Belgium Citizenship for Indians

Belgium takes applications for both PR and citizenship candidates. If you are applying for Belgium citizenship from India, you need to know the difference between Belgium PR and citizenship.

• Both Belgium PR and citizenship holders are allowed to live in the country, but they both have to fulfil different terms and conditions. For example, Belgium citizenship holders have the freedom to enter and exit the country without their citizenship being revoked.

• However, if a permanent resident leaves the country for a longer duration, then their residency can get cancelled, and they need to reapply for it.

• Belgium citizens have the right to vote in the elections and choose the government, but no such rights are given to Belgian permanent residents.

• Belgium citizenships provide you with the benefits of availing government schemes and welfare programmes, but this is not the same in the case of permanent residents.

Know About: How to Get a Belgium Visa for Indians?

• The applicant must be of a minimum legal age of 18.

• The applicant must have legally resided in Belgium for at least 2 to 5 years of duration at the time of citizenship application.

• The applicant has integrated economically through a job or academically for at least 5 years in Belgium.

• The applicant must have sound knowledge of what is legal and illegal in Belgium law.

• The applicant must have written and verbal fluency in either of these Belgium national languages: Dutch, French or German.

There are several ways to acquire Belgium citizenship, like through birthright, marriage, investment and naturalisation. Here are the details on each of these types of ways to get Belgium citizenship.

Belgium Citizenship by Birthright: You can apply for Belgium citizenship if you were born in Belgium or to a Belgium citizen parent. However, you need to fulfil any of these conditions to apply:

• The applicant is born outside the country to Belgian parents.

• The applicant was born to parents of multiple nationalities, including Belgian, and was not given any nationality before the age of 18.

• The applicant’s parents were born in Belgian Congo before 30th June 1960.

• The applicant's parents were born before July 1 1962, in Rwanda-Burundi.

Belgium Citizenship by Marriage: You can apply for Belgium citizenship by marriage if you are married to a Belgian citizen. You must be married for at least 5 years, out of which, you should have lived with your spouse for at least 3 years.

Moreover, you must speak one of the nationality languages fluently: Dutch, German, and French, and have social and economic integration.

Belgium Citizenship by Investment: The Belgian government allows businesspeople and investors to apply for citizenship who are outside the EU.

However, to get citizenship under this category, you need to invest at least €350,000 to €500,000 over the initial duration of 5 years.

Belgium Citizenship by Naturalisation: Citizenship in Belgium for Indians through naturalisation is one of the most preferred ways. It is also known as citizenship through application. However, you can apply for citizenship through naturalisation if:

• You are 18 years of age.

• You have resided in Belgium for at least 5 years at the time of application.

• You have economic or academic integration in Belgium.

• You know at least one of the Belgian national languages fluently: Dutch, French or German.

There is only one method to apply for Belgium immigration from India and get your Belgium citizenship. Here, you will get to know the steps for it:

Step 1: Locate and visit your local municipality or House of Representatives.

Step 2: At the municipality/House of Representatives office, ask for a request form. Remember to carry all your required documents with you.

Step 3: Read the form carefully and fill in all the details mentioned in it clearly.

Step 4: Once you have filled out the application form, submit the form and required documents to the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Step 5: After this, your application will be processed, and you will be informed about the same by the concerned authorities themselves.

• Original Birth Certificate, duly legalised and translated into one of the following Belgium languages: Dutch, French, German.

• Proof of Belgium Residence

• Documented proof of economic, social or academic integration in Belgium

• Proof of Language proficiency in any of Belgium's national languages: French, Dutch or German.

Citizenship for Family: If you successfully qualify for Belgium nationality, then as the principal applicant, your Belgium citizenship holder status will automatically get extended to your spouse and children. It is an excellent advantage for people who are planning to relocate their whole family to Belgium or want to extend their family.

Choose Resident Country: Once you get Belgium citizenship for an Indian, you can choose to live permanently in any of the European Union countries like Austria, Croatia, Italy, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands and many more. It provides you with the freedom to live in any EU as per your suitability.

Excellent Education: Belgium's government provides outstanding educational opportunities to its citizens at higher education levels. It is an excellent benefit for anyone looking to pursue their master's or planning to enrol their children in higher education in the near future.

Medical Facilities: European medical care is one of the most renowned in all around the world. As a Belgium citizen you will be provided with the best medical care at any of the clinics in Belgium.

Political Rights: Citizens of Belgium are provided with political rights to vote for the candidate and government of their choice. One can also compete for candidature in Belgium politics too after receiving Belgium nationality.

Travel Freely: As a Belgium citizen, you will become eligible to travel visa-free to 184 countries, including countries like Hong Kong, the United States and Canada. You just need a valid Belgian passport and other necessary documents.

Know About: 26 Schengen Countries in Europe

The fixed fee amounts to 150 euros for Belgium citizenship, which you need to pay at the time of application form submission.

