Diana Weber
Lawyer of international law
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17
July
Permanent residence in Belgium
Permanent residence in Belgium is issued to foreigners who have a documentary right to permanently reside in the state. You can claim the status after 5 years after the move and the opening of the primary residence permit of the immigration type. It will be necessary to fulfill the accompanying conditions, for example, to take out health insurance and demonstrate financial solvency. The Kingdom of Belgium is a member of the European Union, so the local document is a permanent residence permit of the EU standard, it gives the owner the corresponding rights and privileges throughout the territory of the association.
Moving to Belgium attracts the possibility of living in a highly developed country in Western Europe, which is part of the EU, WTO, NATO, Schengen zone. After obtaining the status of permanent resident immigrant can be officially employed in the kingdom, count on free prestigious education and social support, register and develop business at the international level. The holder of a permanent residence card also gets the right to apply for EU citizenship if he or she meets the accompanying requirements for the applicant.
The easiest way to legalize a stay in Belgium is with a passport of another EU country. In the EU states there are simplified programs of citizenship registration in the period from 4 months. You can get detailed information from a migration specialist Immigrantinlaw.
Obtaining a Belgian permanent residence permit opens access to such opportunities and privileges:
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To move to Belgium for permanent residence, you must first obtain a temporary resident card. It is necessary to obtain a residence permit of the immigration type, which can be extended an unlimited number of times. Obtaining the status of permanent resident will be available after five years after moving (provided the absence in the state no more than six months in a row, or up to 10 months in total for the entire period). Belgian residence permit with the right to immigrate can be issued on the following grounds:
The main condition for immigration to Belgium for permanent residence is the presence of a reason for a long stay, which is regulated by the law “On entry into the territory, residence, settlement and expulsion of foreigners”. The applicant will need to keep the reason for being in the kingdom for at least 5 years and with it regularly renew the residence permit, until it is possible to request a permanent residence permit. Also, an applicant for a permanent resident card must meet the following requirements:
It is quicker and easier to immigrate to Belgium as a European Union citizen with no additional conditions to open a residence card. It is possible to obtain a second passport of an EU country without prior residence, passing a language exam and proving financial security with the help of specialized lawyers Immigrantinlaw.
To immigrate to Belgium permanently, you need to do the following:
To apply for a Belgian residence permit, you need to prepare the following documents:
The dossier must be translated into the state language and notarized, if applicable. The documents are submitted in person to the regional municipality, where they are reviewed and forwarded to the Department of Immigration. The application is limited to 5 months from the date of registration.
The status of permanent resident of Belgium is valid indefinitely and gives the right to unlimited residence in the country. It is necessary to change only the residence permit card itself - once every 10 years, or in case of its damage or change of personal data (for example, change of surname after marriage). To request the extension of the document can be between 30 and 40 days before the end of its validity by personal application to the municipality of residence.
The Belgian residence permit may be revoked in the following cases:
After 5 years of residence in Belgium and after the permanent residence permit has been issued, it is possible to apply for citizenship. The applicant will need to pass a language test, confirming the level of A2 or higher, demonstrate evidence of social integration (e.g., passing the relevant government program). Citizenship is granted if the foreigner takes an economic part in the life of the kingdom, that is, accumulated work experience of 468 days for the entire period of residence, or paid taxes for at least 6 quarters as an entrepreneur.
Get more information about the peculiarities of immigration to the EU at a free consultation
It is worth moving to Belgium for those who know one of the official languages at least at a basic level, have or plan to receive a stable source of income, and are ready to study the local culture and traditions. It is necessary to choose in advance a suitable city for immigration, to learn about the possibility to arrange children in a garden or school, to assess the prospects of the labor market or business. It will not be superfluous to learn more about the mentality of locals, climatic features of the kingdom, attitude to expats.
Belgium is a multicultural country with three official languages: Dutch, French and German. In the regions, people also speak local dialects, such as Walloon. The most widespread languages in the country are Dutch and French, which are spoken by about 99% of the population. The majority of Belgians also know English, but are not always ready to communicate with foreigners in it. In order to successfully immigrate, you should master the language of the respective region at the level of A2 or higher, otherwise your chances of employment will be minimal.
The Belgian Ministry of Social Affairs provides financial and related support to vulnerable people. For example, people with disabilities, temporarily disabled, refugees, pensioners can apply for assistance. Registration of permanent residence in Belgium is associated with proof of financial security without benefits, so expect a successful immigration with regular subsidies from the state is not necessary. However, permanent residents of the country have the right to request assistance according to their status, such as unemployment benefits.
Belgium's economy is based on services, logistics, heavy industry (especially chemical industry) and international trade. Unemployment is low and there is a shortage of highly qualified employees. The average monthly salary in the kingdom is about 2684 EUR after taxes. Permanent residents can be employed without restrictions, except for positions in the state apparatus. Belgium has a progressive tax system with the interest rate increasing according to the level of income.
