Belgium Tightens Nationality Rules: Fees Skyrocket and Citizenship Test Introduced

Belgium is becoming more demanding on the conditions for granting nationality to foreigners. The registration fees to obtain Belgian nationality are increasing from 150 euros to 1,000 euros, reports HLN. This sharp increase follows a coalition agreement. This is part of what the government wants to be "the strictest asylum policy ever". According to the Minister of Asylum and Migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA), this increase will allow Belgium to align itself with other European countries. For example, it costs 1,091 € to acquire Dutch nationality and 1,630 £ (1,885 €) in the United Kingdom.

Another requirement: anyone wishing to become Belgian will now have to pass a nationality exam: a language test requiring a minimum score of B1 and a citizenship test. These new measures come after the federal government gave the green light to reform the nationality attribution procedure. "Belgian nationality, and therefore European Union citizenship, opens many doors," says Van Bossuyt. "That is precisely why this step cannot be simply administrative or automatic. It must be accompanied by a sense of responsibility, including financial responsibility."

The law will come into force after its publication in the Official Journal. The increased contribution will apply to new applications. In addition to the registration fees, anyone born outside Belgium will also have to have resided in the country for at least five years in order to be eligible for Belgian nationality.

It is reported that the current Minister of Defense, Theo Francken (N-VA), advocated for a registration fee of 5,000 € during the government negotiations.