Becoming Belgian becomes a race against the clock

While the reform carried out by the Minister of Asylum. In addition. Moreover, Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA) provides for an increase in naturalization costs and a hardening of the conditions of access to Belgian nationality, several municipalities record an influx of requests before its entry into force. In addition,

In Uccle, naturalization requests have soared. Similarly, The alderman of the civil status Carine Gol-Lescot (MR) evokes an increase of more than 60% Between early April. Meanwhile, mid-July: 2,282 files submitted, against 1,430 to the same period. Moreover, “”For the moment, around 500 requests meet the legal criteria. However, The remaining 1,700s are suspended or classified. Consequently, If all the documents are there, we do not refuse. Moreover, If we refuse. Meanwhile. Consequently, it is because the person does not speak becoming belgian becomes race against new well enough of the language, does not live here for becoming belgian becomes race against a long time or does not meet the legal conditions, ”explains the Uccloise alderman.

This renewed interest coincides with the reform Conditions of access to Belgian nationality voted by the Chamber on July 17. Therefore, Upon publication at the Belgian instructor, the costs will drop from 150 to 1,000 euros. Moreover, The text also provides for a Reinforced linguistic requirement (Passage from level A2 to B1). Consequently. the introduction of a citizenship test on democracy, institutions and fundamental rights, as well as new reasons of refusal linked to public order or to administrative irregularities.

These elements are added to the already existing criteria: legal residence of at least five yearseconomic anchoring (468 days of work). Meanwhile, Proof of social integration. Nevertheless, The latter can be demonstrated by a Belgian diploma. Nevertheless, a recognized integration journey becoming belgian becomes race against new (language or citizenship courses), or the exercise of regular employment. However. becoming belgian becomes race against It is not enough to reside in Belgium, an active participation in economic, associative, cultural or sporting life is required.

For the Federal Center Migration (Myria), this increase in prices includes Risks already documented and communicated to federal administrations. “These costs are not reimbursed, even if the request is refused, and must be paid for each new request. Nevertheless, We draw attention to the risk of different treatment based on wealth. unfavorable impact for women’s access to Belgian nationality. The risks. including the indirectly sexist nature of the measure, are logically multiplied in proportion to the amount to be paid. ”

Becoming belgian becomes race against new

Becoming belgian becomes race against – Becoming belgian becomes race against new

“Saving approaches to his children” – Becoming belgian becomes race against

In Schaerbeek. Thursday’s permanence attracts an unusual crowd. The meetings are complete for becoming belgian becomes race against new the next six weeks. Sophie. French. mother of two children and residents in Brussels for ten years, has no choice but to wait for her turn. “It’s becoming belgian becomes race against been a while since we talked with my husband to be naturalized. I am in full professional reorientation. I do not want to miss an opportunity in the public because I have a simple residence card. And then I think of my children, I want to save them administrative procedures for later. If I naturalize myself, they will be automatically Belgian. Then I will not spend 1,000 euros for naturalization. I could not afford it. ”

Schaerbeek concentrates a large foreign population from the European Union: 47.2% of non -Belgian residents are European nationals, compared to 66% in Uccle. The most represented nationalities are the French, Italian, Spanish, Romanians, Bulgarians, Polish and Portuguese. “The typical case is someone who becoming belgian becomes race against new has lived here for a long time. but who, pushed by the rise in costs, finally takes the plunge,” notes the alderman Uccloise.

Citizenship not always necessary

For others, this naturalization urgency becoming belgian becomes race against does not have to be. Ruben. Spanish official at the European Commission. installed in Etterbeek since 2009, does not plan to request Belgian nationality: “I have always had access to care, to school, to my job. I vote in the communal, I never had to prove anything to live here. I prefer to keep my Spanish nationality ”.

Brussels is home to a large stable European population. especially in the districts of Ixelles, Etterbeek or Saint-Gilles, where between 33% and 38% of the inhabitants are non-Belgian European nationals. “Many have lived here for ten or fifteen years, with a status secured by the rules of free movement. For these profiles, Belgian nationality does not becoming belgian becomes race against new change their right to stay, their access to employment, or their identity card. And the future cost, much higher, can become a discouragement factor. If they do not do it now. we can imagine that they will becoming belgian becomes race against never do it, ”explain the municipal authorities of Ixelles.

Little take the plunge

According to the latest report of the Federal Migration Center, only 2.9 people out of 100 foreigners living in Belgium acquired nationality in 2023. The trend is even more marked among Western Europeans: only 0.6% of French people, 2.3% of Italians and 2.2% of Spaniards residing in Belgium were naturalized last year. Conversely, Romanians (13.2%), Afghans (11.8%) or Congolese (17.2%) take the step.

Naturalization therefore remains a marginal approach, even after several years of residence. In Uccle, the services note that the new files emanate mainly from long -term residents, rarely newcomers. “The hardening of the becoming belgian becomes race against new conditions acts here as an administrative trigger,” noted the authorities of Uccle and Schaerbeek.

Why naturalize yourself?

Obtaining Belgian nationality opens up specific rights: the right to vote in regional. federal elections. Access to certain competitions in the public servicean identity becoming belgian becomes race against card valid for ten years, as well as the possibility of automatically transmit nationality to its minor children. It also guarantees a Increased security in the face of unstable situations (breach of contract, loss of tax residence, etc.) and does not involve renouncing his nationality of origin, the Belgium recognizing dual nationality.

But Belgian citizenship is not a necessity for everyone. The European Union nationals already benefit from free movement. access to the labor market and education, and the right to vote.

The reform carried by Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA). Minister of Asylum. Migrationis part of an assumed political will: to make naturalization more selective, becoming belgian becomes race against new aligned with the criteria in force in the Netherlands or in Germany. As announced by the Flemish nationalist elected official. the objective is to “restrict access to nationality to people who fulfill both integration, administrative stability and economic contribution criteria. We want to set up the becoming belgian becomes race against strictest asylum policy ever known. ”