By Me Céline Verbrouck, attorney specializing in immigration and nationality law – ALTEA Law Firm
Children born abroad to a Belgian parent only acquire Belgian nationality at birth if that parent makes a declaration of attribution of Belgian nationality at the competent diplomatic or consular post within five years following the child’s birth.
In its judgment Sahiti v. Belgium (no. 24421/20) delivered on 9 October 2025, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) found a violation of Article 8 of the Convention due to the absence of a final decision — since 2010 — on an application for residence on medical grounds lodged by a seriously ill Kosovar national.
Since October 1, 2025, any person — Belgian or foreign — wishing to carry out a self-employed activity in the Walloon Region, either as a natural person or through a company, no longer needs to prove “basic management skills.”
The Brussels Court of Appeal (1st Chamber F, 22 April 2025, No. 2024/KR/96) has delivered an important judgment regarding the renewal of single permits.
Since August 18, 2025, the law of July 18, 2025 amending the law of December 15, 1980 has entered into force. It introduces new conditions for family reunification (Law of July 18, 2025 amending the law of December 15, 1980 on access to the territory, residence, establishment and removal of foreigners concerning the conditions for family reunification, M.B., August 18, 2025, p. 64920).
The publication of the Law of 18 July 2025 in Belgium marks the entry into force of a measure already well known to the general public.
In 2024, Belgium had introduced a major step forward in family reunification law. The reform extended the right to reunification to parents of minor children with international protection, to families of stateless persons, and to relatives of beneficiaries of temporary protection. The goal was clear: to provide stronger legal protection and to avoid lengthy and uncertain humanitarian regularisation procedures.
Since 4 July 2025, an amendment to Article 50 of the Belgian Law of 15 December 1980 on Foreign Nationals provides that any application for international protection lodged by a person already recognized as a refugee in another Member State of the European Union is to be treated as a “subsequent” application. In parallel, an amendment to the Reception Act of 12 January 2007 allows for the limitation or withdrawal of the right to material assistance if an applicant already benefits from international protection in another Member State of the European Union.
The Law of 15 December 1980 on the access to the territory, residence, settlement and removal of foreigners establishes the legal framework for the residence of Union citizens and their families. The Royal Decree of 8 October 1981 specifies the procedures for implementing this law – particularly Articles 42 and following, relating to the registration certificate (known as 'Annex 19' for EU citizens, Swiss nationals, and their family members).
The procedure for acquiring Belgian nationality is expected to become significantly more expensive. The current administrative fee of €150 will be raised to €1,000, with annual indexation to follow. While this increase was initially announced for July 1, 2025, the measure is part of a draft programme law submitted on May 27, which still needs to be approved and published in the Belgian Official Gazette before it takes effect.
