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More than 69.000 people acquired Belgian nationality in 2025

10/06/2026

According to figures published by Statbel on 10 June 2026, 69.017 persons acquired Belgian nationality in 2025. The most common previous nationalities among those who became Belgian were Moroccan, Romanian, Syrian, Polish and Italian. Compared to 2024, the number of acquisitions of Belgian nationality increased by almost 9.000.

Theme:
Citizenship & Nationality
Type:
News item
Keywords:
Belgian nationality
access to nationality

Bridging the digital divide: Digital services in legal migration procedures for accessibility and inclusion (EMN Inform)

12/05/2026

This Inform examines how digital services in legal migration procedures are designed and implemented in EMN Member and Observer Countries to ensure accessibility and inclusion for applicants with disabilities and digitally disadvantaged applicants. It looks at how authorities have adapted applications, document submission, appointment booking, communication and information exchange, and case-tracking services in the context of the ongoing digitalisation of legal migration procedures. The analysis is based on contributions from 25 EMN Member and Observer Countries.

Theme:
Economic migration
Family Migration
Student Migration
Citizenship & Nationality
Borders & Visa
Publication type:
Informs
Keywords:
legal migration
digitalisation
accessibility
inclusion

Belgium enhances preparedness of coastal rescue services in response to increased small boat activity

23/04/2026

Coastal rescue services along the Belgian North Sea are being briefed on how to respond to increased small boat activity linked to attempted irregular crossings towards the United Kingdom. The sessions aim to strengthen awareness and improve coordination with relevant authorities ahead of the start of the beach surveillance season.

Theme:
Irregular Migration
Smuggling & Trafficking
Type:
News item
Keywords:
small boat
human smuggling
Belgian coast
rescue services

The IOM reports nearly 8.000 migrant deaths or disappearances worldwide in 2025

21/04/2026

Based on data released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), nearly 7.900 deaths or disappearances were recorded on migration routes worldwide in 2025. This compares with approximately 9.200 recorded in 2024. The figures bring the cumulative total to more than 80.000 deaths or disappearances recorded since 2014, when the Missing Migrants Project began collecting data.

Theme:
Data & Statistics
Irregular Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
Missing Migrants Project
migration route
migrant death
disappearance

Ad Hoc Query on citizenship granted to foreigners in the EMN Member and Observer Countries (2021-2025)

16/04/2026

This ad hoc query gathers comparative data from EMN Member Countries on the number of citizenships granted annually between 2021 and 2025. It highlights significant disparities in volumes and emerging trends over time, including increases, decreases, or stable patterns. It also provides an overview of the main nationalities acquiring citizenship in selected countries and the different administrative sources used to produce the data.

Theme:
Citizenship & Nationality
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
acquisition of citizenship

Anneleen Van Bossuyt carries out a mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo

13/04/2026

Belgian Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt is carrying out a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The visit takes place in the context of a marked increase in asylum applications from Congolese nationals in Belgium in recent years. The mission aims to discourage unfounded asylum applications, address the misuse of visa procedures, counter document fraud and misleading messages from smugglers, and strengthen cooperation on return and the fight against irregular migration. 

Theme:
International Protection
Irregular Migration
Return & Readmission
Smuggling & Trafficking
Type:
News item
Keywords:
Democratic Republic of Congo
deterrence campaign
dissuasion campaign

EMN Belgium attends presentation of TRAQ research project on the status of victim of smuggling

27/03/2026

On 27 March 2026, EMN Belgium participated in a seminar organised by Myria and the National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC) entitled "The status of victim of smuggling under the microscope", where the results of the research report on the practical application of this status were presented.

Theme:
Irregular Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
human smuggling
legal status
residence permit
Belgium

Belgian court annuls nationality revocations for children of Palestinian origin

27/02/2026

The Antwerp Family Court has annulled the decisions of local civil registry officials that sought to revoke the Belgian nationality of children born in Belgium to Palestinian parents. In five rulings issued on 27 February 2026, the court emphasised that depriving these children of nationality would be contrary to their best interests.

