Why this trips people up
It's one of the first practical questions on almost every Zoom or WhatsApp call: "should I open a Belgian bank account before I arrive?" The honest answer is that most Belgian banks want a registered Belgian address and, in many cases, your National Register Number, which you only receive after registering at your commune — so a same-week account is rarely realistic (Commissioner Brussels). That leaves a genuine gap between landing and being fully banked, and it's worth planning for rather than being caught out by.
What Belgian banks generally ask for
Requirements vary slightly bank to bank, but most applications converge on the same core documents:
- Proof of identity — your passport, and for some non-EU applicants, evidence of your visa or permit category.
- Proof of Belgian address — a rental contract, a utility bill, or a document from your commune.
- Proof of residency status — your registration with the commune and residence permit, or, while that's pending, the temporary "annex 15" document your commune issues.
- Proof of income or employment — a work contract or payslips if you're employed, invoices if you're a freelancer, or other proof of funds if you're not working.
Requirements and documentation checklists vary between banks, so it's worth confirming the exact list with your chosen bank before you apply, especially if you're trying to start the process from the UK (Expatica, Brussels Times).
The National Register Number question
Most standard Belgian current accounts do ask for a National Register Number, which is only issued once your commune registration is processed. The reassuring detail is that several banks — including some with dedicated expat desks — will let you begin the application before you have one, usually giving you a window of around 90 days to supply it before the account is restricted (Expatica). In practice, that means it's worth starting the conversation with a bank as soon as you have a Belgian address, rather than waiting for your registration appointment to be fully complete.
Using Wise or Revolut in the meantime
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It's entirely possible to live in Brussels for a few weeks without a Belgian IBAN. Many UK arrivals use a digital account such as Wise or Revolut to receive a salary, withdraw cash and make transfers to Belgian accounts while their local banking is sorted out (Brussels Times). The one thing worth planning around: some Belgian health insurance funds (mutuelles), gyms and phone or utility contracts specifically require a Belgian IBAN for direct debits and reimbursements, so treat Wise or Revolut as a genuinely useful bridge rather than a long-term replacement.
Which banks tend to work well for UK arrivals
Three of Belgium's largest banks run dedicated expat services with English-language support in Brussels, which tends to make the process noticeably smoother for a first-time move:
| Bank | What's useful for UK arrivals |
|---|---|
| ING | Runs an expat service and desk in Brussels; offers online applications alongside in-branch support. |
| BNP Paribas Fortis | Dedicated expat service and Brussels-based expat desk. |
| KBC / CBC | Expat desk in Brussels; some branches allow an online application with a foreign ID before you have a permanent Belgian address, though an in-person step is usually still required afterwards. |
Expat account packages typically bundle a current account, debit and credit cards, and sometimes insurance products, for an annual fee that varies by bank — it's worth asking each bank for their current expat package pricing directly, since published rates change (Commissioner Brussels).
A sensible sequence
- Set up a Wise or Revolut account before you leave the UK, so you can pay for things and receive transfers from day one.
- Register at your commune as soon as you have a fixed address — see our commune registration guide for the exact steps.
- Once you have a Belgian address (and ideally your annex 15 or registration certificate), start your bank application — don't wait for the National Register Number to arrive first.
- Switch your salary, mutuelle and recurring bills over to the Belgian IBAN once the account is fully active.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a National Register Number to open a Belgian bank account?
Most Belgian banks ask for a Belgian address and a National Register Number to open a full current account, but several banks let you start the application without one, typically allowing up to 90 days to supply it before the account is restricted.
Can I use Wise or Revolut instead of a Belgian bank account?
Yes, many UK arrivals use Wise or Revolut to receive a salary, withdraw cash and make transfers while they wait to register. The catch is that some Belgian health insurance funds, gyms and phone contracts specifically require a Belgian IBAN, so a local account is still worth setting up once you can.
Which Belgian banks have dedicated expat services?
ING, BNP Paribas Fortis and KBC all run dedicated expat desks in Brussels with English-language support, and some allow you to start an application online before you arrive using a foreign ID, though most still require an in-person step once you land.
Not sure how this applies to your move?
Most people start with a quick Zoom or WhatsApp call to talk through their specific situation and timeline — no need to have it all figured out first.
Sources: Commissioner Brussels, Expatica, Brussels Times