Before coming to Ghent

If You’re from the EU/EEA or Switzerland 🇪🇺

🗂️ Registration Steps

  • Find housing first! 🏠
  • You’ll need a rental contract to register.
  • Register at the City Hall 🏛️
  • Book an appointment within 8 days of arrival.
  • Bring: ID/passport, rental contract, proof of enrollment.
  • Get your National Number 📇
  • It will be issued after registration. You’ll get a residence certificate instead of a card.

🕐 Timeline: Can take 2–4 weeks.💸 Cost: ± €20 administrative fee.

If You’re from Outside the EU 🌍

🛂 Student Visa Required (Type D)

  • Apply before arriving through the Belgian embassy in your country.
  • Bring: passport, proof of acceptance, financial means, insurance, etc.

🗂️ After Arrival – Register in Ghent

  • Go to City Hall within 8 days of arrival.
  • Bring: visa, rental contract, school enrollment, passport.
  • You’ll get a residence card (A card) once the police confirm your address.

🕐 Timeline: 4–8 weeks💸 Cost: ± €20 + possible visa fees

Student rooms

If you stay in Ghent, you are gonna need a student room.  An average room in Ghent costs €544,11 per month. Tip: if you get a student room a bit further from the centre, it’s less expensive! 💶🏠

How do you get this? First, check with the school in your country if they offer options for international student rooms, sometimes they have connections with schools who offer student rooms. Otherwise, try Facebook groups especially for student rooms

Public transport

If you arrive in Ghent, there are different ways to travel through: bus, bike, train, Uber…

Bike 🚲: you can rent a bike via De Fietsambassade Gent, especially for students in Ghent, price: €60 for six months – bus: €9 for a day ticket or €3 for a ticket which is valuable for one hour. The tickets you can get at the train station in the machines, or in the store next to it – Train 🚟: you can get a Go Pass for 10 rides, or just a regular ticket for €7,70 (choose -26 student), this you can buy at the station itself on the counter or on the machines – Uber 🚗: you can download the app and see where someone can pick you up at what cost.

📌 Extras for Everyone

  • Health Insurance: Mandatory! Make sure you’re covered. 🩺
  • Bank Account: Recommended for rent & daily expenses. 🏦
  • Get a SIM card: Belgium loves paperwork, but you’ll love the waffles. 📱🧇
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