If you are interested in moving to Belgium, then our immigration lawyers in Belgium can provide the adequate assistance needed in this process.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Entry visa requirement (from EU) (YES/NO) | No |
Entry visa requirement (outside EU) (YES/NO) | Yes, with some exceptions applicable to citizens of selected countries travelling to Belgium for short-term purposes. |
| Types of visas available
| Short-term visas (tourist visits, family visits, business trips, Schengen area transit, etc.) Long-term visas (work, investment, study, family reunification) |
| Time frame for obtaining work visa (approx.) | 90 days for highly qualified worker applications to 4 months for employed workers. |
| Validity of temporary residence permit | 1-3 years, depending on the type of permit, renewable |
| Time frame for obtaining permanent residence | 6-9 months |
| Investor Visa Availability | No |
| Sponsorship requirement | No |
| Time frame for obtaining citizenship | 5 years |
| Citizenship/Residency by investment scheme availability | No |
| Tax benefits for expats | Expatriate tax regime for foreign nationals working in the country temporarily. |
| Dual citizenship permitted in Belgium (Yes/No) | Yes |
Spouses/dependents can join the foreign national | Following an application for family reunification |
Mandatory registration with the Municipality | Yes |
| Residence cards for non-EU family members | Obtained from the Municipality |
| Minimum mandatory income | As per the current minimum wage requirements in Belgium |
| Residence verification | Performed by a local police officer, after the address/change of address is registered with the Municipality |
| Administrative fines for non-compliance with the conditions for lawful stay | Fines of EUR 200 for failure to register with the Municipality; other fines can apply |
| Mandatory documents for long-term stays (> 3 months) | Depending on the reason for the stay ( job-seeker, self-employed, employed, student, etc.) |
| Conditions for citizenship by naturalization | Reside in the country lawfully and uninterruptedly for at least 5 years |
| Forcible removal from Belgium | The individual is an unreasonable burden on the social security system (only when unemployed) Failure to submit the documents that prove the long-term stay The application for stay is refused The permission for stay ceases due to no longer meeting the conditions Termination of permanent residence due to public policy, national security, or public health issues |
| When to contact us for assistance | Before you start the application, for complete advice on the needed documents For any other information, once you arrive in Belgium |
How can immigration lawyers in Belgium assist me?
Our team of immigration lawyers in Belgium offers the following types of services:
- Choosing the right type of visa: there are several types of visas in Belgium intended for short or long-term stay; the needed visa will depend on the motive for the stay, be it for employment, research, or study;
- Visa application assistance;
- Pre-immigration guidance;
- Post-immigration assistance.
What types of Belgian visas are available depending on the purpose of my stay?
Belgium offers several visa options depending on the purpose and duration of your stay, ranging from short-term visas for visits or business activities to long-term visas for work.
Short-term visas, for stays of up to 90 days, including:
- tourist visits;
- visits to family or friends;
- business trips;
- short-term internships;
- Schengen transit.
Long-term Visas, for people who wish to settle in Belgium, including:
- work;
- investment or self-employment;
- study;
- family reunification.
For a quick overview of the immigration services available in Belgium, explore the infographic below:
How can I apply for a visa in Belgium?
Applications for Belgian visas are made to the local consulate or embassy in the foreigner’s country of residence.
The application is submitted in person, although certain exceptions can apply. If there is no embassy or consulate of Belgium in the country where you wish to submit an application, you can do so at the embassy responsible for the country (in a neighboring country).
The application form is accompanied by additional relevant documents. Starting in 2015, a new contribution is applicable for long-stay D-type visas, and it must be paid to the Immigration Office in Belgium.
The video below lists the main steps for moving to Belgium:
What investment options qualify me for a Belgian residence permit?
Belgium does not operate a statutory Golden Visa or residence-by-investment program similar to those available in certain other European countries. Simply purchasing real estate or making a passive financial investment does not automatically entitle you as a foreign citizen to obtain a Belgian residence permit.
Non-EU nationals may instead obtain residence by establishing or operating a genuine business activity in Belgium as a self-employed person. In most cases, this requires obtaining a Professional Card, which authorizes the applicant to engage in an independent economic activity and may serve as the basis for applying for a long-stay residence permit, provided that all legal immigration requirements are met.
Who is eligible for Belgian citizenship?
To obtain Belgian citizenship, the first condition is to be over 18 years of age as a foreign citizen; then, it is necessary to file a declaration stating that Belgium is your main place of residence. It is also necessary to meet the requirements of being legally applicable in this country.
The requirements vary depending on the situation of each applicant. In most cases, a period of five or ten years of legal residence in Belgium is required. However, there are special conditions for people married to a Belgian citizen who have lived together in Belgium for at least three years, as well as for biological or adoptive parents of a Belgian child who has not yet reached the age of 18.
Naturalization is a separate and exceptional procedure for acquiring Belgian citizenship. It is mainly aimed at people who have achieved outstanding results in the scientific, sporting, or socio-cultural fields and whose merits can contribute to the international prestige of Belgium. At the same time, the applicant must explain why, in his specific situation, acquiring citizenship through the ordinary declaration procedure is practically impossible.
What are the main requirements for obtaining Belgian citizenship?
For many foreign nationals who move to Belgium, the goal is to remain in the country permanently. This also means that at a certain point, after having spent a minimum number of years in the country, one can apply for citizenship through naturalization.
This is one of the ways in which a foreign national can become a Belgian citizen, along with the marriage option or citizenship by birth, for those who are born to Belgian parents.
Please find below the primary conditions for obtaining citizenship by naturalization, as this is a common option for those who decide to immigrate to Belgium:
- have the status of a permanent resident, be registered in the population register;
- live in the country continuously for at least five years (short-term leaves are permitted);
- provide knowledge of one of the national languages;
- offer evidence as to social integration as well as participation in the economic life (derive income, either as an employee or as a business owner, in most cases).
There is no requirement in Belgium to renounce another nationality. Foreign nationals who obtain Belgian nationality can also remain nationals of other countries, as applicable in their case.
Contact us for more information on how to immigrate to Belgium, helped by our specialized lawyers.