Obtaining Belgian citizenship

Belgian citizenship is available for foreigners who have lived in the country for at least 5 years. Among other conditions - possession of one of the state languages (French, German or Dutch) and demonstration of integration into society (for example, undergoing training, employment). Also, the passport of this EU country is acquired on the basis of marriage, origin and through investment. The process, conditions, methods of obtaining and restoring Belgian citizenship are regulated by the Law on Citizenship.

The popularity of the kingdom among immigrants is due to the high standard of living, education and medicine (7th place in Europe), stable economy. Also, the Belgian passport allows to travel without a visa, live and work in any EU state without additional permits. In addition, the country is suitable for those who plan to become a holder of a second citizenship, because during naturalization you will not have to give up the status in your home country.

Advantages of Belgian citizenship

Belgian citizens are the owners of an EU passport, which guarantees social security and privileges in various spheres of life. The main advantage of this status is the ability to live, do business and invest throughout the territory of the association. Also, among the advantages that the Belgian passport gives are:

1. priority over non-residents for employment in EU countries;
2. visa-free entry to more than 160 countries, including Canada, Australia, Cuba, Indonesia and the USA;
3. access to free education, which is valued worldwide, as well as the opportunity to receive grants and scholarships in Belgium and other EU countries;
4. social guarantees, including quality medical care, support in case of unemployment, and pensions;
5. the right to vote and participate in elections and to hold public office;
6. consular and diplomatic assistance when traveling abroad;
7. the possibility to pass on citizenship to children, simplified family reunification process for close relatives wishing to immigrate to Europe.

The main disadvantage faced by foreigners on the way to Belgian citizenship is the duration of naturalization, because only after 5 years of residence in the kingdom you can get access to all rights. In addition, the immigration process is very complicated due to numerous nuances and legal requirements. Applying to lawyers of international law will help simplify the process of obtaining an EU passport and will give confidence in achieving a successful result. Sign up for a free consultation right now to learn more about it.

The main ways to obtain a Belgian passport

You can become a Belgian citizen by birth, by reinstatement or by naturalization, after having lived in the territory of the Kingdom for a fixed period of time.

Naturalization

In most cases, in order to obtain a Belgian passport, a foreigner needs to follow the standard path of naturalization, which takes at least 5 years. Below we will consider the key grounds that allow you to immigrate to the kingdom, and then in the long term to apply for residence permit and citizenship:

1. Study. Student residence permit is issued on the basis of enrollment in a Belgian educational institution. It is necessary to have sufficient means of subsistence (from 803 EUR per month), health insurance, a certificate of no criminal record, and parental consent (for minor applicants). The residence permit is issued for the period of higher education. After completing your studies, you can request a non-renewable permit for setting up a business or finding a job, valid for 12 months.
2. Self-employment. To be self-employed in Belgium, you must obtain a residence permit “Professional Card” (beroepskaart). The permit is granted if you have a higher education diploma, a business plan, proof of stable income (from 2,131 EUR per month). In addition, you may need a resume or portfolio, company's memorandum of incorporation, other documents. The permit is issued for 2 or 3 years (depending on the type of employment) with the right to extend it for a similar period. After 5 years of residence in Belgium it is possible to apply for permanent residence and citizenship.
3. Work. A single permit is issued by a Belgian employer through the Working in Belgium portal on the basis of an employment contract concluded with a foreigner. Depending on the category of the employee, a diploma of higher education, proof of salary not lower than 2 111 EUR per month (for highly qualified persons - from 3 703 EUR) may be required. A residence permit is issued for a period of up to 3 years with the possibility of extension according to the procedure similar to the initial permit.
4. Family reunification. Family members (spouses, registered partners, children) of Belgian citizens or foreigners legally residing in the country can obtain a residence permit. The document is issued for the duration of the host country's permit, with the possibility of renewal, as well as the possibility of obtaining a residence permit and citizenship in the future. Family reunification is available provided that the sponsor has suitable housing, health insurance, sufficient income, and a certificate of criminal record.
5. Marriage. Adult spouses or partners of Belgians can obtain a residence permit in the country valid for 5 years. The prerequisite for authorization is a marriage certificate or proof of stable relationship, housing, sufficient income (from 2131 EUR per month), health insurance policy. During 5 years the couple must comply with the conditions of family reunification, after which the foreigner has the opportunity to apply for permanent residence and citizenship by standard naturalization.
6. Refugee status. International protection beneficiaries can obtain a Belgian residence permit valid for 5 years. Each case is examined individually by the CGVS (Commissariat général aux réfugiés et apatrides, Commissariat General for Refugees and Stateless Persons). Foreigners who apply for asylum must, if possible, provide identification and proof that their life or freedom is threatened in their home country. After 5 years of residence in Belgium, refugees are granted a permanent residence permit.

