Groeipakket for a child with non-Belgian nationality

To receive Groeipakket family benefits, a childcare allowance or a pre-school allowance, in principle a child must usually have Belgian nationality.

Children who do not have the Belgian nationality are still eligible in the following cases.

The child has a right to reside for at least 3 months and therefore normally holds an electronic residence permit, A, B, C, D, F, F+, E, E+ or H card. Please note: a proof of registration is not proof of right to reside for at least 3 months.

You can also prove that the child has a right to reside for at least 3 months by submitting the residence decision.

If the right to reside for at least 3 months is for the purpose of studying, professional training, voluntary work or employment as an au pair, there is no entitlement to Groeipakket family benefits.

The advanced payment of the starting amount during pregnancy is only possible if the future mother also fulfils the residence condition.

A competent centre must certify that the child is a victim of trafficking in human beings or human smuggling. In Flanders this is Payoke NPO, in Brussels Pag-Asa NPO and in Wallonia Sürya NPO.  The child must also have a proof of registration.

The Guardianship Service of the FPS Justice must certify that the child is an unaccompanied minor. The child must also be in possession of a proof of registration.

Does the child not have a right to reside for at least 3 months or can the right to reside not be proven? The child may still be entitled to a Groeipakket if one of the child's parents has a right to reside for at least 3 months.

To receive the school allowance, the child must in principle have the Belgian nationality on 31 August preceding the school year.

Children who do not have the Belgian nationality at that time are still eligible in the cases listed below.

The child has a right to reside for at least 3 months on 31 August preceding the school year and therefore normally holds an electronic residence permit A, B, C, D, F, F+, E, E+ or H card. Please note: a proof of registration is not proof of right to reside for at least 3 months.

You can also prove that the child has a right to reside for at least 3 months by submitting the residence decision.

You can prove that the child is a victim of trafficking in human beings or human smuggling on 31 August preceding the school year.  A competent centre must certify that the child is a victim of trafficking of human beings or human smuggling. In Flanders this is Payoke NPO, in Brussels Pag-Asa NPO and in Wallonia Sürya NPOl. The child must also have a proof of registration.

The child is an unaccompanied minor on 31 August preceding the school year. This must be certified by the Guardianship Service of the FPS Justice. The child must also be in possession of a proof of registration.

A foster child who has been placed in the same foster family for more than one year on August 31 preceding the school year does not have to meet the nationality condition for the school allowance.

You can apply for a Groeipakket with one of the five Groeipakket payment funds.