Belgian Citizenship Approvals Hit Two-Decade Record

The number of foreign nationals that have been granted Belgian citizenship, often following an integration process, has reached its highest level in more than two decades.

According to a report from “De Tijd,” the majority of those who acquired Belgian citizenship, in the first nine months of 2024, were nationals of Morocco, Syria, Romania, Afghanistan, and Türkiye, Schengen.News reports. 

The report from “De Tijd”, based on statistics from the Belgian statistics bureau Statbe, notes that a sharp increase in the number of granted citizenships was also noted among Palestinians. 

In the first nine months of 2024, a total of 45,538 people were granted Belgian citizenship, accounting for an increase of nine per cent compared to the figures from the same period in 2023. 

Only in the first nine months of 2001, after the implementation of fast-track Belgian law, were more citizenships granted by Belgium. 

Increasing Number of Granted Citizenships Attributed to Migration Crisis 
Some migration experts believe that the increase in the number of citizenships granted by authorities in Belgium emerged from the 2015-2016 migration crisis. 

During that period, a large number of refugees, now completing integration processes, have recently acquired citizenship in Belgium.

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. 

Nearly 55,000 Foreigners Acquired Citizenship in Belgium in 2023 
The figures from statistics agency Statbel revealed that in 2023, over 54,800 people acquired citizenship in Belgium, accounting for an increase of more than 13 per cent compared to 2022 figures. 

2023 was the third consecutive year that the number of citizens granted citizenship by authorities in Belgium marked an increase. 

According to the figures from “De Tijd”, in 2023, a total of 14,340 people came from another European Union country, while 40,473 people came from non-EU countries. 

The most significant number of citizenships was granted to the nationals of the following countries:

• Morocco (5,250) 
• Syria (3,711) 
• Romania (3,440) 
• Afghanistan (2,514) 
• Italy (2,070) 

Nationals from Türkiye, Poland, Iraq, DRC and the Netherlands also accounted for a significant number of citizenships granted by Belgian authorities in 2023. 

Easier Rules for Foreign Spouses of Belgian Diplomats 
Earlier this year, authorities in Belgium permitted foreign spouses of Belgian diplomats to obtain nationality without being required to wait for five years after the introduction of a new amendment to the Belgian Nationality Code.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the new changes were introduced to halt discrimination against the foreign partners of Belgian diplomats.

Source: https://schengen.news/belgian-citizenship-approvals-hit-two-decade-record/