Our team offers complete assistance to those interested in immigration to Belgium from the United States of America.
In order to immigrate to Belgium from US, American citizens will need to apply for a visa type D that will allow them to stay in the country for more than 90 days. Alter
natively, they can seek employment or apply for family reunification, both of which are situations in which a different residence permit will apply.
In this article, we outline the main types of visas as well as the general procedure for getting settled in the country and, for those who wish to relocate permanently, applying for Belgian citizenship.
Requesting the correct type of visa from your local Belgian Embassy or Consulate-General is the first step toward moving to Belgium.
Table of Contents
Types of visas in Belgium
Coming to work in Belgium is among the top reasons why American citizens choose to make this change. However, it is not the only one.
We briefly state the types of residence permits for those who are interested in relocating from US to Belgium:
- Employment: the first step is to secure an employment contract with a Belgian company; the first document that will be issued will be the work permit, followed by the residence permit.
- Business: a category for self-employed individuals as well as those who are interested in starting a business; the country’s position in Europe guarantees easy access to surrounding markets, an important and strategic decision that can motivate the relocation.
- Study: for US nationals who are interested in studying in Belgium at KU Leuven, the University of Ghent or another University.
- Family reunification: for US citizens who already have a family member living in Belgium lawfully or for spouses who are married to a Belgian citizen; our Belgium immigration lawyer can provide more details about family reunion cases.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visa requirement to enter Belgium |
No |
| Types of temporary residence permits for those who relocate from US to Belgium
|
Employee, self-employed, person of means, student, trainee, family reunification |
|
Documents for temporary |
Valid travel document, visa application form, passport photos, medical certificate, visa-specific documents (employment agreement, proof of family ties, proof of acceptance to study in Belgium, etc.) |
| Approximate time needed to obtain a temporary stay permit |
3-6 weeks |
| Residence permits for investors in Belgium | No specific residence permit. Investors apply for the Visa D (for temporary residence) |
| Temporary residence permit duration |
Generally 1 year. Can be extended |
| Post-arrival registration with the Belgian authorities |
Within 8 working days of arrival, with the population department of the municipality of residence |
| US permit holder can bring dependents to Belgium | Yes |
| Facilities for US nationals married to a Belgian citizen | The minimum residency requirement before applying for citizenship is not reduced |
| Minimum lawful stay before applying for permanent residence | 5 years |
| Minimum time in the country before applying for citizenship | 5 years |
| Naturalization requirements for those who relocate from US to Belgium | Lawful stay in Belgium for at least 5 years, registration with the population register, sufficient knowledge of one of the national languages, proof of social integration and contribution to the country’s economy |
| Dual citizenship | Yes, dual citizenship is available for those who relocate from US to Belgium |
| US pension available in Belgium | Individuals can continue to receive U.S. Social Security Benefits. An agreement between Belgium and the United States is in place for the purpose of social security protection. It is advisable to check the benefits that are covered by the agreement |
| US national taxation in Belgium | Residents pay personal income tax on their worldwide income (with rates between 25% and 50%) The US and Belgium have signed a double tax treaty preventing individuals from being taxed twice on the same income |
The application for the chosen visa type is submitted in person and the time needed for processing the documents will depend on the reason for the relocation as well as the applicant’s personal situation.
We encourage US nationals to start the process as soon as possible once they have started looking for employment or have decided on another manner in which they will go forward with the relocation.
Our team of Belgium immigration agents is ready to answer any questions you might have, starting with those that may concern the incipient stages or issues that arise after you arrive in the country.
We also provide full assistance for obtaining the Belgian residence permit.
US nationals who relocate to Belgium need to keep in mind that registration with the municipality in which they will live is mandatory in order to lawfully live in the country.
This is performed within approximately 8 days of arrival and it is important to observe these terms. We can provide you with more information on this process.
You can also gain Belgian citizenship if you wish to relocate from the US, based on keeping your main place of residence in the country for at least 5 years. If you are married to a Belgian citizen, this minimum period can be of only 3 years, however, you will still need to meet the other general requirements for this purpose, such as having sufficient language knowledge.
The naturalization procedure for Belgium immigration
When the relocation from US to Belgium is a permanent one, obtaining Belgian nationality is a natural step after having lawfully lived in the country for a number of years.
This is the process called naturalization, through which any foreign national can acquire citizenship. We present the main conditions below:
- be registered: as previously mentioned, registration with the local municipality is mandatory right after arrival and it is also a condition for naturalization;
- legal stay in the country: the applicant is required to have lawfully lived in the country for at least 5 years before submitting the naturalization application; according to the Belgium immigration rules, this is done by renewing the residence permit as needed;
- language skills: US nationals must show that they have sufficient knowledge of one of the three national languages;
- participation: social integration and active participation in the economic life of the community is required for naturalization.
Minors can be granted Belgian nationality if they are less than 5 years old and are born to a Belgian parent who was also both abroad (for example, a Belgian who was born in the United States).
