Exemption for foreign nationals who have received a scholarship granted by a government or an institution listed in article 1/1 of the Royal Decree of 08.10.1981

A scholarship is a grant to study or conduct research work issued in whole or in part by or on behalf of a government or an institution listed in Article 1/1 of the Royal Decree of 08.10.1981, i.e.:

  • The Belgian State, by or pursuant to the law of 19.03.2013 on Belgian Development Cooperation, or the institutions under Belgian law financed by the Belgian State under Article 27, § 5, of this law of 19.03.2013 or under Article 5, § 2, 5°, of the law of 21.12.1998 establishing the Belgian Technical Cooperation in the form of a company under public law;
  • The communities, regions, provinces and municipalities;
  • Higher education institutions, organised, recognised or subsidised under federal or community law (universities, academies, colleges, higher institutes, etc.);
  • The international organisations of public law of which Belgium is a member (European Union, etc.);
  • Foundations of public utility recognised by royal decree.

Proof that a scholarship has actually been granted by a government or an institution designated by article 1/1 of the Royal Decree of 08.10.1981 is provided by the standard form issued by this government or institution or by a certificate issued by the Directorate General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (FPS Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation).

Standard form - PDF

Who is it for?

  • Students enrolled at a state-organised, recognised or subsidised institution of higher education, as well as students enrolled at other types of institutions;
  • Researchers who have signed a hosting agreement with an approved Belgian institution;
  • Students wishing to study in Belgium after having obtained long-term resident status in another member state of the European Union;
  • Researchers wishing to conduct research in Belgium after having obtained long-term resident status in another member state of the European Union.