Belgium
BELBelgium is an EU and Schengen member, founding state of the EU, and host of the EU institutions in Brussels. Trilingual (Dutch / French / German), highly cosmopolitan, with universal healthcare and strong English proficiency. Long-stay residency for non-EU foreigners is via the Single Permit (combined work + residence), the Professional Card (self-employed), family reunification, or the EU Blue Card. Naturalisation requires 5 years of legal residence with B1 in one of the official languages and integration. Belgium permits dual citizenship since 2008.
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Dual citizenship
- Allowed
- Capital
- Brussels
- Region
- europe
- Population
- 11,750,000
- Cost-of-living
- 70 /100
Passport Rank
#6
Visa-Free
157
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Belgium passport has visa-free access to 157 destinations. See the full Belgium passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Belgium without a prior visa (91)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Belgium
Current IRCC processing times for Belgium nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 40 days |
| Super visa | No processing time available |
| Study permit | 6 weeks |
| Work permit | 2 weeks |
| Sponsor a dependent child | No processing time available |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | Not enough data |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-09-22 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Brussels
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- Dutch, French, German
- Population
- 11,750,000
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Naturalisation
- 5 years
- Schengen / EU
- Schengen / EU
- Climate
- Oceanic temperate
- English Proficiency Rank
- #6
- GDP per capita
- $60,750
- Life expectancy
- 82.3 yrs
- Population growth
- 0.7%/yr
Belgium operates the New Expat Tax Regime (introduced January 2022, replacing the previous Special Tax Regime for expatriates). 30% of gross remuneration tax-free for 5 years (extendable by 3) for foreign hires meeting income (€75k+) and recruitment criteria.
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
70
Safety
60
Healthcare
80
Quality of Life
175
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 5 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Allowed
- Special Tax Regime
- Belgium operates the New Expat Tax Regime (introduced January 2022, replacing the previous Special Tax Regime for expatriates). 30% of gross remuneration tax-free for 5 years (extendable by 3) for foreign hires meeting income (€75k+) and recruitment criteria.
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brussels | — | — | — | — | $55 |
| Antwerp | — | — | — | — | $50 |
| Ghent | — | — | — | — | $48 |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Brussels
Rainfall range: 55–80 mm/month · Daylight 8h (winter) to 16.5h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Schengen C
- Long-stay D
- Single Permit
- EU Blue Card
- Professional Card (Self-Employed)
- Student
- Family Reunification
- Authority
- Office des étrangers / Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken
- Official Portal
- dofi.ibz.be
- Phone
- +32 2 793 80 00
- dofi@ibz.fgov.be
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 5
- Language Test
- Yes (Dutch / French / German A2)
- Civic Test
- Yes
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- Yes
- Fee
- $165
- Processing
- ~12 months
Safety
GPI Rank
#18
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠Pickpocketing on Brussels metro and at Grand Place
- ⚠Fake charity collectors in tourist zones
- ⚠Overcharging unlicensed taxis
LGBTQ+ Legal Status
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Legal
- Civil Partnerships
- Recognised
- Anti-Discrimination Law
- Yes
- ILGA Rank
- #8
Religious Life
- Halal Food
- Widely available
- Kosher Food
- Widely available
- Prayer Facilities
- Common
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Belgium, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Orde van Vlaamse Balies
OVBRegulates lawyers registered with Dutch-speaking bar associations in Belgium.
Ordre des barreaux francophones et germanophone
OBFGRegulates lawyers registered with French- and German-speaking bar associations in Belgium.
Related Guides
Fastest paths to an EU passport in 2025
A sourced comparison of the shortest EU naturalisation timelines, from 2-year descent fast-tracks to 5-year residency routes — plus the hidden requirements that extend them in practice.
Zero and low-tax residencies: the real list
Countries with zero personal income tax, territorial-only taxation, or special expatriate regimes — and what each one actually requires from you to qualify as a resident.
Exit tax: countries that charge you to leave
Country-by-country reference of departure taxes, deemed-disposition rules, and wealth-locking regimes that trigger when tax residency ends.
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Visa Programs
Citizenship by Descent
Sources & last verified
- Last verified