The Belgian Council of Ministers has approved a draft law enabling home searches, with judicial authorisation, in cases involving non-cooperative foreign nationals facing return and posing a threat to public order or national security. The measure is similar to one previously discussed in 2018 and will now be submitted to the Council of State for its opinion. Several civil society organisations have expressed concerns about its implications.

The Belgian Chamber of Representatives has adopted a law raising the fee for registering the acquisition of Belgian nationality from €150 to €1.000. The change, included in the programme law adopted on 18 July 2025, forms part of a broader package of budgetary measures. The new fee will apply to applications submitted after the law enters into force and will be indexed annually.

The Belgian Chamber of Representatives has adopted new legislation modifying the conditions for family reunification under the law of 15 December 1980. The changes introduce stricter income requirements and modify waiting periods for certain categories of foreign nationals, particularly those benefiting from international or subsidiary protection. The legislation was approved with a majority vote during a plenary session and aims to regulate access to family reunification, a principal legal pathway for foreign nationals to join family members in Belgium.

On 16 July 2025, the European Commission unveiled its proposal for the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), totalling nearly €2 trillion. A significant portion of this budget—approximately €81 billion—is earmarked for migration, border management, and internal security. Within this amount, €34 billion is specifically allocated to migration management, tripling the funding compared to the previous period.

The European Migration Network (EMN) has made its popular Glossary more accessible than ever, now available through a redesigned website and mobile app. With over 540 asylum and migration terms in 27 languages, it helps make complex concepts easier to understand. Whether you're a student, journalist, frontline worker or just curious about asylum and migration in Europe, the EMN Glossary offers clear definitions, trusted translations and smart search features — all for free, and accessible to everyone.

According to Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, 5.336 persons obtained Belgian nationality in April 2025. The main countries of origin of people who acquired Belgian nationality in April are Morocco, Romania, Syria, France and Turkey.

On 11 July, the Belgian Council of Ministers approved a draft bill that broadens the circumstances under which Belgian nationality may be withdrawn. This reform enlarges the list of serious criminal offences that can lead to loss of nationality and mandates judges to systematically consider deprivation in terrorism convictions. The draft bill will now be submitted to the Council of State for its opinion.

The European Migration Network (EMN) has published its Asylum and Migration Overview 2024, with contributions from 30 Member and Observer Countries. The Belgian and EU-wide reports are both made available today, with the European report presented today 9 July 2025 at an online launch event gathering over 260 participants. For the first time, the EU report is available in an interactive format offering dynamic access to key data and trends.

During this online event, the European Migration Network (EMN) will present the 2024 Asylum and Migration Overview (AMO). This comprehensive publication provides a clear overview of the main trends and developments in migration and asylum across EMN Member and Observer countries in 2024. Additionally, a new interactive format will be introduced to enhance the accessibility of the information for a broader audience. Participants will gain insight into the key policy changes and challenges that shaped migration and asylum in Europe over the past year.

In 2024, 774 unaccompanied foreign minors were reported missing in Belgium—nearly fifteen every week. Around 100 of these cases were considered particularly alarming. The figures, disclosed in response to a parliamentary question by MP Matti Vandemaele (Groen), rank Belgium among the European countries most affected by the phenomenon. Child protection organisations warn that structural gaps may hinder the identification and protection of vulnerable children.

In 2024, a total of 17.939 newcomers obtained an integration certificate in Flanders, according to the Jaarrapport Inburgering 2024. This is the highest number recorded since 2018 and marks a 16% increase compared to the previous year.

From 1 July to 31 December 2025, Denmark will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Presidency’s programme emphasises key priorities such as tackling irregular migration, strengthening border control, and fostering cooperation with partner countries. It also aims to enhance legal migration pathways and address the situation of displaced persons.

Myria has published the first thematic section of its 2025 annual report. This section, entitled "Population and movements", reveals that foreign nationals made up over 13% of the Belgian population as of 1 January 2024. Immigration from Romania, France and Ukraine was particularly high. The report also details key trends in foreign residence permits, demographic profiles and migratory flows.

In July 2025, the Odysseus Network for Legal Studies on Migration and Asylum in Europe organises the 25th edition of its yearly summer school. It will focus on the European immigration and asylum policies from a legal perspective, including the latest developments in 2025. Special emphasis will be placed on the adoption of the New Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Nearly one in eight self-employed workers in Belgium do not hold Belgian nationality. This proportion rises to more than four in ten in the Brussels-Capital Region. An analysis of recent data from the National Institute for Social Security of the Self-Employed (INASTI) by the social insurance fund Acerta highlights these figures. The study also reveals differences in age, sector activity, and income between Belgian and non-Belgian self-employed individuals.

On the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, NANSEN highlights its work with applicants for international protection who have experienced torture. The organisation provides legal information and tailored support to help them navigate the protection procedure. Victims of torture are entitled to specific procedural guarantees. NANSEN ensures that these rights are respected throughout their application process.

On 24 June 2025, EMN Belgium participated in the Polish Presidency Conference on countering irregular migration. The discussions examined this phenomenon from three perspectives: strengthening the EU’s external borders to prevent irregular entries, combating migrant smuggling to dismantle criminal networks, and addressing the root causes of irregular migration and providing safe and legal alternatives.

This high-level conference will provide panel discussions among EU Member States’ ministries, the European Commission, EU agencies, national stakeholders, international organisations, and third-country officials to exchange views on tackling irregular migration, border management, countering migrant smuggling, and addressing root causes of migration.

Albania has officially joined the European Migration Network (EMN) as an Observer Country. An Administrative Agreement was signed on 24 June between the European Commission and the Albanian Ministry of Interior. The arrangement was concluded on the margins of a conference co-organised by EMN Poland and establishes formal cooperation between the two parties within the EMN framework.

World Refugee Day is celebrated every year on 20 June to recognise the situation of refugees worldwide. The day aims to raise public awareness and foster understanding of the challenges faced by displaced people. Various testimonies, events, and initiatives take place internationally and in Belgium. This year, World Refugee Day focuses on solidarity with refugees.

From Brussels to Virton and beyond, a wide range of activities are being organised across Belgium in the lead-up to World Refugee Day on 20 June 2025. Cultural events, open days, artistic performances and community gatherings will shine a light on the talents, stories and resilience of people forced to flee.

On 19 June 2025, Interior Minister Bernard Quintin and Asylum and Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt announced that, starting from summer 2025, federal police, local police, and the Immigration Office will collaborate to conduct targeted checks within Belgium. These measures aim to combat irregular migration and secondary movements towards Belgium. Reactions have emerged regarding the capacity required to implement such checks, their actual effectiveness in reducing irregular migration, and whether they can deliver a real deterrent effect or remain largely symbolic.

On 19 June 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union delivered a judgment in response to a request from the Brussels Court of First Instance (French-speaking) regarding appeal procedures following the refusal of student visas. The referral followed concerns raised by Belgian lawyers and the NGO CIRÉ, highlighting that late notification of refusals often prevents students from exercising an effective remedy. The Court clarified that, while no urgent procedure is required, national systems must ensure that visa decisions and related appeals are issued in time for a meaningful judicial review.