Citizenship / Naturalization in Belgium

Belgian Nationality (Declaration of Acquisition / Naturalisation)

Allows long-term legal residents to acquire Belgian citizenship by declaration of acquisition or naturalisation. The registration fee was increased to €1,000 by the law of 18 July 2025 (previously €150), indexed annually from 1 January 2026. The declaration of recovery of Belgian nationality remains free of charge.

Processing time

Several months for the declaration procedure

Validity

Permanent (citizenship)

Language requirement

Proof of knowledge of one of the three national languages (Dutch, French, or German)

Permanent residence

N/A - confers full citizenship

Citizenship

Declaration of acquisition available after 5 years of legal residence (a 10-year route with lighter conditions also exists)

Requirements

• At least 5 years of legal and uninterrupted residence in Belgium (10-year route also available)
• Proof of knowledge of one national language
• Proof of social integration (recognised diploma, integration course, 5 years' continuous work, or vocational training)
• Proof of economic participation (e.g., at least 468 days of work over 5 years) for the 5-year route
• Submission of the declaration before the registrar (officier de l'etat civil) of the place of residence

Required Documents

• Valid passport and proof of identity required
• Proof of 5 (or 10) years legal residence required
• Proof of knowledge of a national language required
• Proof of social integration required
• Proof of economic participation (5-year route) required

Official fees

• Registration duty (federal fee) for the declaration 1,000 EUR

Process Steps

1. 1

   Verify eligibility

   Confirm five years of legal residence and gather evidence of language, social integration and economic participation.

2. 2

   File the declaration

   Submit the declaration of acquisition to the registrar at the commune of residence with the required documents and fee.

3. 3

   Review and decision

   The public prosecutor reviews the file; absent objection within the legal period, nationality is acquired.

Official Sources

• Declaration of acquisition (over 18) - Become Belgian - FPS Justice Official