The modern route was put into service on March 4, 2006, initially connecting Linkeroever with Deurne.

The first tram route 5 in Antwerp was put into operation on November 12, 1903 on the trajectory between the Kammenstraat near the Groenplaats in the city centre and the "Dikke Mee" near the Nachtegalenpark in Wilrijk.

In Wilrijk, the line was shortened a bit, and had its new terminus at the August Van Daelplaats (now Frans Nagelsplein).

In 1974, due to the introduction of a car free zone on the Groenplaats after it had been renewed, the terminus of route 5 was moved from the southern to the northern part of the square.

[2] The creation of route 5 was a part of the anti-congestion plan proposed by the "Bond voor Trein-, Tram- en Busgebruikers" (translation: "Alliance for Train, Tram and Bus Users").

The creation of the new tram route allowed the citizens of Deurne to benefit from a faster connection with the city centre, using the pre-metro network between Linkeroever and Schijnpoort.

[4] On April 14, 2012 the route was extended from the Wim Saerensplein in Deurne to the Fortveldstraat in Wijnegem, after construction works had started in 2009.