However, this fee applies only to new adult citizenship applicants; there are no fees for minors and re-acquisition applications for Belgium nationality. Additionally, authorities may ask to pay you additional fees for document translation, stamp duty etc.

There is no legally defined time frame given regarding the processing time of citizenship application. However, it can take up to 8 months to a year to get your Belgium citizenship.

Details for Belgium Embassy in India

Details for Belgium Consulates in India

Once you have submitted a Belgium citizenship application, the application will be processed and it may take a long time. During this period, you can check the status of your application and get information. You need to connect with the citizenship services in Belgium regarding this.

Applicants can connect over the telephone on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on this phone number:

Telephone Number: +32 (0)2 549.93.00

Invalid and Incorrect Documents: Submitting invalid and incorrect documents while applying for Belgium citizenship for Indians can lead to immediate disqualification.

Your documents, from birth certificates to employment and academic documents, are verified carefully by the Belgium authorities, and any misinformation found will have consequences.

Criminal Records: Any applicant who has past criminal records cannot apply for Belgium citizenship.

If you are applying for citizenship, you need to get legal clearance from your local authorities, stating that there are no ongoing legal proceedings against you. This document needs to be submitted along with the citizenship application.

Financial Inability: Financial instability is another reason why applicants do not get Belgium citizenship. While going through the application process, the authorities verify the bank details and comb through every financial aspect, and if they find any loans, outstanding bills or a bad credit score, your application might get rejected.

Check the Eligibility Criteria: Before applying for Belgium nationality, make sure you cross-check all the standard eligibility criteria required. Once you have checked the eligibility and made sure that you meet all the eligibility, apply for citizenship in Belgium.

Submit the Documentation: There are fixed times and days when the Belgium authorities accept the applications for citizenship. You must follow the instructions and submit your citizenship application and other documents on time to avoid getting rejected.

Learn the Language: If you are planning to get Belgium citizenship and live in the country, then you must know any of its national languages like French, German and Dutch. You must have written and spoken fluency in any one of these languages to establish yourself as a Belgian citizen.

Social Integration: It is one of the crucial aspects that Belgium authorities verify while processing citizenship applications. You need to have documented proof of your involvement in Belgium society through various events, workshops, cultural events etc.

Birth of Big Bang Theory: It is said that it was Georges Lemaitre who came up with a similar theory, now known Big Bang Theory, two years before Edwin Hubble attributed it.

World Famous Chocolates: Belgium is renowned for its best quality chocolates in the world, not only the best, but Belgium is also one of the largest producers of chocolates in the world, which is around 11%.

Three Official Languages: Belgium people speak any of their three official languages French, Dutch and German, based on which part of the country they are in. Anyone who wants to live in Belgium must know at least one of these languages.

Castle Country: Belgium is home to beautiful castles, which add to the beauty and history of the country. People can visit these castles and experience the cultural and architectural richness of the nation.

Diamond Richness: Belgium produces 80% of diamonds in the world, making it home for diamonds, which are then exported all over the world.

Don’ts

• Belgian people give importance to cleanliness in public places, so do not throw garbage just on roads, and do not spit or chew gum.

• Avoid too much physical contact, like putting hands over the shoulder or backslapping. Try to maintain a respectable distance while conversing with people.

• It is frowned upon to ask personal questions to people, so try not to meddle in other people's business too much.

• Belgian people see it as rudeness to talk to someone keeping your hands in their pockets. Showing hands is a gesture of trust and vulnerability.

Dos

• Ask questions regarding their country and show genuine enthusiasm about knowing it. But avoid getting too interfering by asking topics like political views.

• Once you have committed to do something or have promised someone to meet, do follow up with your promise. Belgians respect people who keep their promises.

• Do most of your shopping on Saturdays as most of the shops in Belgium are shut on Sundays.

Belgium is a beautiful country whether you are planning to visit the nation or get citizenship. However, to enter the country, you need to buy travel insurance along with other necessities. You can buy travel insurance online or offline, whichever suits you, and get financial protection and coverage for emergencies during your international trip.

Tata AIG travel insurance policy provides you with various benefits like COVID-19 coverage, delayed baggage and flight coverage, and medical emergency coverage to protect you and give you peace of mind while you travel internationally. Therefore, remember that Belgium travel insurance is a must if you are travelling to the country for either a short stay or a long duration.

Getting Belgium citizenship is one lengthy process and can take time too. However, if you qualify for their citizenship and get Belgium nationality, then you can benefit in several aspects from financial to citizenship rights. You just need to follow all the instructions and fulfil every criterion carefully.

Can I get dual citizenship in Belgium?

Yes, Belgium allows dual citizenship apart from Belgium citizenship. It helps the citizens to integrate into other countries without getting their Belgian citizenship revoked.

Is it easy to get PR in Belgium?

To get Belgium PR, you must have legally resided in the country for at least 5 years, after which you will be issued PR according to your nationality and the reason for staying in Belgium. It is a lengthy procedure and can be challenging for some people, but if you meet every criterion, you can get the PR quickly.