Obtaining Belgian Citizenship and Passport in 2026

Belgian citizenship provides a range of advantages associated with this status, extending across all EU member states, as the country has been part of the union since 1957. Holders of local identity documents have the right to reside and work legally throughout the European Union, conduct business under favorable tax conditions, access high-quality medical and banking services, receive European education, and benefit from solid social support systems. An immigrant who has lived in the country for at least five years may apply for a passport.

According to the legislation, Belgian citizenship can be obtained by birth, declaration, or naturalization. Applicants may also qualify for the status on the basis of origin or adoption. The conditions for acquiring a Belgian passport are discussed further in the article.

Migration Legislation of Belgium

Issues related to obtaining a national identity document are regulated by law — the Belgian Nationality Code and the Constitution of the state (Code de la Nationalité Belge). According to these legislative acts, citizens have the right to:

• participate in the political life of the country (voting, running for election);
• work in public office;
• employment, free choice of profession, fair working conditions and remuneration;
• social security;
• justice;
• freedom of religion;
• healthcare;
• inviolability of the home;
• freedom of speech;
• education.

Citizens of the Kingdom of Belgium have the following obligations:

• to comply with the provisions of the Constitution and the legislation of the country;
• to pay state taxes and duties;
• to preserve natural resources, historical and cultural heritage;
• to fulfill military obligations (for those liable for service).

What a Belgian Passport Provides

Obtaining Belgian citizenship grants an immigrant a range of advantages as a full-fledged EU resident. In addition, in 1985 the country signed the Schengen Agreement, which, together with EU membership, provides the following privileges to holders of national identity documents:

• the right to legally reside and work in any EU member state;
• the ability to visit 173 countries worldwide without a visa;
• access to high-quality healthcare under a unified insurance system across the EU;
• simplified business registration and favorable conditions for entrepreneurship (corporate tax — 25%);
• entitlement to benefits and payments for pensioners, people with disabilities, the unemployed, and other socially vulnerable groups;
• access to affordable lending in European banks.

Ways to Obtain Belgian Citizenship

Foreign nationals can obtain a Belgian passport on certain grounds in accordance with the country’s migration legislation:

• by origin (right of blood);
• by acquiring the status of adoptive parents;
• by birth (right of soil);
• after residing for a specified period (declaration);
• through naturalization;
• by restoration of status.

Origin

Citizenship is automatically granted to a child of a Belgian parent (or both) if the child is born:

• on the territory of the Kingdom or another territory under its sovereignty;
• abroad, if the mother and/or father apply for the status within five years from the child’s birth;
• abroad, if the person does not acquire citizenship of another country before the age of 18 (this also applies to descendants of Belgian citizens).

Adoption

A Belgian passport may be obtained by a person who was adopted before the age of 18 by a Belgian citizen (or two), regardless of their place of birth. In such cases, the adoptive parent must apply for the status for the child within five years from the date of guardianship.

Children born on the territory of the Kingdom and adopted by Belgian citizens (or one of them), as well as by foreign nationals who have lived in the country for at least 5 of the last 10 years, are also considered citizens of the Kingdom.

By Birth

A Belgian passport may be issued to:

• an applicant born and permanently residing in the country, provided that their mother and father (or one of them) were born and have lived in the Kingdom for at least 5 of the last 10 years;
• a foundling discovered in the country (if representatives from non-EU countries are later identified, the status will be revoked);
• a person under the age of 12 born in Belgium, if at least one of their parents has permanent residence and has submitted a declaration to legalize their stay in the Kingdom after 10 years of residence (applies to both biological and adopted children).

Declaration

Adult immigrants can obtain a Belgian passport after five or more years of continuous residence in the country. Applicants must confirm knowledge of one of the three official languages (German, French, or Dutch), as well as demonstrate social and economic integration into local society.

Family union is a legal way to obtain Belgian citizenship, provided that the applicant has resided in the country for five years. At the time of submitting the declaration, the duration of the marriage must be at least three years, and no additional requirements are imposed on applicants. These conditions also apply to parents of minor Belgian citizens.

Pensioners (aged 65 or older) and persons with disabilities are also entitled to apply for citizenship of the Kingdom. Applicants must confirm their age or condition with the Federal Public Service Social Security.

