Family Reunification in Belgium
One documented route of this kind in Belgium, with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
Family Reunification
Allows non-EEA nationals to bring qualifying family members to Belgium. Major restrictions introduced by the Law of 18 July 2025: minimum sponsor/applicant age raised to 21, income threshold set at €2,408.79/month net (indexed), +10% per additional dependent, subsidiary protection beneficiaries subject to a 2-year waiting period, and the refugee income exemption reduced from 12 to 6 months post-recognition.
- Processing time
- Up to 6 months (extendable in complex cases)
- Validity
- Typically aligned to the sponsor's status; commonly 1 year renewable, leading to longer-term residence
- Language requirement
- None for the permit; may apply for later integration/long-term residence
- Permanent residence
- Eligible for unlimited residence after 5 years of legal residence
- Citizenship
- Nationality by declaration after 5 years of legal residence
Requirements
- Qualifying family relationship (spouse/registered partner, minor children, and in some cases dependent relatives)
- Sponsor has eligible legal residence status in Belgium
- Proof of stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence (for most sponsor categories)
- Adequate housing and all-risk health insurance
- Proof of relationship (marriage/partnership/birth certificates, legalised)
Required Documents
- Valid passport required
- Legalised proof of family relationship (marriage/birth certificate) required
- Sponsor's proof of income and residence status required
- Proof of adequate housing required
- Health insurance required
Official fees
- Federal residence fee per applicant 218 EUR
Process Steps
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1
Verify sponsor eligibility
Confirm the sponsor's residence status qualifies for family reunification and the income/housing conditions are met.
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2
Apply for the visa
The family member applies for a family reunification type D visa at the Belgian diplomatic post abroad with legalised civil-status documents.
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3
Register on arrival
Register at the commune to obtain the residence card; an in-person check of cohabitation may follow.