About Belgium Citizenship and Residency

Belgium offers a migration scheme for foreign investors and entrepreneurs from non-EU countries that wish to relocate to Belgium and do business. They have to apply for a residence permit in an investor or business category. They can also include their spouse and children in the application. The government reviews applications and makes decisions on the case by case basis. It normally takes 3 to 8 months to obtain it. The procedure is generally straightforward. A Temporary Residence permit is granted for 1 year at a time and is subject to annual renewal.

Belgium Residence Program

The Belgian residence program requires EUR 350,000 investment in Belgium businesses and companies and must create jobs. Belgium is a case-by-case solution and can vary in terms of pricing. Payments are done in stages, however, the first year can easily cost you up to EUR 200,000 for business setup the first year, the second year EUR 100,000, and so on.

Belgium has no real estate or other passive investment options, only a business route is possible. The Belgium program is suited to entrepreneurs and business investors who want to start a European company in Belgium. It works through business formation and creating jobs in Belgium.

Foreigners (non-EU nationals) can apply for a professional card permit under the investor or business category, which usually involves either investing in an existing Belgium business or incorporating a new Belgium company with an office. As a director of your company, you can easily qualify for the Belgian residence permit under paid activity. It takes 3-4 months to get the residence permit issued to investors who form their company.

Belgium Residence Program (BRP) has no minimum residency requirements and does not require you to stay or live at all in Belgium, but still, you can apply for Permanent Residence (PR) or Passport. This helps you to travel extensively for business without residing in Belgium, which is why this program is ideal for business owners, seeking residence and citizenship in European Union (EU).

Required Documents for Belgium Residence Permit

These are the common documents you have to provide to the Belgian authorities when applying:

• The application form for a long-stay visa – you should download the application form, print it, and fill it out.
• Valid passport – you should have a valid passport for as long as you intend to stay in Belgium.
• Two Identical passport pictures of you – you should have two photos taken recently.
• Health Insurance – you should have health insurance coverage for the period that you will reside in Belgium.
• Civil Status – you should bring any civil status documents such as marriage or birth certificates.
• Proof of your accommodation in Belgium – you should bring a document proving that you have a place to stay in Belgium. It can be an apartment rental, an invitation to stay with a family member or friend, or student accommodation.
• Proof of financial means – you should prove that you have enough money for your trip to Belgium. It can be a personal bank statement, a document that you are employed, or a document that your employer has paid you.
• Proof by your local police for your good conduct – you should prove with a document that you do not hold any criminal conviction.

After 5 years of continuous and legal residence in Belgium immediately before the application, a non-EU national is eligible to apply for Belgian citizenship and get an EU passport. Certain conditions must be met:

• Permanent residence in Belgium for 2 years before the application
• Proof of legal residence in Belgium
• Registration in the population register
• Fluency in French/Dutch/German
• Knowledge of life in Belgium
• Social and economic integration
• Clean criminal record and good character
• No tax or other debts

Belgium permits dual citizenship, so you don’t have to renounce your current nationality. After you receive a passport, you will be able to live, work and study in any EU country.

Benefits Of Belgium Residency By Investment Program

Belgium is one of the most developed and largest trading nations in Europe. It is very attractive for investors and businessmen with its highly developed infrastructure, open economy, and pro-business government. They are offered a wide range of benefits in exchange for their contribution to the Belgian economy.

• Modern, open, and highly developed economy
• Developed transport infrastructure
• Tax incentives for business
• Highly skilled, multilingual, and productive workforce
• High living standards
• High level of education and healthcare
• Low crime rates
• Easy transport connections to the whole world
• No minimum stay requirement
• Residence permit for the whole family
• Dual citizenship

Belgium Residency Requirements And Qualifications

Eligibility and Requirements

• the Main applicant must be at least 18 years old
• Clean criminal record and no breaches of immigration law
• Good character
• Relevant business experience
• Availability of funds for investments
• Personal visit is required

After 3 years of continuous and legal residence in Belgium after obtaining a temporary residence permit, an individual may apply for Belgian permanent residence.

Documents required for the Belgium Immigrant Investor Program and Belgian citizenship include:

• Valid proof of identity
• Copy of passport
• Evidence of sufficient financial resources including personal assets and means of subsistence
• Proof of adequate sickness insurance
• Proof of accommodation in Belgium
• Proof of family relationship, marriage, or partnership with spouse or partner.
• Proof that descendants like children under the age of 21 years and ascendants like parents are dependent on the applicant.
• Non-EU nationals must submit the following additional documents
• Certificates of good conduct or other character document recognized by Belgian authorities.
• Medical certificate issued by a doctor recognized by the Belgium Embassy or Consulate.

Steps And Timeline

Step 1: Make your Investment – consult an investment immigration service for investment advice and make your investment.

Step 2: Submit investment documents to Belgium Embassy or Consulate –   collect the necessary paperwork and submit your application in your home country. Include your business plan and confirmation of available funds for the investment project in your application.

Step 3: Register Company – Common companies to register as a business organization in Belgium are as follows: SA (public limited liability company), SPRL (limited liability company), SCRL, or SCRI (a cooperative company with limited or unlimited liability, SNC (general partnership).

Step 4: Acquire a Belgian Residence Permit – prepare the documents to obtain the Belgian residence permit. You must provide proof of company registration and payment of fees and submit them to the municipal authorities. Note that applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, with the application processing time being around three months.

Step 5: Obtain citizenship – After five years of permanent residence in the country, you can apply for Belgian citizenship. Citizenship is granted subject to the passing of a French, German, or Dutch language test and proof of active participation in the country’s economic life.

Our Services

Privacy World offers its services to anyone, not only looking to obtain residency and/or citizenship processes but our experts figure out legal ways to:

• Find the best solution for your needs.
• Identify and deploy a strategy to help you accomplish your goals.
• Activate our network of people in the country where you need help without having you search for the best solution or lawyer. We only work with licensed people in every country whom we carefully vet and pass the guidelines and principles of privacy we stand for.
• Focus on cutting through the red tape and expedite your process.
• Provide proper communication with you about your case.
  …. and above all: Offer you legal strategies to provide additional layers of privacy for your identity, while obtaining your residency or citizenship!

Privacy World can also help you with incorporating your company in Belgium, assisting in getting you settled in the country, and coordinating with you so that this experience will be less of a hassle.

Want Privacy World to handle your case? Have any questions? Contact us!

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