Cohabitation Visa for Belgium: How a Thai Partner Can Move Without Marrying (2026 Guide)

You are not married, but you want to live together in Belgium? Belgian law lets the Thai partner of a Belgian citizen join them through legal cohabitation. It gives the same right to family reunification as marriage, with one extra condition: you must prove that your relationship is stable and lasting. This guide explains the conditions and steps for 2026.

1. Who can apply?

• The Thai (or other non-EU) partner of a Belgian citizen who lives in Belgium. Other rules apply if the Belgian has lived in another EU country, or if the partner in Belgium is not Belgian.
• Both partners are single: not married, and not in a lasting relationship with anyone else.
• Both are over 21, or over 18 if they have lived together for at least one year.
• The couple can prove a stable and lasting relationship (section 3).
• Legal cohabitation is open to all couples, including same-sex couples.

2. Step by step

1. Prepare the documents of both partners. Thai documents are translated by a sworn translator and legalised (see section 4).
2. Apply at TLScontact Bangkok for a D visa “with a view to legal cohabitation” (code B48).
3. The Immigration Office checks all conditions now: relationship, income, housing and insurance. Average time: about 4.5 to 5 months.
4. If approved, the visa is valid 6 months. On arrival, register at the commune within 8 days.
5. Declare legal cohabitation at the commune before the 6 months end. The card is not renewed.
6. Right after the declaration, apply for family reunification at the commune with only your passport and the declaration. The commune then issues an F card.

Already declared legal cohabitation in Belgium? Then the Thai partner applies in Bangkok for a family reunification D visa instead, with the cohabitation declaration and the same proof of relationship, income, housing and insurance. The decision must be taken within 6 months. Ask us which option fits your situation.

3. Proving a “stable and lasting” relationship

You need one of these three:

1. Living together in Belgium or another country, without interruption for at least 1 year before the application.
2. Knowing each other for at least 2 years before the application, with regular contact (phone, messages, e-mail) and 3 meetings in those 2 years that add up to 45 days or more.
3. A child together.

Tips for the 2-year option

• Keep tickets, boarding passes and hotel bookings for every visit. Since April 2026, Schengen borders use the EES system and no longer stamp passports, so your own travel records matter more.
• Show contact spread over the whole 2 years, not only the last months.
• Write a clear timeline of your relationship: how you met, each visit with dates and number of days, and your plans together.

4. Documents

From the Thai partner

• Valid passport
• Certificate of single status
• Birth certificate (to prove age)
• Medical certificate from a doctor approved by the Belgian Embassy, less than 6 months old
• Criminal record certificate, less than 6 months old
• Travel health insurance valid at least 3 months after arrival, minimum €30,000 cover
• Proof of payment of the Belgian administrative fee

From the Belgian partner

• Copy of the Belgian ID card
• Certificate of single status
• Proof of stable, regular and sufficient income (ideally the last 12 months)
• Proof of suitable housing (registered rental contract or property deed)
• Proof of health insurance (mutuality) covering the partner

From both

• Proof of the stable and lasting relationship (section 3)

Translations: Thai documents must be translated by a sworn translator into French, Dutch, English or German. A translation made in Thailand must be legalised as a separate document: first by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then by the Belgian Embassy.

Sources: Immigration Office (IBZ): visa to declare legal cohabitation, IBZ: family reunification with a Belgian, IBZ: D visa application (checked October 2026).

5. Income, housing and insurance

These are the same conditions as for a married spouse:

• Income: stable, regular and sufficient. As of October 2026: €2,217.47 net per month under the old rules or €2,456.97 net per month under the new rules (law of 18 July 2025, transition until 18 August 2027). Which amount applies depends on your file.
• Housing: suitable for the family. Stricter criteria apply from 18 August 2027.
• Health insurance covering both partners in Belgium.

More details in our family reunification guide.

Doing it yourself vs. with Spoyzy

	On your own	With Spoyzy
Proof of the relationship	Unclear what counts and how to present it	We help you build the timeline and count the 45 days
Translations and legalisations	Easy to do in the wrong order	We handle each step in the right order
Communication Thailand–Belgium	Each partner gathers documents alone	We explain to both of you, in Thai and in your language
Medical certificate and criminal record	Find the right doctor and office yourself	We guide you and check the dates
Visa form and TLScontact	Many forms, one chance to get it right	We fill in the form, book the appointment and meet you at TLScontact

6. Common problems

• Fewer than 45 days, or only 2 meetings in 2 years.
• No proof of visits: since EES there are no stamps, so keep tickets and boarding passes.
• Income too low or irregular, or only a few months of payslips.
• Thai documents not translated by a sworn translator, or legalised in the wrong order.
• Medical certificate or criminal record older than 6 months on the application date.
• Cohabitation not declared before the 6-month stay ends.
• Doubts about the relationship: the Immigration Office can invite you to an interview, which adds time.

7. How Spoyzy can help

We help Thai–Belgian couples prepare a complete and consistent file, in Thai, English, French and Dutch:

• check your situation and the right procedure;
• a personal document list for both partners;
• legalisation and sworn translation of the Thai documents, in the right order;
• help with the medical certificate and the criminal record certificate;
• the relationship timeline and the proof of the 45 days;
• the visa form, the TLScontact appointment, and we meet you at TLScontact on the day.

Frequently asked questions

Is legal cohabitation the same as marriage?

No. It is a declaration made at the Belgian commune. For family reunification it gives the same right as marriage, but you must also prove that the relationship is stable and lasting.

How long does the cohabitation visa take?

About 4.5 to 5 months on average after the application, according to the Belgian Immigration Office. Preparing the documents takes extra time, so start early.

Can same-sex couples apply?

Yes. Legal cohabitation is open to all couples.

We have only met twice. Can we apply?

Not with the 2-year option yet: you need 3 meetings and at least 45 days in total over 2 years. Plan another visit, keep the proof, and apply after.

Can you guarantee the visa?

No one can: the Belgian Immigration Office decides. We make sure your file is complete, consistent and clearly proves your relationship.

Related guides: Family reunification after marrying in Thailand · Belgium visit visa for a partner · Marriage registration in Thailand