25 Feb '15

Dramatic fall in applications for Belgian nationality

Summary

Because of new regulations around applications for Belgian nationality, the number of applicants have dropped radically over the last two years

 

11 this year

The number of people applying for Belgian nationality has dropped off sharply due to tough new rules introduced in 2012 by the previous federal government.

The number of application has plummeted in recent years, from 18,732 in 2013 to just 113 in 2014, according to figures published by Het Laatste Nieuws. And the downward trend looks set to continue, with just 11 people applying for Belgian nationality so far this year.

Despite the sharp drop, authorities are still struggling to clear the backlog of cases waiting to be approved. Some 42,000 applications were still due to be processed at the end of last year, according to the report. More than 2,100 applications have been approved since then, while 1,200 have been rejected.

Tough new procedures were introduced in 2012 to replace the snel-Belgwet procedure, which granted nationality automatically to anyone who had lived in the country for seven years.

Under the new rules, candidates must show that they speak at least one of the three national languages, are integrated into the society and have worked at least 468 days in Belgium during the previous five years. There are also strict requirements concerning any absences from the country, even for short periods.

Residents married to Belgian citizens have far fewer problems and are processed much more quickly.

Critics argue that the new rules prevent many people, such as part-time workers, from applying for nationality. 

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Belgian government

Belgium is a federal state made up of three regions and three communities, based on language (Dutch, French and German). The federal level is responsible for issues such as justice, defence, finances and foreign affairs – matters that affect the entire country. Belgium is also a constitutional monarchy.
Regions - The regions are comparable to American states or German Länder. They are geographical entities, responsible for matters related to their territory, such as public works, environment and economy. Belgium’s three regions are the Flemish Region, the Brussels-Capital Region and the Walloon Region.
Communities - Communities are responsible for matters that directly affect residents, such as education, welfare and culture. Belgium’s three communities are the Flemish Community, the French Community and the German Community.
Flanders - Although regions and communities do not overlap exactly, the Flemish Region and the Flemish Community have merged into the Flemish government. Its official language is Dutch. The Flemish Parliament sits in Brussels, which is the official capital city of Flanders (as well as Belgium).
11

population of Belgium in millions of people, with 6.2 million living in Flanders.

6

number of state reforms that have resulted in the federal system as it is today.

4

number of years for which the federal House of Representatives and the Senate are elected.

  • Belgium Federal Portal
  • Government of Flanders
  • Brussels-Capital Region

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