A declaration submitted by any immigrant is automatically considered an application for naturalization unless it is rejected.

Naturalization

Adult immigrants who have legally resided in Belgium for at least two years may apply for citizenship under exceptional conditions, bypassing the declaration stage. Applicants must demonstrate outstanding achievements in research, social activities, culture, or sports. Obtaining Belgian citizenship through naturalization is a privilege rather than a right of the applicant.

Stateless persons who have legally lived in the Kingdom for at least two years may also acquire citizenship on the basis of naturalization.

Restoration

Any adult applicant who has lost Belgian citizenship has the right to apply for its restoration, provided they have legally resided in the country for at least 12 months with permanent residence status. If the status was lost as a result of voluntary renunciation, the public prosecutor may issue a negative decision on the application.

Conditions for Obtaining Belgian Citizenship

Applicants for a Belgian passport on the basis of declaration must meet the following requirements:

• be over 18 years of age;
• have a place of permanent residence in the country;
• hold a temporary or permanent residence permit;
• meet the required duration of continuous legal residence in Belgium in accordance with the law;
• have knowledge of one of the official languages at a level not lower than A2 (except for applicants over 65 and legally incapacitated persons);
• have a legal and stable source of income (except for spouses and parents of Belgian citizens, persons with disabilities, and pensioners);
• provide proof of integration into society (education, employment, interaction with local residents, etc.).

How to Obtain Belgian Citizenship: Step-by-Step Procedure

The process of obtaining Belgian citizenship involves several consecutive steps, each of which requires compliance with established legal procedures and deadlines. Below is a step-by-step overview of how an applicant can move from obtaining an entry permit to receiving a Belgian passport.

1. Obtaining an entry permit.
   The applicant contacts the consulate or embassy of the Kingdom in their place of residence and submits an application for a long-term national visa of category D. Legal grounds for obtaining an entry permit include study, business, family reunification, employment, and others. The visa application is processed within 15 days, but in some cases may be extended up to 45 days.
2. Obtaining a residence permit.
   Upon arrival in Belgium on the same grounds that were used to obtain the national visa, the applicant has the right to apply for temporary resident status. A residence permit card is issued to the immigrant for a period of one year or more with the possibility of extension. After five years of residence in the country, the applicant may apply for a national identity document.
3. Submitting a citizenship application.
   The applicant pays the fee via the official website of the Ministry of Finance (MyMinfin) or to the account of the municipality at their place of residence in Belgium. Proof of payment is included in the application file. The applicant personally submits the document package to the civil registry office of the regional municipality. Additionally, the applicant must provide proof of knowledge of one of the official languages of the Kingdom and sign a declaration expressing the intention to become a citizen, as well as a commitment to comply with national laws and respect the Constitution and the Convention on Human Rights.
4. Completing the document file.
   Civil registry officials are given 30 days from the date of submission to verify the completeness of the file. If required documents are missing, the applicant is given 2 months to provide them. After completion and re-verification, the municipality issues a receipt to the applicant. The registration office then forwards copies of the applicant’s documents to the prosecutor’s office, the State Security Service, and the Immigration Department for a decision.
5. Response from the prosecutor and granting of citizenship.
   The applicant receives notification from the municipality regarding the results of the prosecutor’s review within up to four months. In the case of a positive decision, the immigrant is granted citizenship status and receives an official confirmation document.
6. Obtaining Belgian identity documents.
   The applicant can obtain a Belgian ID card and international passport at the municipality by prior appointment, based on the document confirming citizenship status. The ID card is issued within 2–3 weeks, while the international passport is issued within 8–10 working days.

What Documents Are Required to Obtain Citizenship

The basic application file for a Belgian passport is compiled in accordance with the following list:

• birth certificate (translated into one of the official languages of the Kingdom and notarized);
• proof of integration into society (school certificate or diploma from a Belgian educational institution, certificate of completion of 400 or more hours of professional courses, employment certificate);
• local residence permit;
• proof of economic participation in society (employment certificate confirming at least 468 working days over the past 5 years, tax declarations for entrepreneurs for 6 or more quarters);
• civil status documents (if applicable).