Investments

In Belgium there are no programs that allow you to obtain residence permit and citizenship through the purchase of real estate. The only option for investors is to set up a company in the territory of the kingdom or to acquire and develop an existing business. Each application is individually considered by the Ministry of Economy and Employment, and there is no minimum investment threshold. The project to be implemented must be of interest to a specific region of Belgium (for example, promotion of culture, creation of new jobs, innovation in design).

Investors can obtain a residence permit of the “Professional Card” type on the basis of a business plan, a certificate of criminal record and a certificate of company registration. Depending on the planned activity, additional documents may be required. The card is valid for a maximum of 5 years with the right to extend it for a similar period. Extension of the permit is carried out if the company's activities are profitable or there is evidence of attracting investments that contribute to the further success of the enterprise.

Requirements and procedure for obtaining a Belgian passport

To acquire Belgian citizenship by naturalization, it is necessary to collect a dossier, the composition of which depends on the basis and requirements of a particular municipality. In most cases, you will need the following documents:

1. passport;
2. a current residence permit;
3. birth certificate;
4. receipt for payment of registration fees;
5. proof of proficiency in one of the three national languages;
6. proof of social integration, participation in the economic or cultural life of the country, if applicable (employment contract, education diploma and others).

Documents issued by foreign authorities are provided in the original or in the form of a certified copy with a translation into French, Dutch or German. The path to a Belgian passport through standard naturalization consists of the following steps:

1. Visa request. To enter the kingdom and stay there for more than 90 days, a visa is required. Permission in the form of a sticker on the page of your passport can be granted by the Belgian Consulate abroad. It is necessary to submit a request at least 4 weeks before the proposed trip and pay the fee (180 EUR). It is necessary to fill in the visa application in advance through the electronic portal Visa-On-Web. The list of documents depends on the reason for staying in the country (work, study, family reunion).
2. Registration of a residence permit. A residence permit can be obtained from the Belgian consulate abroad or the municipality. The administrative fee for the application is 140 EUR. The price for the production or renewal of a residence document, which must be changed every year, is up to 50 EUR. The residence permit is issued for a period of one year or more, provided that the documents confirming the basis for staying in the kingdom (employment contract, certificate of enrollment in a higher education institution, marriage certificate and others) are submitted. The residence permit can be extended for a similar period of time with payment of a fee (140 EUR), if the conditions of issuance of the initial permit are preserved.
3. Obtaining a permanent residence. After 5 years of legal residence on the territory of Belgium, you have the opportunity to acquire the status of long-term resident, which has no time limit. The request is submitted to the municipality at the place of registration with payment of a fee (40 EUR). An applicant for permanent residence must have a regular income (at least 1038 EUR per month in 2025), health insurance, as well as provide a certificate of no criminal record, passport, valid residence permit.
4. Acquisition of citizenship. After you have lived in Belgium for 5 years, you can apply for citizenship. You can obtain an application form and a list of the necessary documents by contacting the municipality where you are registered. The dossier you have collected will be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. The registration fee is 150 EUR. After the decision and royal approval, the act is published in the official newspaper of the state, and the applicant becomes a Belgian citizen and receives an identity card from the municipality.
5. Issuance of national documents. Any Belgian citizen aged 12 years or older must have an identity card (e-ID). The card is issued at the municipality with a valid passport and photo, fingerprints and a fee (18 to 30 EUR). The E-ID allows you to travel to 50 countries, including the entire European Union, but for other travels you need a passport. The document can be requested at a municipality or Belgian consulate abroad, with a tax (30 EUR) and a fee (from 35 EUR). The passport is issued on the basis of an identity card.

It will take at least 5 years to become a holder of Belgian citizenship by naturalization. Reviews of people who have received a passport of the kingdom, say that it is very difficult to successfully pass immigration without knowing the nuances of the procedure and the current legislation. If you are looking for opportunities to acquire citizenship of an EU country in an easier way, it is worth considering simplified ways. By contacting lawyers with specialized knowledge and years of experience, you can get a customized solution to quickly obtain a European passport in 4-14 months.

How much time and money it takes to obtain a Belgian passport

The main cost items on the way to a Belgian passport include government fees for visa, residence permit, permanent residence, citizenship and national documents. The total price of fees for naturalization, which takes 5 years, will be 953 EUR. The state does not offer simplified immigration programs, so the cost and duration of the process of obtaining citizenship does not depend on the basis for moving. At the same time, investors applying for a professional card should take into account the amount of funds that will need to be invested in the country's economy.

