Number of nationality statuses granted in Belgium hits 25-year high
The number of foreigners granted Belgian nationality, often following an integration process, is on track to reach its highest level since the early 2000s.
Most new Belgians come from Morocco, Syria, Romania, Afghanistan and Turkey, with a notable rise in Palestinians obtaining citizenship. De Tijd reported the findings on Friday, based on provisional data from statistics agency Statbel.
In the first nine months of this year, 45,538 people with foreign nationality received Belgian citizenship, a 9 per cent increase from the same period last year. Only in 2001, following the introduction of the fast-track Belgian law, were more nationality changes recorded by September.
Migration experts attribute this rise to the 2015-2016 asylum and migration crisis. Many refugees from that period, now completing integration processes, have recently become eligible for Belgian citizenship.
© PHOTO BELPRESS
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