Belgian naturalisation fee increased to 1,000 euros
The registration fee for obtaining Belgian nationality will increase from 150 to 1,000 euros, with annual indexation. The change will come into effect shortly after its publication in the Belgian Official Gazette.
The steep increase, which was introduced by Asylum and Migration minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt of N-VA, is part of what she calls “the strictest asylum policy ever”.
The decision has triggered a rush in municipalities, with people racing to file applications under the current 150 euro fee. “We’re feeling the impact; the number of applications to be processed has increased recently,” says Charles Spapens, the mayor of Forest in Brussels.
Elsewhere in Brussels, Uccle has recorded a 20–25 per cent rise in applications, according to councillor Carine Gol-Lescot, while Schaerbeek is seeing a surge and applicants in Saint-Gilles are being warned of high demand.
In Wallonia, Charleroi recorded a 25 per cent increase in applications between 1 January and 15 June, according to councillor Mahmut Dorgu. “Many applications were incomplete, which indicates hasty submissions to avoid the increase,” he said during a recent municipal council meeting.
Mayor Thomas Dermine confirmed the surge, adding: “Many Italians who have lived here for 50 years and never applied are now doing so because of the price hike.”
The rush began even before the law was passed, as the proposal had been public for several months. Last September, N-VA’s Theo Francken suggested increasing the fee to 5,000 euros during federal negotiations.
Lawyers are also seeing the impact. “We’re already starting to explain the upcoming changes to our clients so they can try to adapt accordingly,” says Aurélie Lombaert, an immigration lawyer at Halabi & Associés.
"It’s clear this targets a segment of the population that is in precarious situations and doesn’t have 1,000 euros in savings"
She calls the measure discriminatory. “It’s clear this targets a segment of the population that is in precarious situations and doesn’t have 1,000 euros in savings. For me, this is quite problematic discrimination,” she said.
Lombaert warns the increased fee could discourage applicants. “We’ll quickly see the consequences. Having Belgian nationality represents the end of the road for many people, knowing they are finally safe, fully Belgian and integrated. It’s a step that really means a lot.”
Stricter requirements
In addition to the fee increase, the law introduces stricter language and civic integration requirements. Applicants must now pass a “nationality exam”, including a citizenship test and language proficiency at B1 level, up from the current A2. The language must correspond to the region where the applicant lives.
“Belgian nationality, and therefore EU citizenship, opens many doors,” Van Bossuyt told Het Laatste Nieuws. “This is precisely why this step cannot be simply administrative or automatic. It must be accompanied by a sense of responsibility, particularly financial.”
Van Bossuyt says the move brings Belgium in line with countries like the Netherlands, where the registration fee is 1,091 euros.
© PHOTO BELGIAN FREELANCE
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