How to Get Belgian Citizenship
As with all countries, there are strict laws that govern an application for citizenship in Belgium. If you want Belgian citizenship, you should start applying for citizenship as soon as possible. Depending on the route that you choose to take to citizenship, the process can take a long time. You should expect the process to take three to six months, not counting the time it takes you to prepare your application before you submit it to the authorities.
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Instructions
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Live in Belgium for at least three years. If you have lived in the country for more than three years, you are entitled to start the naturalization process. Once you have lived in the country for seven years, you actually attain the right to citizenship. In most countries, there isn't a path similar to this automatic granting of the right to citizenship. Your residence permit will have to be renewed at the three-year mark if you wish to remain in the country beyond that point without becoming a citizen.
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Provide a reason that you should become a Belgian citizen. You will have to articulate this during your application process if you have lived there between three and seven years. Basically, you will need either a professional or a personal reason for applying for citizenship. This means you should have a skill required by a specific company, are managing a company, or are an entrepreneur that is self-sufficient and operating in the country. Personally, things like a spouse or children in the country would be acceptable reasons.
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Get your vital documents translated for submission with your application. The official languages of Belgium are Dutch and French. Have the documents translated to the official language of the region that you live in. Required documents include your birth certificate and proof of residence. You may choose to support this with as many other documents as you require to prove your connection to the country.
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Contact the registrar in the municipality that you live in. They can provide you with the forms that you need to complete to apply for naturalization. Complete the forms and package them with your supporting documents. Then, submit them to the registrar.
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