Family reunification
This procedure does not apply to family reunifications for vacations. In this case, only an application for a tourist visa for those traveling is required.
It's easier to arrive with your family initially than to bring them in once you've settled.
The residence application for each member of your family will be made at the same time as yours. The documents required are those that prove the links with your family members: marriage certificate or certificate of legal cohabitation, children's birth certificates, etc. If you are not married to your partner, you can register as a single household.
The formalities described below are only relevant if your family arrives after you have settled in Belgium.
Applying for family reunification
For family reunification in Namur, your spouse must submit the application to the Belgian embassy as soon as you meet the following conditions.
You must:
- be registered at the Town Hall;
- prove that your family will be covered by a mutual insurance company in Belgium (ask the mutual insurance company for the document);
- have a suitable housing solution (a registered rental contract);
- have sufficient income to support the family (this document is provided by the local administration on the basis of bank statements or pay slips for the last three months).
Access conditions may vary depending on your country of origin. For the latest procedures, please consult the Belgian diplomatic website: https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/services/embassies_and_consulates
It takes six months after all documents have been sent to the Belgian embassy before your family is granted a visa. When your family arrives in Namur, all its members must go to the Town Hall to register. Your presence is compulsory on that day.
Your spouse
To register your spouse with the local administration, follow the same procedure as for the person already in the country. A marriage certificate or registered declaration of cohabitation (for unmarried couples who have followed this procedure in their country of origin), translated into French by a sworn translator, must be ready to apply for registration. A certificate of affiliation to the Mutuelle will also be requested.
Certificate of identity (children)
The procedure for registering children with the municipal administration is the same as for people already in the country. Mandatory presence of the child and the father or mother is required.
Documents required:
- Child's passport or national identity card
- Photos of identity
- A birth certificate
If your child is over 12 years old, you'll also need to present a mutual insurance certificate.
If the child is registered in the presence of only one parent, that parent must present a parental authorization document issued by the other parent. This official document is issued by the local authority in the country of origin or by the consulate, at the request of the other parent. It must be translated into French by a sworn translator.
Newborn child
A newborn child does not receive an identity card, unless he or she is traveling to another country. In this case, this document must be requested from the communal administration. A photo of the child will be required.
Attestation de mutuelle
The foreigners' department of the communal administration requires an attestation from the mutual insurance company proving that you are affiliated to the health insurance scheme and that your family is covered. This document is issued by the mutual insurance company.
Registering with the mutual insurance company
Once you have completed the procedure for registering your family with the communal administration, you must request a document called "household composition". This document lists the names of your family members living under the same roof. You will need to submit this document to your Mutuelle in order to complete your file.
Office de la naissance et de l'enfance
This is a free public service offering:
- monitoring of pregnant mothers during prenatal check-ups.
- monitoring of children's health, medical appointments and vaccinations.
- contacts for approved crèches / daycare centers.
Nurseries
Nurseries welcome children aged 0 to 3 on working days. In some crèches approved and subsidized by ONE (Office de la Naissance et de l'Enfance), parents' contribution to fees depends on their professional income. Children are admitted as long as their parents work. However, in non-subsidized crèches, the price paid by parents is determined by the organization and is slightly higher. In addition to crèches, another option is to use a licensed childminder in a private home. Some of these services are subsidized by the ONE. These childminders are called "Accueillante d'enfant conventionné ONE".
Crèches, after-school clubs and sick childcare at UNamur: SAPEFUN. E-mail: creche@unamur.be
Spaces are limited, so the crèche or nursery for children of University staff is often fully booked. In this case, you'll need to find alternative solutions for your child with an outside structure (other crèches or home childminders): http://www.namur.be/fr/ma-ville/education/petite-enfance/annuaire-des-milieux-daccueil-de-la-petite-enfance
For the city of Namur, the public body responsible for ensuring reliable childcare is Sonefa.
Family allowances
Entitlement to child benefit as a salaried employee requires salaried employment in Belgium. Since January 1, 2019, it is up to the mother of the child to claim child benefit from one of the benefit funds of her choice.
More information and a list of benefit funds are available at https://www.wallonie.be/fr/actualites/reforme-des-allocations-familiales
Family insurance
With or without children, accidents can easily happen. It is highly recommended to take out family insurance to cover some of the costs incurred by accidents.
Insurance companies and many Namur banks offer insurance policies:
French courses for families
- ILFOP
Rue Saint-Jacques, 28
5000 Namur
https://ilfop.be/index.php/cours-de-francais/
- IEPSCF
Place de l'Ecole des Cadets, 6
5000 Namur
- ECOLE INDUSTRIELLE ET COMMERCIALE DE LA VILLE DE NAMUR
Rue Pépin, 2b
5000 Namur
- ALPHA 5000
Rue Bruno, 18
5000 Namur
School
In Belgium, in addition to subsidized public schools, there are schools funded by the linguistic community (i.e. the French Community) and subsidized "free" schools, which traditionally leave religious communities free to teach their values. The curricula and diplomas of the three systems are equally recognized and cover all three levels of education (primary, secondary and higher). Compulsory schooling in Belgium lasts from age 6 to 18. Belgian education is structured as follows:
- Pre-school education: for children aged 3 to 6
- Primary school: for children aged 6 to 12
- Secondary education: for children aged 12 to 18
- Higher education (including Hautes Ecoles and Universities): from age 18.
The list of schools at all levels in Namur and neighboring communes https://www.namur.be/en/ma-ville/education
Classe passerelle
This class is designed for students entering the first cycle of secondary education.
The Institut Henri Maus in Namur offers a transition year enabling non-French-speaking students to reach a level of French enabling them to follow the curriculum.
The Institut Technique de Namur (ITN) also offers this course.
Diploma equivalence for your child
You or your child's enrolment in a school requires a procedure for the recognition of diploma equivalence.
In all cases, this request for equivalence must be submitted to the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles by the school where the enrolment takes place. You should therefore bring all the required documents with you on the day of enrolment, or as soon as possible.
For more information, visit: http://www.equivalences.cfwb.be/
In summary, here are the documents required in most cases:
- Child enrolled in nursery school: not applicable
- Child enrolled in primary school: previous years' report cards + a certificate of school attendance
- Child enrolled in secondary school: original birth certificate, report cards for the last three years, original document proving payment of administrative fees (which do not correspond to the actual cost of enrolment).
Children enrolled at university or college
Application to be submitted by July 15.
High school diploma + transcript, original birth certificate, motivation letter or completed motivation form, original document proving payment of document processing fees. For students whose schooling took place outside the European Community, proof of access to higher education is also required.