Rental guarantee
without Belgian identity card
When a foreign tenant wants to rent a property in Belgium, one problem often comes up: how do you set up a rental guarantee without a Belgian identity card?
Many Belgian banks and services require a Belgian eID or access to itsme®, which complicates matters for non-residents. Fortunately, solutions do exist.
Why is the Belgian identity card a problem?
In Belgium, the classic rental guarantee is often based on :
- a Belgian bank account,
- a Belgian digital identification (eID or itsme®),
- or access to national administrative platforms.
Foreign tenants (French, Germans, Spaniards, international students, expatriates) frequently encounter the same obstacles: they are unable to open a conventional Belgian bank account. Nor can they block funds via 100% online banking.
Complete our form to obtain an online rental guarantee in just a few hours. You don’t tie up the funds because we act as guarantor on your behalf.
False good solutions that don't work
- Revolut, Wise or other online banks: These accounts do not allow you to block a rental guarantee recognized in Belgium.
- Simple transfer to the lessor’s account: Illegal and risky, the guarantee must remain in the lessee’s name or be managed by a third party.
- Verbal undertaking or unofficial document: Not recognized in the event of a dispute.
Possible solutions without a Belgian identity card
Blocking funds via e-DEPO (subject to conditions)
The FPS Finance e-DEPO service enables you to officially block a rental guarantee. However :
- access is often conditional on itsme® or Belgian identification;
- some foreigners can access it via an itsme account for non-residents, but this is not always possible or quick. This solution remains complex for foreign tenants.
Rental guarantee via a private organization: the simplest solution
The solution most frequently used by tenants without a Belgian identity card is the rental guarantee via Garantie.be:
- no Belgian identity card required;
- no sum is blocked in a bank account;
- the process is 100% online;
- the guarantee is valid throughout Belgium;
- accepted by lessors and compliant with Belgian legislation.
The organization acts as guarantor for the tenant in return for a guarantee fee, without tying up any funds.
What documents are required?
Even if you don’t have a Belgian identity card, you still need to provide certain documents, even if all the procedures are carried out online:
- a valid foreign identity document (passport or national identity card);
- lease contract or draft lease ;
- information on income or employment status;
- sometimes a guarantor or additional supporting documents.
Illustration of the Belgian identity card
Here’s what an identity card looks like in Belgium