Additional costs include translation and legalization of documents (20 EUR per unit). It will also be necessary to pass a French, Dutch or German language test, paying about 250 EUR. In addition to administrative fees, it is worth considering accommodation costs. Renting a one-room apartment in Belgium will cost from 730 EUR per month, a three-room apartment - from 1068 EUR. Monthly expenses of one person living in the country are approximately 941 EUR, and a family of four will need 3317 EUR. The final amount to be paid depends on individual preferences and situation.

What doesn't work: how you can't get a Belgian passport

The path to a Belgian passport is a complex process that requires compliance with legal procedures with clearly defined deadlines and conditions for applying for residence permits and permanent residence. Wishing to obtain EU citizenship as soon as possible, some people try to find ways to bypass some stages of immigration. Therefore, there are numerous myths and a lot of misinformation circulating in this area. The following are the most common misconceptions about obtaining a Belgian passport:

1. It`s possible to buy a citizenship. Offers to purchase the national passport of any country are fraudulent. Forging documents and attempting to use them is punishable by criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment for up to 10 years. Also, in Belgium, as well as throughout the European Union, there are no programs that allow you to obtain citizenship for investment. Investing in the economy or founding a business is only a pathway to a residence permit, but naturalization will be required to become a national passport holder.
2. Fictitious marriage to a Belgian allows you to quickly obtain citizenship. If the union with a Belgian citizen is for the purpose of obtaining a residence permit, the participants in the scheme face fines or imprisonment. Even if the marriage is legal, the authorities scrutinize it and require proof of the sincerity of the relationship. There is no simplified procedure for foreigners to acquire citizenship. Marriage to a Belgian is only the basis for a residence permit, and a passport of the kingdom can be obtained after 5 years of residence on the territory of the state.
3. A child born in Belgium becomes a citizen of Belgium. The Kingdom of Belgium is governed by the principle of the “right of blood” (jus sanguinis), unlike, for example, the United States, where the “law of the soil” (jus soli) applies. A child born on the territory of the state receives the citizenship of his or her parents. There is an exception for children under 12 years of age who have lived in Belgium all their lives, and at least one of the guardians is in the country with residence permit for at least 10 years.

Attempts to circumvent the law threaten fines and criminal liability. Also, the violator can expect deportation, a ban on entry to Belgium and EU countries. The only way to obtain citizenship of a European country is to follow migration procedures and fulfill the conditions established by law. To choose a program for obtaining a second passport in Europe in 4-14 months, it is worth consulting with specialists. Based on the existing circumstances, lawyers will draw up an individual plan, prepare all the necessary documents and will accompany you at all stages of its implementation.

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Dual citizenship in Belgium: whether it is allowed to hold more than one passport

Since 2006 it is officially allowed to have a second passport in Belgium. Foreigners who apply for citizenship of the kingdom by any means, including naturalization, can retain their original status. However, it is necessary to check whether the legislation of your country of origin does not prohibit you from holding two national documents. For example, Austrians in most cases lose their first passport if they voluntarily underwent naturalization in another state.

It is worth noting the difference between the concepts of dual and second citizenship. Bipatrism is possible only if there is a treaty between the countries, which mutually recognizes the obligations and rights of people with two passports. Such status allows choosing the place of military service and tax residency, receiving diplomatic assistance from both sides.

Second citizenship means the presence of two national documents, which can be used, for example, for visa-free travel to different countries of the world. It is worth taking into account that Belgium has not concluded special bilateral agreements with other countries, which excludes the possibility of obtaining the status of bi-patriate in the kingdom.

Where it is faster and easier to obtain a second passport: an overview of alternatives

To expand your options, including visa-free travel and access to the European labor market, you can apply for a second citizenship. You don't have to go through the lengthy naturalization process in Belgium to get all the benefits of an EU passport. For example, Slovenia, Romania and Bulgaria offer more affordable repatriation citizenship programs, the main condition for which is the confirmation of ethnic or territorial belonging to the country.

It is important to understand that successful completion of any citizenship program requires in-depth knowledge of the legal nuances that migration specialists possess. In cooperation with them you will be able to become a passport holder of an EU country in 4-14 months. International law specialists will choose the most suitable immigration option, take over the preparation of the dossier and provide support at every stage of legalization of the status. To learn the details of simplified programs for obtaining European citizenship, make an appointment for a free consultation.