How to Become a Citizen of Belgium

Belgian flag

Want to live in Brussels? Moving to the Ardennes? Are you hoping to make Belgium's fertile plains, web of waterways, urban trilingual society and cool maritime climate into your home? You may wish to become a citizen.

Things You'll Need

• Birth certificate
• Proof of residency
• Passport

Instructions

Basic Requirements

1. Be at least 18 years old and reside principally in Belgium for the three years immediately prior to your application date. For political refugees and stateless people, this period can be reduced to two years.

2. Prove that you have "genuine attachments" to Belgium (work, friends, family, debts). If you meet these criteria, you will have to then fill out a naturalization form in addition to supplying validated copied of your birth certificate and proof of residency within Belgium. It can be helpful to include any other documents that may support your case for obtaining citizenship, such as bank statements or proof of involvement in community activities. If you are married to a Belgian citizen, this step becomes markedly easier.

3. Wait for your file to be processed by the Belgian Service des Naturalisations. It must be approved by the National House of Representatives, which may further investigate your case if necessary.

4. Wait a little longer, this time for the King (or more likely a member of his staff) to approve the legislative act for your naturalization. When this is complete, your name will be published in the Belgian legislature's official journal, the "Moniteur Belge."

5. Wait for the "Moniteur Belge" to ratify and published your case, making you an official Belgian citizen. You are now entitled to the same rights and privileges as any other Belgian citizen. This process generally takes between several weeks and several months.

Tips & Warnings

• If you wish for your children to become citizens as well, you need not repeat the process. Any of your children under 18 are automatically granted Belgian citizenship as long as they reside in Belgium or are "under your authority."

• Don't plan to keep your current citizenship. Upon becoming a citizen of Belgium, your former citizenship is revoked. From that point forward, you are subject to the same obligations and entitled to the same rights and privileges as any other Belgian citizen.