Theme:
Statelessness
Citizenship & Nationality
Type:
News item
Keywords:
Belgian nationality
misuse
withdrawal
Palestinian
child
best interests of the child

Belgium extends targeted internal checks to curb irregular migration

01/02/2026

On 1 February 2026, Belgian Ministers Anneleen Van Bossuyt (Asylum and Migration) and Bernard Quintin (Interior) announced the extension of targeted internal checks, in place since July 2025, until at least 31 July 2026. The measures aim to curb irregular migration and secondary movements into Belgium while enforcing residence requirements and enhancing security. Targeted checks are conducted on major roads, long‑distance buses, selected trains, and intra‑Schengen flights.

Theme:
Borders & Visa
Irregular Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
Schengen borders code
checks
Belgian territory
irregularly staying third-country national
secondary movement

Ad Hoc Query on passing Iraqi citizenship to a child born abroad

24/01/2026

This ad hoc query inquires about experiences and practices across EMN Member and Observer Countries when confronted to cases of children born on their territory to an Iraqi mother, and maps provisions in place to prevent these children being born stateless if Iraqi citizenship cannot be passed.

Theme:
Citizenship & Nationality
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
nationality
acquisition of citizenship
Iraq
child

Ad Hoc Query on determining citizenship of third-country nationals

18/01/2026

This ad hoc query maps existing legislation and practices across EMN Member and Observer Countries with regard to the determination of the nationality of third-country nationals, including documentation required. Questions are also asked on the registration of nationalities of children born on their territory to third-country national parents.

Theme:
Citizenship & Nationality
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
nationality
determination
foreign national
documentary proof

Myria highlights concerns over proposed automatic loss of Belgian nationality

12/01/2026

On 12 January 2026, Myria issued a press release regarding a joint opinion with the Federal Institute for Human Rights (IFDH) on a draft law concerning the automatic loss of Belgian nationality. The joint opinion raises concerns over the significant expansion of offences and individuals affected, including dual nationals and Belgian-born citizens. Myria and IFDH highlight potential conflicts with equality, procedural safeguards, and fundamental rights, including the presumption of innocence. The press release draws attention to the consequences for residence rights and the need for thorough judicial review.

Theme:
Citizenship & Nationality
Type:
News item
Keywords:
Belgian nationality
loss of nationality
residence
dual national
criminal offence
fundamental right

Ad Hoc Query on the recognition of Palestine as a State

05/01/2026

This ad hoc query maps the status of recognition of Palestine as a sovereign State across EMN Member Countries and the resulting administrative practices regarding statelessness and citizenship for individuals originating from the Palestinian territories. 

Theme:
Statelessness
Citizenship & Nationality
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
Palestine
State
statehood
recognition
citizenship
stateless persons

Ad Hoc Query on challenges and opportunities in the use of digital services in legal migration procedures

14/12/2025

This ad hoc query, which informed the preparation of an EMN Inform, collected information on how EMN Member and Observer Countries have adapted digital services in legal migration procedures to ensure accessibility and inclusion for applicants with disabilities and digitally disadvantaged applicants. It examined compliance with relevant EU and international frameworks, as well as national legislation. It also explored additional accessibility measures, support for users with special needs, GDPR safeguards, user involvement in service design, and approaches to digital disadvantage, alongside challenges and good practices identified by countries.

Theme:
Economic migration
Family Migration
Student Migration
Citizenship & Nationality
Borders & Visa
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
legal migration
digitalisation
accessibility
inclusion

Ad Hoc Query on the procedures for examining applications for citizenship based on language proficiency and citizenship tests

14/12/2025

This ad hoc query maps the use of both language tests and citizenship tests in the requirements to obtain citizenship across EMN Member and Observer Countries. Information is provided on the language levels, topics tested, and institutions responsible for examining applications, with a particular focus on the testing of adherence to the country’s fundamental values.

Theme:
Citizenship & Nationality
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
access to citizenship
access to nationality
language test
citizenship test
fundamental values

5.925 persons obtained Belgian nationality in September 2025, according to Statbel

11/12/2025

According to Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, 5.925 persons obtained Belgian nationality in September 2025. The main countries of origin of people who acquired Belgian nationality in September are Morocco, Romania, Syria, Poland and Italy.

Theme:
Data & Statistics
Citizenship & Nationality
Type:
News item
Keywords:
Belgian nationality
access to nationality

4.859 persons obtained Belgian nationality in August 2025, according to Statbel

19/11/2025

According to Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, 4.859 persons obtained Belgian nationality in August 2025. The main countries of origin of people who acquired Belgian nationality in August are Morocco, Syria, Romania, Poland and France.

