The municipality of Saint-Gilles, one of Brussels’ busiest communes for residence-permit applications, has confirmed that its Identity, Foreigners and Civil-Registry departments will be closed on Monday 12 October 2026 because of the national public-sector strike. The announcement—posted over the weekend—affects in-person services for first-time EU cards, F/F+/K/L cards, passport issuances and address registrations. While the commune’s e-counter will remain accessible online between 08:00 and 12:00, many global-mobility teams rely on physical appointments to capture biometrics or to finalise card collection. With no walk-in or appointment slots available, foreign assignees whose 90-day visa-free stay is expiring this week could face a technical overstay. Saint-Gilles advises impacted applicants to use the IRISbox portal to file extensions and to upload supporting documents; the time stamp of the digital submission will serve as proof of timely application. Employers should download confirmation receipts to include in personnel files and to present during social-inspection audits if necessary. The closure also suspends issuing of interim ‘Annexe 15’ certificates, often required for salary payments and SIM-card activation. Companies onboarding new hires on Monday should prepare alternative ID-verification methods, such as notarised copies of passports, to avoid payroll delays. Neighbouring communes Forest and Ixelles have not yet indicated whether they will follow suit; mobility managers may wish to shift appointments to these jurisdictions if slots are still available. However, they should anticipate longer queues as applicants re-route.
Source: Commune of Saint-Gilles
