Obtaining Belgian nationality

Belgian law provides for two procedures for obtaining nationality: naturalization and declaration of nationality.

Naturalization is possible for special categories of citizens. As part of this procedure, the candidate will receive special merit in the fields of science, sports, culture and society, which contribute to increasing Belgium's international prestige.

The declaration of citizenship is open to all other candidates. The prerequisite for this procedure is the candidate's integration into Belgian society.

Firstly, successful integration is proven by five years' continuous residence in Belgium and knowledge of one of the national languages (French, Dutch, German). Applicants must also prove economic integration (studies or work).

More specifically, a successful candidate must meet the following conditions:

a) Be an adult (18 years of age). b) Have a clean criminal record. Applications from persons under investigation or convicted of immigration or tax offences, as well as offences punishable by imprisonment, will not be considered. c) Have a residence permit for an unlimited period. d) Have had uninterrupted residence in Belgium for 5 years covered by a residence permit. For the calculation of 5 years' residence, residence permits of limited duration (at least 3 months) are taken into account. e) Have knowledge of one of the three national languages (French, Dutch, German). Language proficiency is proven either by a certificate confirming completion of language courses or by passing the corresponding exam (level A2), or by any of the documents listed in paragraph f). f) Prove successful integration into Belgian society. The following supporting documents are authorized:

• Belgian high school diploma;
• diploma of vocational training in Belgium (at least 400 hours of training);
• certificate confirming completion of the integration course;
• 5 years' uninterrupted professional experience in Belgium as a worker, employee, civil servant or private entrepreneur.

g) Participation in the Belgian economy The following evidence is admissible:

• 468 days of work in Belgium over the last 5 years as a worker, employee or civil servant;
• if the applicant has worked as a private entrepreneur, you must prove that social security contributions for the last 6 quarters have been paid over the last 5 years.

Confirmation of participation in the economic life of Belgium is not compulsory for spouses of Belgians and for parents of Belgian minors, but in this case they must:

• or pass the integration course;
• or have a Belgian secondary school diploma;
• either undergo vocational training (at least 400 hours) and work 234 days as a worker, employee or civil servant over the last 5 years, or work as a private entrepreneur, having paid social security contributions for at least 3 quarters.

Our lawyers specialize in legal assistance in obtaining citizenship.

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