Another possibility for the naturalization of children is if they are less than 12 years old and are born in Belgium to parents who have been residing in the country for more than 10 years.
If you wish to immigrate to Belgium from US with children, our Belgium immigration lawyer will be able to answer any additional questions.
Our immigration specialists also assist investors. You can reach out to us if you wish to know more about obtaining Belgium citizenship by investment.
Types of visas available in Belgium vs. Netherlands
US citizens interested in moving to another European country, for example to a neighboring country of Belgium, such as the Netherlands, should know that the same types of visas are available there:
- employment,
- business,
- study,
- family reunification.
However, US investors can also relocate to the Netherlands under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty. According to this treaty, American entrepreneurs can open a business in the Netherlands if they have the necessary capital and they can easily become the sponsors for their close family members (spouses and/or children). For more details about the DAFT visa or any other type of Dutch visa, our partners from Immigration-Netherlands.com can assist you.
Issues to consider for US citizens who relocate from US to Belgium
In order to immigrate to Belgium from US, American citizens need to take a number of issues into account, starting with having regular income and integrating into society, as well as more routine issues such as taking care of their driver’s license and signing rental agreements and utility services agreements with Belgian providers.
Working with our team of Belgium immigration specialists even before you arrive in the country (or shortly thereafter) will greatly decrease the time needed to settle all these mandatory matters and registrations with the authorities.
Depending on the region where you relocate or where you find a job opportunity, you will need to speak either French or Flemish. When language is a barrier, our team will help represent you in front of the Belgian authorities as needed.
Below, we discuss some of the issues that US citizens should be mindful of when relocating to Belgium.
The list is not an exhaustive one and each individual (or family) will need to address it in a manner that will suit their particular situation.
Taxation
The United States and Belgium have signed an agreement for the purpose of avoiding double taxation in the case of individuals who derive income from both countries.
In addition to this, they have also signed an agreement focused on social security protection in the case of individuals who work or have worked in these two countries.
In the case of the United States, the social security agreement covers social security taxes.
U.S. social security coverage is possible for a U.S. national working temporarily in Belgium only if the person works for a U.S. employer.
Belgian residents are subject to taxation on their worldwide income, regardless of their nationality.
Non-residents are taxed only on their Belgian-source income.
The following personal income tax rates apply:
- Taxable income of EUR 13,540 or less: 25%;
- Taxable income of EUR 13,540.1 – EUR23,900: 40%;
- Income between EUR 23,900.1 – EUR 41,360: 45%;
- Income of more than EUR 41,360: 50%.
Our team can give you more details about personal income taxation in Belgium.
The education system
US citizens who move from the US to Belgium with their minor children will need to enroll them in a kindergarten or school in their community.
The general language division at a national level also applies to the education system, meaning that schools in different communities will teach either in French or Flemish.
Compulsory schooling in Belgium takes place between 6 and 18 years of age, with primary school between 6 and 12 years and secondary between 12 and 18 years.
American citizens can also enroll their children in an international school, which has received proper accreditation, for example from the Council of International Schools, among others.
Foreign nationals from the United States who need assistance during any stage of the relocation process can reach out to our English-speaking team.
Reasons to relocate from US to Belgium
Moving to a European country is an interesting proposition for many US citizens.
American nationals can choose to relocate to Belgium in order to pursue career options, to diversify their portfolio, to work as au pairs or simply as an intra-company transfer.
Regardless of the reason for the relocation, here are some of the main reasons why Belgium is a good option:
- A multicultural country: it was estimated that in 2020 there were more than one million foreigners living in the country;
- Europe’s doorstep: Belgium is conveniently located at the heart of Europe; American citizens who relocate here will enjoy the close proximity to other famous cities like Paris or Amsterdam, as well as having the option to travel to London from Brussels with the high-speed train, the Eurostar;
- Work-like balance: when living in Belgium, Americans who work in white-collar jobs can enjoy flexible hours, as well as a favorable work-life balance;
- Many other reasons: from Brussel’s vibrant city life to the various networking opportunities and good healthcare and education systems, Americans in Belgium will enjoy a good quality of life.
According to figures presented by the Brussels Institute for Statistics and Analysis, the number of foreign nationals from the United States of America was the following:
- 3,137 were living in the Brussels-Capital Region;
- 4,124 were living in the Flemish Region;
- 3,532 were in the Walloon Region.
If you are a US national willing to relocate to Belgium you can contact our team of Belgium immigration lawyers for more details on how to immigrate to Belgium from US and obtain a residence permit and, later on, citizenship.
We assist all foreign nationals who wish to apply for a residence permit for Belgium. While US citizens are subject to conditions according to their nationality, remaining in the country for medium or long-term purposes (more than three months) can be different for EU citizens. You can better understand the conditions applicable according to nationality by reaching out to our team.