Applicants of retirement age and persons with disabilities must additionally provide:

• a certificate of incapacity from a local insurance company;
• a certificate of early retirement due to health conditions (if applicable);
• a copy of a court decision on incapacity (if it resulted from an accident);
• a disability certificate from the Federal Public Service Social Security.

Applicants for naturalization based on exceptional merits must attach documentary evidence of personal achievements, such as diplomas, patents, certificates, awards, or proof of an academic degree.

The document package for parents or guardians of a minor additionally includes:

• the child’s birth certificate (biological or adopted);
• residence permit or identity document of the child (for applicants over 12 years old);
• adoption certificate (if applicable).

Preparation of the full application file includes translation and legalization of documents issued in foreign languages other than the official languages of Belgium.

How Much It Costs to Obtain Belgian Citizenship

It is not possible to buy a Belgian passport, as the legislation does not provide for programs to obtain immigration status through investment. However, investing in a business can serve as a basis for obtaining a local residence permit. The amount of investment in an existing or newly established Belgian company is not regulated. An applicant for resident status must undergo a due diligence check, confirm the availability of capital, and demonstrate experience in the chosen field of activity. After five years of residence in the country, an investor has the right to apply for a national identity document at the standard cost.

The table below shows the step-by-step cost of obtaining status on general grounds.

Dual Citizenship in Belgium

Belgian immigration law does not require renunciation of a passport from the country of origin. Since there are no diplomatic agreements between non-EU countries and the Kingdom regarding mutual recognition of identity documents, this is not considered dual citizenship but rather second citizenship. A person holding passports of two countries will be regarded by each state solely as its own citizen while on its territory. For example, when staying in a non-EU country, the individual will be recognized only as its citizen, while in Belgium — as a Belgian citizen.

For citizens of some countries, it is mandatory to notify the competent authorities about obtaining a second passport. When crossing the border of the country of origin, it is recommended to present the primary identity document, while for travel within the EU — the Belgian travel document.

Belgian Citizen Passports

The Belgian international passport is a biometric document with an electronic chip. The standard version is issued as a booklet with 34 pages, although the applicant may request a version with 66 pages if needed. The validity period of the document is 7 years for adult citizens and 5 years for individuals under the age of 18. The Belgian international passport is dark red in color. The cover features the national coat of arms and inscriptions in four languages — Kingdom of Belgium, European Union.

Holders of a Belgian identity document have the right to visit 189 countries without obtaining entry permits, including Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, Canada, and Singapore.

To apply for a Belgian passport, the following documents are required:

• a residence permit or another identity document;
• photographs (for children under the age of four).

Belgian citizens over the age of 12, in addition to an international passport, have a national ID card. The document contains a chip with biometric data and is used for identity verification, electronic signatures in government online services, and travel within the EU. To apply for an ID card, the applicant must provide a previous identity document and photographs taken no more than six months prior.

Refusal to Grant Citizenship

The most common reasons for refusal to grant Belgian citizenship are:

• submission of an incomplete application file without subsequent completion;
• identification of false information or forged documents;
• legal issues within the country;
• confirmation of a fictitious marriage.

To avoid refusal, the applicant should carefully approach the preparation of documents, compile the file in accordance with the established list, and provide accurate information. It is advisable to seek assistance from specialists in international law.

An applicant who receives a refusal from the prosecutor’s office has the right to appeal the decision in a court of first instance. The applicant must file an appeal no later than 15 days after receiving notification from the municipality. If the outcome of the hearing and case review is negative, the applicant may submit a petition to the court of appeal. In the event of a positive decision by the judge, the applicant will be granted Belgian citizenship.

Reviews of Immigrants and Assistance in Obtaining Citizenship

Residents of non-EU countries often note the rather lengthy procedure for legalizing residence as one of the disadvantages of moving to Belgium and obtaining local citizenship. For this reason, immigrants sometimes prefer to obtain a national identity document of another EU country that offers accelerated status acquisition programs. Given the equal rights of EU residents, obtaining an EU passport allows its holder to legally move to Belgium, settle there, and work officially. Reviews from those who have obtained EU citizenship through repatriation highlight such advantages of simplified programs as the absence of significant expenses and reduced processing times.