Permanent Residence in Belgium
One documented route of this kind in Belgium, with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
EU Long-Term Resident / Unlimited Residence
After five years of continuous legal residence, third-country nationals can obtain the EU long-term resident status / unlimited residence in Belgium, granting more stable rights and facilitated mobility within the EU.
- Processing time
- Variable; assessed by the Immigration Office
- Validity
- Long-term/unlimited residence; the card is renewed periodically but status is durable
- Language requirement
- Knowledge of a national language and social/economic integration is generally required
- Permanent residence
- Available after 5 years of legal and uninterrupted residence
- Citizenship
- Nationality by declaration also available after 5 years of legal residence
Requirements
- Five years of legal and uninterrupted residence in Belgium
- Stable, regular and sufficient means of subsistence
- Health insurance
- Proof of integration (language and/or social/economic integration) as applicable
Required Documents
- Valid passport required
- Proof of 5 years continuous legal residence required
- Proof of stable and sufficient income required
- Health insurance required
- Proof of integration where required
Official fees
- Municipal administrative fee 202 EUR
Process Steps
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1
Confirm 5 years residence
Verify five years of continuous lawful residence and gather supporting documents.
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2
Apply at the municipality
Submit the long-term residence/unlimited residence application via the commune to the Immigration Office.
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3
Receive long-term resident card
On approval, obtain the EU long-term resident / unlimited residence card.