In the first eight months of 2026, 1.239 prisoners without a residence permit were returned to their country of origin following their detention in Belgium, according to figures published by the Immigration Office. This represents an increase compared with the 991 returns recorded during the same period in 2025 and the 828 recorded in 2024.

On 10 September 2026, the Diversity Committee of the Social and Economic Council of Flanders (SERV) published an advice calling for an integrated approach to strengthen the labour market participation of first-generation women from non-EU countries. The advice identifies their comparatively vulnerable position on the Flemish labour market and calls for policies addressing barriers across different policy areas, while taking account of differences within this group.

Belgium and the United Kingdom have signed a Law Enforcement Cooperation Agreement (LECA) aimed at strengthening cooperation between their law enforcement authorities. The agreement will facilitate faster and more autonomous intelligence sharing and support joint action against migrant smuggling and other forms of serious and organised crime.

Ministers from Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece and the Netherlands met in Copenhagen on 4 September to discuss the establishment of return hubs in countries outside the EU. The five countries agreed on guiding principles for the proposed model and on a common timeframe for the national legal processes required for its implementation. Amnesty International warned that such arrangements could pose serious risks to human rights.

From 1 September 2026, employers in Flanders recruiting workers from outside the European Economic Area or Switzerland must pay a €180 fee for each application for a single permit. The fee applies to both first applications and renewals and is separate from the federal fee payable for the residence application.

Belgium’s new Criminal Code enters into force on 1 September 2026. Among its provisions relevant to migration, Articles 258 to 264 set out rules on human trafficking and human smuggling, including their definitions, aggravated forms, penalties and specific provisions concerning victims.

A spending review published on 31 August 2026 examines the organisation of Belgium’s closed centres and their role in the return chain. It finds that the centres operate relatively efficiently within current constraints, while identifying structural challenges affecting the use of available capacity. As of 20 May 2026, 541 of the 689 theoretical places were effectively usable, with 148 unavailable due to infrastructure problems or staff shortages. The review puts forward 74 recommendations and more than 170 concrete actions across nine areas.

The Ghent division of the East Flanders Court of First Instance has convicted 33 defendants in the Lotus case for human trafficking with aggravating circumstances and leadership or participation in a criminal organisation. The organisation recruited more than 100 financially vulnerable Chinese women and exploited them in prostitution in Belgium and other European countries. Four defendants were also convicted of human trafficking resulting in the death of a victim. Prison sentences of up to seven years, fines and confiscation orders were imposed.

Belgium has introduced new rules for foreign nationals working in Belgium without residing there. The new framework entered into force on 15 August 2026 and replaces rules dating from 1981. It introduces changes to the definition of frontier workers and to the documents and procedures applicable to them, including specific rules for third-country nationals.

Belgium officially launched its participation in the United Nations Blue Heart Campaign on 27 July 2026 in Namur, ahead of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons on 30 July. Coordinated by the Federal Public Service (FPS) Justice together with several national and international partners, the 2026 campaign focuses on trafficking in human beings for the purpose of forced online fraud.

Belgium’s Minister for Asylum and Migration, Anneleen Van Bossuyt, has announced a further reduction of 700 reception places provided under the Brussels Deal. This follows an earlier reduction of around 300 places announced at the end of June. According to the Minister, the measure reflects a decrease in the need for additional reception capacity for applicants for international protection awaiting access to the Fedasil reception network.

Myria, the Federal Migration Centre, has provided information on the possibilities for people in Gaza to travel to Belgium, focusing on two issues: the possibility of submitting a visa application from the Gaza Strip and the possibility of being evacuated to Belgium. While remote submission is currently possible for certain family reunification visa applications, other visa applications cannot currently be submitted remotely. Myria also reports that there are currently no evacuations from Gaza to Belgium and no apparent prospect of a new government decision to resume them.

The Belgian Council of State has suspended the decision of the Minister of Asylum and Migration to limit material reception conditions for applicants for international protection who have already obtained protection in another EU Member State. In its judgment No. 267.364 of 8 July 2026, the Council of State suspended the measure following an urgent appeal introduced by several organisations active in the field of asylum and migration. The decision concerns a measure adopted following the entry into application of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum on 12 June 2026.

The Minister of Asylum and Migration, the Belgian Immigration Office and the municipality of Nazareth-De Pinte have announced the opening of a new European Return Centre in Nazareth-De Pinte in autumn 2026. The centre will have a capacity of 300 places and will accommodate applicants for international protection for whom another EU Member State may be responsible for examining their application. The facility will complement the existing Centre in Zaventem and aims to support procedures related to transfers to the responsible Member State.

The City of Tournai has adopted a common protocol to guide the dismantling of informal migrant camps, with the aim of ensuring coordinated interventions while safeguarding the dignity and fundamental rights of the persons concerned. The protocol was developed jointly by local authorities, police and civil society organisations following discussions prompted by previous dismantling operations.

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.

A draft law introducing the possibility of home searches to enforce return decisions has begun its parliamentary examination in the House of Representatives. The measure would concern certain third-country nationals subject to an enforceable return decision who do not cooperate with their return and are considered to pose a risk to public order or national security. Discussed by the Committee on Home Affairs on 16 June 2026, the proposal will be subject to consultations with experts and stakeholders before the committee continues its examination.

Belgium has contributed to Operation Global Chain 2026, a large-scale international law enforcement operation targeting human trafficking networks. Coordinated across 59 countries, the operation took place from 8 to 12 June 2026 and focused on trafficking for sexual exploitation, forced criminality and forced begging, with a particular focus on underage victims. In Belgium, a police operation in Charleroi and Verviers led to the dismantling of a trafficking network and the identification of 22 minor victims.

Belgium has adopted new rules governing the renewal of residence permits for third-country national students. The amendments introduce stricter requirements concerning study progress, maximum study duration, changes of study programme and enrolment in non-recognised higher education institutions. They were adopted by Royal Decree of 7 May 2026, published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 21 May 2026, and apply from the 2026/2027 academic year.

The Belgian Council of Ministers has approved a draft bill aimed at strengthening rules on labour migration and improving the framework for highly qualified non-EU workers. The proposal includes measures aimed at strengthening the fight against fraud linked to labour migration, while also seeking to make the European Blue Card more attractive for highly qualified workers from outside the European Union. The draft bill also provides for additional protection for workers who are victims of certain social law infringements committed by employers. The text will now be submitted to the Council of State for advice.

The Belgian Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) announces a series of changes that will apply from 12 June 2026. These changes are part of the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, adopted in 2024. They will affect asylum procedures, operational practices and new institutional responsibilities.

The Council for Alien Law Litigation (CALL) has made the use of its child-friendly courtroom (“Salle M”) a structural arrangement as of March 2026. The measure applies to asylum appeal cases involving unaccompanied minors and is accompanied by adapted summonses, age-appropriate information materials, and strengthened judicial training on children’s rights. The initiative builds on a pilot phase and forms part of broader European efforts to enhance child-friendly justice.

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.

On 22 April 2026, the Belgian Federal Ombudsman published its annual report for 2025. The institution recorded a further increase in the number of cases handled, with migration-related issues remaining the main source of complaints. The report highlights recurring concerns linked to administrative procedures, in particular in the field of visas and residence-related decisions.

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.