN (Dutch) and DASPA (French). Studying only at a Ukrainian online school counts as home education and must be declared.

No housing allowance. Fedasil offers emergency shelter for 1–2 nights; in Flanders the only reception site from Apr 2026 to Mar 2027 is the emergency village in Ghent. The CPAS/OCMW can pay the rent deposit and help with the first rent; social housing is possible, without priority.

No general lump sum. The CPAS/OCMW can grant a one-off settling-in premium when you move from a shelter or homelessness into your own home.

Only without sufficient income: the CPAS/OCMW pays the equivalent of the integration income, max €911.56/month if cohabiting, €1,367.34 single, €1,847.89 with a dependent family (from 1 Sep 2026), minus your income. More than 4 weeks abroad can suspend it.

Family allowance from registration in the foreigners' register: Flanders (Groeipakket) €190.66/month per child born since 2019; Wallonia €200.51 (age 0–17, born since 2020); Brussels €194.04 (0–11) / €206.98 (12–17). Supplements for low incomes.

approx. 1-bedroom flat in the city centre: Brussels €1,240/month (≈€1,030 outside the centre), Ghent €1,050, Antwerp €940, Liège €760 (Numbeo, Nov 2026); deposit up to 2 months' rent.

approx. €250–350/month per adult for groceries (estimate from Numbeo supermarket prices, Nov 2026); discounters such as Aldi, Lidl and Colruyt are cheaper.

Subsidised crèches charge by income: in Wallonia and French-speaking Brussels (ONE) at most €46.84/day (2026), far less on low incomes; Flanders also has an income-based tariff. Private crèches approx. €750–1,450/month (Numbeo, Nov 2026).

Public schools are free (small charges for meals, trips and materials). International schools in Brussels approx. €18,700–47,500/year (Numbeo, Nov 2026).

Statutory insurance via a mutualité or CAAMI-HZIV; the contribution for 'residents' depends on income (—). Mutualités add a small fee for supplementary cover; patient co-payments are capped by the maximum bill (MAF). Private hospital insurance: —

Since 4 Aug 2026 new applicants aged 18–59 (men and women) must prove they met Ukrainian military obligations (exit stamp or Reserve+); not needed for renewals. The Immigration Office is strict: bring proof that you lived in Ukraine before 24 Feb 2022 — Caritas reported over 40% refusals (Feb 2026). Renew card A at your commune from 4 Jan 2027. Belgium has no follow-up permit after protection, and these years do not count towards long-term residence. Planned: CPAS aid would start at ≈70% and rise with integration efforts (bill pending). Free helpline in Ukrainian: Caritas 0800 2 41 41. Immigration Office: temporary protection