Moving to Kraainem with an international family: language facilities, registration and street permits

Kraainem sits right on the edge of Brussels, but it belongs to the Flemish Region, in the province of Flemish Brabant. For international families, that raises practical questions: in which language will the commune write to you, which deadlines apply, and what is needed for the removal truck? Here are the answers, from official sources.

A municipality with language facilities

Kraainem is officially a municipality with language facilities ( gemeente met taalfaciliteiten ). This means you can use French as well as Dutch in your dealings with the municipal administration.

If you want to receive municipal documents in French, you can register a French language preference ( taalvoorkeur ):

• the preference is valid for 4 years and must be renewed each time that period ends;
• each person fills in the form individually, minors included;
• you can submit it via the online e-loket, by post (Arthur Dezangrélaan 17, 1950 Kraainem), by email to bevolking@kraainem.be, or at the municipal offices against a receipt.

The municipality bases this procedure on a ruling of the Council of State of 20 June 2014. Details on the page Taalvoorkeur(in Dutch).

Registration deadlines

• Arriving from another EU country for more than three months: register with the municipality within three months of arriving in Belgium (federal rule, see IBZ). Our article on registration deadlines for EU citizens explains the annexes you will receive.
• Moving to Kraainem from elsewhere in Belgium: report your new address within 8 working days. One adult member of the household can do it for everyone, online via the digital counter or by appointment. A neighbourhood police officer or authorised official then checks that you live at the address. See Aangifte van adreswijziging.

Moving day: the street-occupation permit

Kraainem explicitly lists placing a removal truck and furniture lift among the cases of public-space occupation, which may require a parking ban. Requests are filed online via Eaglebe , 5 to 21 working days in advance depending on the type of occupation, with a clear sketch or signage plan. Some cases also require approval from De Lijn and/or the Flemish roads agency (AWV). See Inname openbaar domein.

Moving between Kraainem and Woluwe-Saint-Lambert? Read our article (in French) Déménager entre Woluwe-Saint-Lambert et Kraainem : deux régions, deux démarches.

Your move to Kraainem with EXP MOVING

EXP MOVING is a family-run removal company based in neighbouring Zaventem since 1990. We handle national and international moves, packing, piano moving, dismantling and reassembly, secure storage and a furniture lift with operator. On request, we book the parking spaces with the commune. Ask for your quote on our page moving in Kraainem.

Information checked on 28 October 2026 on kraainem.be, ibz.be and vlaanderen.be. The official pages remain the reference.