L card after 5 months waiting period

Blueskii New member

Member since 03 April 2022

BlueskiiNew member23 May 2025 13:41:48

Hi everyone,

I reached the end of my 5-month waiting period for the L card earlier this month. As many of you probably know, in most communes, once there鈥檚 no objection within those 5 months, the L card is considered automatically approved, and people usually get an appointment to collect it from 5 months + 1 day.

However, my commune is refusing to do that. They told me they won鈥檛 give me anything鈥攗nless they receive a paper from Immigration office first. No appointment, no updates鈥攋ust 鈥渨ait.鈥�

I鈥檝e tried emailing and calling but haven鈥檛 gotten any response. At this point, I feel stuck just waiting with no clear end in sight, which is super frustrating.

On top of that, my rental contract is ending soon and I want to move to a new place. Does anyone know if changing my address now (since the 5 months have already passed) could affect my L card application?

Has anyone else experienced something similar with their commune? Would really appreciate any advice or shared experiences!

Thanks!

Mia0210 Active member

Member since 10 December 2022

Mia0210Active memberYesterday 08:10:11

@Blueskii

Hi,

I'm really sorry you're going through this鈥攕adly, it's something that happens way too often with communes in Belgium.

You're right: when it comes to the L card, the law clearly says that if no decision is communicated to the commune within 5 months after you received Annex 16bis, then the application is considered automatically approved. That means the Immigration Office (DVZ) is no longer in charge of your case鈥攊t鈥檚 already approved by default because no rejection was issued.

Now it鈥檚 the commune鈥檚 responsibility to take the next step and order your L card. Unfortunately, many communes don鈥檛 do this鈥攕ometimes because they don鈥檛 know the rules, and sometimes (sadly) because they have a negative attitude toward foreigners.

But it鈥檚 really important that you stand up for your rights. You are now considered a long-term EU resident, and that status comes with many rights鈥攊ncluding the right to get your card issued once the 5 months are over.

Calling and emailing often doesn鈥檛 help, because there鈥檚 no legal proof. If you ever take legal action, for example in court, they can easily claim you were just asking about the weather or next year鈥檚 carnival.

So what you should do now is write an official request demanding the immediate issuance of your L card. You can write it yourself or ask ChatGPT to help. Include a copy of your Annex 16bis showing the submission date. In your letter, refer to the legal texts:

Titel I, Hoofdstuk IV Verblijfswet (regarding long-term EU residents)

Titel I, Hoofdstuk III Verblijfsbesluit (which clearly outlines the deadlines)

Again, this is not DVZ鈥檚 fault鈥攂y not giving you a negative decision, they鈥檝e actually approved it by default. So this complaint needs to go to your commune鈥檚 complaints department.

Send your letter by registered post, or bring it in person to the reception (no appointment needed). Once your complaint reaches the right person (the "klachtenbeheerder"), you鈥檒l likely be invited quickly to apply for your L card.

Good luck and remember, don鈥檛 let local staff who misuse their position or just don鈥檛 want to help stop you from accessing your legal rights. Belgium is still a democratic country with strong institutions. The law is on your side.