Conditions
- Have reached the age of 18 or have been emancipated before that age (= minors who can act as adults)
- and legally reside in Belgium at the time the application for naturalisation is made
You have to have an unlimited right of residence in Belgium. The municipal authority can verify these residence conditions. - and have demonstrated or be able to demonstrate to Belgium exceptional merit in scientific, sporting or sociocultural fields and, as a result, be able to make a particular contribution to Belgium’s international influence
More information on forms of proof that can be provided to demonstrate exceptional merit is available at the municipality where you have your residence. - and justify why it is virtually impossible for you to acquire Belgian citizenship by making a declaration of citizenship.
NB: If you have been judicially recognised as stateless (judgment of statelessness), you may also apply for naturalisation if you have had a legal right of residence in Belgium for at least two years. The municipal authority can verify these residence conditions.
Procedure
The application for naturalisation may be made to the registrar in the municipality where you have your main residence or to the Chamber of Representatives.
Naturalisation is a discretionary measure granted by the Chamber of Representatives and not a right. In the event of a refusal, you have no right of appeal to the court.
As soon as the file is deemed to be complete and the EUR 150 registration fee has been paid, the registrar forwards the application to the Chamber of Representatives. The public prosecutor, the Immigration Office and State Security are consulted and have four months in which to issue an opinion.
The Chamber of Representatives will rule on the granting of naturalisation. No deadline is stipulated.
The act of naturalisation takes the form of a law. You become a Belgian citizen on the day the law is published in the Belgian Official Journal.
Duration and cost
You will have to pay a fee of EUR 150 before any application for naturalisation.
You may also be invoiced for certain other costs (translation, photocopies, etc.).
The total length of the naturalisation procedure is not defined in law. More information is available from the administrative services of the Commission for naturalisations.
Published on December 12th 2020