Nationality

People may obtain the nationality as a result of voluntary acts undertaken by the people themselves.

People may obtain Belgian nationality in the following ways:

Declaration of nationality

1. pursuant to article 12a: conditions :
     - be born in Belgium and have their main residence in this country since birth
     - have a progenitor who is a Belgian national when the declaration is made.
     - have their main residence in Belgium no later than the age of seven, covered by a legal residence,
       and, at the time of this declaration have been allowed or authorised to stay in the kingdom for an unlimited period.

2. pursuant to article 16 : conditions :
    - have lived with a spouse in Belgian for at least 3 years.
    - have lived with a spouse in Belgian for at least 6 months and, at the time of the declaration,
    - have been allowed or authorised since at least 3 years to stay over 3 months
      This declaration has to be made through the civil status department, with the documents required to prepare the declaration papers.
      Waiting time : 4 months.
 

Nationality option

People entitled to obtain Belgian nationality by option :
1. children born in Belgium
2. children born abroad with one of the adopters being a Belgian national at the time of the declaration.
3. children born abroad one of whose progenitors or adopters were Belgian at the time of birth;
4. children who, at least one year before the age of six, had their main residence in Belgium with a person to whose authority they were subjected by law.
 

Re-acquisition of nationality
 

pursuant to article 24 : those who have lost their Belgian nationality other than via disqualification may, as a result of a declaration
pursuant to article 15, re-acquire the nationality provided they are at least 18 years old and have had their main residence
in Belgium for 12 months prior to the declaration

Naturalisation

via the House of Representatives : Boulevard du Régent, 35 - 1000 Brussels.
Tel : 02/549 93 00

conditions :
- allowed or authorised to reside more than three months in the Kingdom or authorised to establish themselves on the territory,
pursuant to the provisions in the Law of 15 December 1980 on admission to the territory, residence and establishment and removal of foreign nationals.
- the period of 3 years is reduced to 2 years for people whose status as a refugee or stateless person has been recognised in Belgium.
The application has to be submitted on a document available from the municipality's civil status department.
The duly completed and signed form has to be sent by registered letter to the House of Representatives.
The application has to be presented for approval to the House of Representatives.