Theme:
Data & Statistics
Citizenship & Nationality
Type:
News item
Keywords:
access to nationality
Belgian nationality

Ad Hoc Query on extension of SIS alerts

28/10/2025

This ad hoc query examines the extension of alerts in the Schengen Information System (SIS) under Article 3 of Regulation 2018/1860 for persons who don’t leave the territory and whose alert is approaching its expiration date.

Theme:
Irregular Migration
Publication type:
Ad Hoc Queries
Keywords:
Schengen Information System
alert on return
extension
individual review

6.535 persons obtained Belgian nationality in July 2025, according to Statbel

10/10/2025

According to Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, 6.535 persons obtained Belgian nationality in July 2025. The main countries of origin of people who acquired Belgian nationality in July are Morocco, Romania, Syria, Turkey and Afghanistan.

Theme:
Data & Statistics
Citizenship & Nationality
Type:
News item
Keywords:
Belgian nationality
access to nationality

Belgian Ministers meet Albanian and Kosovan counterparts to discuss justice, migration, and cooperation

08/10/2025

Belgian Ministers of Justice and Asylum and Migration, Annelies Verlinden and Anneleen Van Bossuyt, visited Albania and Kosovo on 6–8 October 2025. Their discussions addressed migration management, prison overcrowding, and bilateral cooperation in justice and security. Meetings involved national authorities and highlighted ongoing collaboration between Belgium and the two countries.

Theme:
Irregular Migration
Return & Readmission
Smuggling & Trafficking
Type:
News item
Keywords:
Belgium
Albania
Kosovo
cooperation
identification
forced return
detainee

Fedasil Info Point in Brussels marks two years of service

26/09/2025

The Fedasil Info Point in Brussels has been supporting asylum seekers and other migrants for two years, providing accessible and centralised information in one location. Since reopening on 27 September 2023 at the former Bordet Hospital site, it has welcomed over 22.000 visitors, mostly single men with ongoing asylum procedures. Visitors most frequently ask about accommodation, medical care, legal support, and other practical matters. Partners such as Caritas International and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) assist in providing guidance and support.

Theme:
Vulnerable groups
Asylum
Irregular Migration
Return & Readmission
Type:
News item
Keywords:
Fedasil
Info Point
information provision
applicant for international protection
refugee
irregularly staying third-country national (2915
beneficiary of temporary protection

5.523 persons obtained Belgian nationality in June 2025, according to Statbel

18/09/2025

According to Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, 5.523 persons obtained Belgian nationality in June 2025. The main countries of origin of people who acquired Belgian nationality in June are Morocco, Syria, Romania, Italy and Turkey.

Theme:
Data & Statistics
Citizenship & Nationality
Type:
News item
Keywords:
access to nationality
Belgian nationality

Minister Van Bossuyt updates Parliament on internal checks against irregular and secondary migration

17/09/2025

Belgium introduced targeted internal checks in July 2025 to address irregular and secondary migration. The measures are applied at airports, international bus and rail stations, and motorway rest areas. Over 11.000 individuals have been checked, with some ordered to leave the territory or placed in closed centres. The government plans to continue the checks and to conduct a six‑month evaluation.

Theme:
Borders & Visa
Irregular Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
checks
Belgian territory
irregularly staying third-country national
secondary movement

UNHCR data shows high sea arrivals in Europe in 2025

24/08/2025

Did you know that the UNHCR Operational Data Portal provides detailed, up-to-date information on sea arrivals in Europe? As of 24 August 2025, a total of 89.189 people have reached European shores by sea. The majority of these arrivals have been recorded in Italy and Greece, while Spain also received significant numbers. In 2024, a total of 187.337 sea arrivals were reported, illustrating the continued importance of Mediterranean and North-West African routes.

Theme:
Irregular Migration
Type:
News item
Keywords:
UNHCR
operational data portal
sea arrival
land arrival

West Flanders records sharp decline in intercepted transit migrants

22/08/2025

In the first half of 2025, West Flanders saw 72 transit migrants intercepted, a significant decrease compared with previous years. Most were from Ethiopia, while earlier periods involved people from Sudan, Iraq and Vietnam. Authorities cite preventive policing and cross-border controls as key factors.

Theme:
Irregular Migration
Smuggling & Trafficking
Type:
News item
Keywords:
transit migrant
transmigrant
interception
border control

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