Converting a Driving License in Belgium for Foreigners
Daniel Osiomwanuri
This post is also available in:English /
Updated:
Jun 26, 2025
Published:
Jun 18, 2025
Are you planning a short or permanent stay in Belgium and want to continue driving? Depending on your license's issuing country and other factors, you can convert your driving license or apply for a new Belgian one.
This guide explains how to convert a foreign driving license in Belgium. You’ll learn who needs to exchange their license, the conditions involved, required steps, costs, processing time, benefits, and when sworn translation services are necessary.
Table of Contents
Can a foreigner get a driving license in Belgium?
Foreigners can get a driving license in Belgium. However, the process often depends on your nationality and current driver's permit status. Generally, you have two options,
If you hold a license issued by a country in the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), you can continue driving in Belgium until it expires. On the other hand, if you are from a non-EU/EEA country, you can only use your license for up to 185 days before converting it.
However, if you don't have a driving license, or it's not recognised in the country, you must apply for a Belgian driver's permit.
Note: If your driver's license is printed in a non-Roman Alphabet (Arabic, Japanese, Cyrillic, etc), you need an International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL) or an official translation in English while driving in Belgium.
Who needs to exchange their license in Belgium?
In Belgium, European and non-European driving license holders will need an exchange, depending on their situation.
EU/EEA license holders: If your foreign license is invalid, lost, or stolen, you must exchange it or apply for a new one in Belgium. Also, if yours is valid for life, like the Swiss driving license, you must exchange it within two years of registering in Belgium.
Non-European driving license holders: If a driving license is issued in a non-EU country, you must exchange it within 185 days of registering in Belgium. However, this only applies if the non-European country has a recognition agreement with Belgium. You must apply for a Belgian driving license if your local license isn't recognised in Belgium.
Note: Non-European driving license holders can drive in Belgium within the 185-day grace period with a valid recognised international driving license (Vienna and Geneva Conventions) that is not a Belgian driving license. The international driving permit is only valid if presented with the national driving license for which it was issued.
Which countries' driving licenses can be exchanged in Belgium?
Belgium recognises the driving license of countries under two categories. Here's a breakdown
EU/EEA countries
Non-EU countries with a bilateral exchange agreement
Austria
Argentina
Bulgaria
Australia (some states)
Croatia
Brazil
France
Canada (some provinces)
Finland
Japan
Estonia
United Kingdom
Cyprus
United States (some states)
Czech Republic
New Zealand
Denmark
Tunisia
Sweden
Turkey
Conditions for exchanging a foreign driving license in Belgium
Although you can exchange your international driving license in Belgium as a foreigner, there are some conditions you must meet.
Residency: You must be registered in Belgium for at least 185 days.
License validity: The foreign license must be valid and recognised by Belgium.
Issuance period: The license should be issued before you register in Belgium.
Authenticity: The Belgian authorities must be able to verify that the license is genuine
Nationality or proof of residence: You must either have the same nationality as the country of license issuance or provide proof of residence in that country for at least 185 days during the year of issuance.
Note: If you don't have a valid license, you might have to take the theory driving test and apply for a new one in Belgium.
How to get a driving license in Belgium
To apply for a Belgian driving license exchange as a foreigner, you must submit a request, get approval, and order online or in person. Here's how to exchange your foreign driver's license in Belgium;
Submit the Belgium driving license exchange request
The first step is to submit an exchange request online or in person at the municipality where you registered. You will provide the foreign license and other required documents for authentication.
Authentication
The authority will send your request to the FPS Mobility or police station for verification. If approved, you will be notified to proceed with your license exchange.
Order a Belgian license
Once authenticated, you can order your driver’s permit online or in person at the driving license department municipality where you are registered. For example, if you registered in Brussels, you can make an appointment online via MyBXL. You can also book in person at the counter of the Brucity Administrative Centre or the liaison offices of Laeken, Louise, and Neder-Over-Heembeek.
Collection
Once authenticated, you will be notified to collect your Belgian driving license. You can collect the Belgian permit at the counter where you made the exchange request without an appointment.
Required documents for converting a foreign driver's license in Belgium
You must submit the following documents when exchanging your foreign driving license for a valid Belgian one;
Valid ID card or Belgian residence permit.
Original and valid foreign driving license.
A recent passport photo on a white background is recommended, especially if your appearance has changed since your ID was issued.
Certificate of loss or theft issued by the Belgian or foreign police services (If the European driving license is lost or stolen while in Belgium)
Sworn translation of driver's license: If the license is not in French, Dutch, or English, a translation by a sworn translator is required.
Translayte offers sworn translation services for driver's licenses and other documents. Our service allows you to get a Belgian driving license and drive in Belgium. We provide:
Application process time for converting a foreign driver's license in Belgium
The application timeline for exchanging driving licenses in Belgium takes about 2 months. Here's the breakdown;
Exchange request and authentication: estimated time of 2 months
Ordering the Belgian driving license: 5 working days
Costs of converting a foreign driver's license in Belgium
A valid driving license issued in Belgium costs about €20 - €35, depending on the municipality. However, getting a translation of documents will increase the cost. Typically, Sworn translation rates start from €20 to €50 per page. So, you should budget about €150 for everything, depending on the number of documents and licenses you want to exchange.
What if your non-European driving license can't be exchanged?
You must apply for a Belgian driving license by enrolling in a driving school and passing the driving test. The test consists of two parts: a theory (risk perception exam on a computer) and a practical driving test on the road. This helps authorities determine if you have the necessary knowledge and driving skills.
You can take the theoretical exam in Dutch (in Flanders, Brussels), French (in Wallonia, Brussels), German, or English. You can hire a sworn interpreter for the exam if you can't speak or understand any of the languages. Furthermore, you must take both exams at an authorised centre in Belgium. After passing the theory test, you can apply for a provisional driving license to learn how to drive a car with or without supervision.
Obtaining a Belgian driving license offers other benefits besides allowing you to drive legally in Belgium. Here are some:
A Belgian driving license is valid for ten years. This means you don't have to worry about short-term renewal and the hassles it brings.
The Belgian driving license is recognised in many countries in and outside Europe, such as Japan, South Africa, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. This means you can travel hassle-free and drive locally.
If a Belgian license is lost or stolen, replacing it is straightforward if it's registered. You only need to report the theft to the police, obtain a certificate of loss or theft, and then apply for a duplicate at your local municipality in Belgium.
Get Sworn translation services for foreign driver's license exchange in Belgium.
