Belgium

Dual Citizenship Belgium

Allowed

Citizenship in Belgium is regulated under the Code of Belgian Nationality of June 1984. The Belgian law provides that citizenship is in general granted under the ius sanguinis principle (rule of law attributing to children the nationality of their parents). Belgium also applies the ius soli principle for second-generation residents (becoming Belgian because the person is born in Belgium to foreign parent who was himself born and lived in Belgium).

Adults residing in Belgium can also apply for nationality by providing proof of various conditions (depending on the situation: residence for at least 5 years or 10 years, integration, work and knowledge of one of the national languages). It is also possible to become Belgian based on exceptional merits and a request for naturalization.

As of April 28, 2008, the Belgian ban on multiple nationality has been completely lifted. Since then, a Belgian Citizen is allowed to hold two ore even more nationalities without any specific condition or any formalities.

Belgian Citizen who lost their Belgian nationality because they obtained another nationality before April 28, 2008, can apply to recover Belgian nationality (subject to certain conditions).

Belgian Citizen born abroad and holding another nationality lose their Belgian nationality at the age of 28 if they have indicated their will to retain their Belgian nationality (having ordered a Belgian identity card or passport between the ages of 18 and 28 is sufficient proof of willingness to retain the nationality). People who have lost their Belgian nationality at the age of 28 can also apply to recover Belgian nationality (subject to certain conditions).

Belgian nationality is automatically granted at birth if the child is born in Belgium to a Belgian parent or adoptive parent, or if the child is born abroad to a Belgian parent or adoptive parent born in Belgium.

Belgian nationality is granted to a child born abroad to a Belgian parent or adoptive parent who was born abroad, provided that the Belgian parent or adoptive parent signs a declaration claiming Belgian nationality for his or her child (at the embassy or commune of residence in Belgium).