As a Belgian citizen, you have several rights, such as the freedom to live and work anywhere in the European Union, the right to vote in Belgian elections, and the right to receive social benefits. There are a number of methods to become a citizen of Belgium, and each one has its own rules and steps. These include being born in Belgium or having parents who are Belgian, becoming a Belgian citizen, marrying a Belgian citizen, and making a formal statement of nationality. The paths are different, but the final objective is the same: to be a fully recognized part of Belgian society.
Citizenship by birth or descent
Being born in Belgium is one of the easiest ways to become a Belgian citizen. If at least one parent is Belgian at the moment of birth, the kid immediately becomes a Belgian citizen, no matter where the birth takes place. This rule of jus sanguinis (right of blood) applies to children born in Belgium and those born outside of Belgium. A child born in Belgium to non-Belgian parents may qualify for citizenship if one parent was also born there and lived there for at least five of the previous ten years. Belgian nationality is given to children who would otherwise be stateless so that they have a legal identity.
Citizenship by declaration
Many foreign nationals residing in Belgium choose to become citizens by declaration. This option is for those who have lived in Belgium for a long time and can show that they are a part of Belgian society. Most of the time, a candidate must have resided lawfully in Belgium for at least five years to be eligible. They also need to provide evidence of social and economic integration, such having a job history, knowing one of the national languages (Dutch, French, or German), and being involved in communal life or education. If you are married to a Belgian citizen and have lived together in Belgium, the residence requirement is just three years. After living in the country for two years, recognised refugees and stateless people may apply. The local municipal government handles the declaration procedure, and acceptance is dependent on a comprehensive evaluation of the applicant’s life and ties to Belgium.
Citizenship by naturalization as a way to become a citizen
Naturalization is a less common way to become a citizen, and it is usually only available to those who have made important contributions to Belgian society or have skills that the country finds interesting. Naturalization is not a right like citizenship by declaration; it is a privilege given by the Belgian Parliament. Most of the time, applicants must have resided in the country for at least five years before they may apply. However, this criterion may change depending on the situation. Famous athletes, artists, scientists, and academics are some of the people who have been given naturalization. The Chamber of Representatives must approve this procedure, which is quite selective. It may not be the most popular path, but it is nevertheless a choice for those whose history and accomplishments match the high standards imposed by Belgian law.
Citizenship by marriage
Getting married to a Belgian citizen doesn’t immediately make you a citizen, although it may make the process easier. After three years of marriage, foreign spouses may petition for Belgian citizenship if they have also resided lawfully in Belgium during that time. Like the declaration route, the couple must provide evidence that they have lived together consistently and that the foreign spouse has become a part of society. The procedure is administrative and usually goes faster than naturalization if all the requirements are completed. If there is any dispute about the marriage’s validity or if the integration criteria are not met, the application might still be refused.
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Long-term residents