School education in Belgium is free of charge and compulsory for all children, including foreigners with permanent residence. Education includes all-round personal development with the possibility to choose specialized disciplines in the upper grades. Private international school (for example, with English-speaking teachers) costs about 16 060 EUR per year. The state obligatorily organizes education of each child regardless of workload of schools in the place of residence.
In Belgium there are state kindergartens, including nursery groups, where a child can be placed from the age of three months. There are also private preschools, the average cost of which is about 500 EUR per month. Due to the increasing immigration flow in recent years, locals enroll their children in the queue in advance, sometimes immediately after birth. Holders of a residence permit card have the right to send their child to a public kindergarten.
There are no special conditions for older people to move to Belgium. The Kingdom pays pensions only to those who have a proper working record in the country or in the territory of the European Union. Foreigners can receive appropriate subsidies at home and live in the kingdom on general grounds. Life in Belgium cannot be called cheap, so here usually move wealthy pensioners or those who are dependent on family members.
You should start your move to Belgium by calculating your expected expenses. It will be necessary to rent or purchase real estate, organize a flight or land route to the kingdom, pay administrative fees for the opening of resident documents. Since before obtaining a residence permit will need to live in the country for 5 years, during this time you will need to pay for utilities, transportation, basic daily expenses. Also, foreigners spend on notary services, legal support, assistance of realtors. The table of approximate minimum costs of an immigrant is presented below.
Category of expenses | Cost, € |
---|---|
Visa fee | 180 |
Temporary residence permit | 144–357 |
Resident card | 24,6–26,6 |
Notary services | от 12–15 (per page) |
Approximately monthly expenses | 1000 |
Rent of one-bedroom apartment | 700–900 (per month) |
Utility bills | 150–200 (per month) |
Monthly pass for a public transport | 50 |
Property price per m2 | 3000–3500 |
It`s possible to minimize the cost of immigration to Belgium by contacting specialists in international law. Dedicated lawyers Immigrantinlaw draw-up a step-by-step tailored action plan for the relocation.
Belgium attracts foreigners with its high standard of living. This is a developed post-industrial state of Western Europe with notable rates of economic growth, political stability, public safety and social security. Individual index of quality of life in the kingdom is 165 points according to Numbeo, which equates to the assessment of “Very High”, and in the world ranking the country ranks 27th.
A significant plus for Belgium is the excellent purchasing power of the population. With an average salary of 2684 EUR, an average resident spends about 1000 EUR per month, excluding housing costs. Highly qualified specialists (for example, doctors, programmers, engineers, representatives of technical specialties) can earn from 5000 EUR. The insurance medical system is also well developed in the country, there are state universities with budgetary form of education.
The disadvantages of moving to Belgium include high income tax rates - up to 50% of the salary, depending on its size. The higher the income, the more contributions must be deducted, which does not like many immigrants. The complex state structure with many regional differences and tedious bureaucratic procedures also complicates the move. Life in Belgium is expensive: it is better to move here for those who are ready to work or run a business, without expecting financial subsidies from the kingdom.
In the reviews of foreigners who moved to Belgium for permanent residence, there are mostly positive points. Many note the multi-nationality of the kingdom, which allows everyone to feel comfortable, regardless of skin color or religious beliefs. The country has a very developed infrastructure: everything necessary is available even in small towns, including for people with disabilities. In Belgium, the law prohibits any form of discrimination, and local municipalities offer integration programs for the comfortable settlement of foreigners.
Immigrants often talk about the peculiar mentality of Belgians, who are accustomed to slowness and unhurriedness, like to conduct unencumbered conversations on general topics (so-called small talk) and do not recognize the violation of social customs. There are often queues at government offices, banks and hospitals. Many people report that migration procedures are complicated, with staff requiring many different documents and taking a long time to process applications at each stage.
Easy and quick ways to immigrate to Belgium for permanent residence include obtaining a passport from another European Union country. Citizens of an association can move to the kingdom without additional requirements along with family members. Some EU states (for example, Romania, Slovenia and Bulgaria) provide simplified conditions for obtaining a passport for those who have ethnic or territorial affiliation to the country. Citizenship registration takes from 4 months, it does not require prior opening of residence permit, submission of income certificate and language certificate.
You can choose a suitable immigration program with the help of international law specialists. Dedicated lawyers recommend the best ways to move to Europe based on the client's dossier and personal wishes. Step-by-step support of a specialist minimizes to zero mistakes in the migration process and the risk of rejection of the application. The assigned lawyer Immigrantinlaw takes care of most of the tasks, from preparing the dossier to organizing visits to the authorized bodies. You can learn more about the best options for moving to Belgium during a free consultation.
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