Myria, the Federal Migration Centre, has published a new thematic report on the right to family life as part of its annual report "Migration in Figures and Rights 2025". The report provides updated data on first residence permits and visas for family reasons. It also examines recent legislative reforms, which Myria stresses will need close monitoring due to their potential impact on access to family reunification, integration outcomes, and the risk of poverty.

On 26 November 2025, several civil society organisations, including Caritas International and Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen, published a statement warning about rising refusals of temporary protection applications. Between January and October, 2.380 applications were rejected, compared with 1.578 in 2022. The organisations highlighted difficulties in accessing accommodation and support for displaced persons affected. Authorities attribute the increase to changes in European rules and stricter administrative requirements.

The Federal Ombudsman has highlighted persistent challenges for individuals required to submit visa applications in person at Belgian diplomatic or consular posts. These requirements can create significant financial, administrative, and security burdens, particularly for applicants living far from a competent post or in conflict-affected regions. The Ombudsman recommends reviewing visa submission procedures to improve accessibility and consistency.

On 20 November 2025, EMN Belgium attended the launch of the annual report "Rechten op de drempel" by the Flemish Children’s Rights Commissioner, on the occasion of International Children’s Rights Day. The report highlights persistent challenges affecting foreign children and young people in reception centres, including disparities in living conditions, safety, hygiene, and access to basic needs.

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.

On 17 November 2025, the City of Brussels adopted a motion for a welcoming, responsible and caring city, opposing the draft law allowing judicially authorised home searches for irregularly staying migrants. The motion emphasises that security and human dignity are inextricably linked and states that Brussels must remain a welcoming, responsible and just city, faithful to its constitutional and European obligations.

On 13 November 2025, several civil society organisations held a silent protest outside the Palais de Justice in Brussels to draw attention to the shortage of reception places for third-country nationals. Participants, including advocates, volunteers, and citizens, brought sleeping bags to symbolise people forced to sleep outdoors. The demonstration called for urgent measures to ensure that all individuals entitled to accommodation can access it.

Belgium has laid the first stone of a new short-stay departure centre in Steenokkerzeel, aimed at housing individuals in irregular stay pending return. The 50-place facility is scheduled to open by the end of 2026. It forms part of a broader plan to expand and improve the country’s closed centres.

From 3 to 7 November 2025, the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) conducted an evaluation visit to Belgium under the fourth cycle of its monitoring of the Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. The evaluation focuses on vulnerabilities to trafficking, the measures taken to prevent and detect them, support victims, and sanction perpetrators, with particular attention to the role of information and communication technologies.

The Belgian Council of Ministers has approved a draft law providing for the possibility of imposing lifetime entry bans on individuals who pose a genuine security threat, based on an assessment by the Coordinating Body for Threat Analysis (OCAM). The measure is intended to implement a commitment set out in the government agreement and envisage amendments to several provisions of the Aliens Act of 15 December 1980. The draft law will now be submitted to the Council of State for its opinion.

On 4 November 2025, two EMN Belgium colleagues met with the General Delegates for Children’s Rights, Caroline Vrijens (Flanders) and Souleymane Laqdim (French Community), accompanied by two of Ms Vrijens’ team members. The meeting was highly cordial and provided an opportunity for open discussion and in-depth dialogue on shared concerns and potential avenues for cooperation. Key topics included the challenges faced by migrant children in Belgium.

The Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) is resuming the processing of applications for international protection from Syrian nationals from 1 November 2025. The suspension, in place since 9 December 2024, was implemented to gather sufficient information on the security situation in Syria.

On 20 October 2025, around 200 Belgian actors and European partners gathered to mark thirty years of the fight against human trafficking in Belgium, highlighting both the strengths of a multidisciplinary and specialised system based on collaboration and information sharing, and the ongoing challenges, such as limited resources, difficulties in securing compensation for victims, the protection of minors, and adapting to emerging forms of trafficking.

From 13 to 18 October, PAG-ASA organises a series of activities in Brussels as part of the Human Trafficking Awareness Week. The events aim to raise awareness of human trafficking, its impact on victims, and the Belgian protection framework. Activities include exhibitions, film screenings, and professional trainings. EMN Belgium attended one of the film screenings, reflecting on forms of labour exploitation and the challenges involved in assisting and upholding the rights of victims.

On 12 October 2025, Belgium began implementing the European Entry-Exit System (EES) for third-country nationals travelling to Europe for short stays. Brussels Airport and Brussels-Midi station (for Eurostar passengers) have planned the necessary infrastructure and procedures to support border registration. EU and Schengen-area travellers are not affected. Full implementation across Europe is scheduled for 10 April 2026.

In the case of Sahiti v. Belgium, a Kosovar national has waited over 15 years for a final decision on his medical residence permit application in Belgium. He claimed that his health condition and the procedural delays exposed him to serious risks. The European Court of Human Rights found a violation of Article 8 of the Convention due to the prolonged uncertainty and precarious situation. The Court instructed Belgium, under Article 46, to ensure that a final decision is issued promptly while respecting domestic law.

On 2 October 2025, EMN Belgium held an information session for new visa officers of the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs. During this information session, the Belgian institutional framework for migration and asylum policies was presented.

On 30 September 2025, seven organisations, including humanitarian groups, published the fifth edition of their Belgian report on the country’s non-reception policy and its effects on asylum seekers. The report provides data on reduced access to accommodation and essential services during the first half of 2025, following policy changes introduced by the coalition government formed in January. It documents impacts on housing, healthcare, mental health, and legal support for people seeking international protection.

The Flemish government has decided that third-country workers – from outside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – will follow a mandatory tailored integration trajectory from 2027. The initiative, proposed by Minister Hilde Crevits, will be delivered digitally and can be started in the country of origin or within six months of arrival in Flanders. The programme provides essential information on work, rights and responsibilities, and Flemish norms and values. Certain temporary or seasonal workers, students, and holiday-work participants are excluded.

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.

Myria, the Federal Migration Centre, has published a thematic report on economic migration, free movement and students as part of its annual report "Migration in figures and rights 2025". The publication explains trends in labour migration and study-related mobility. It shows that labour migration from outside the EU has slightly decreased, the share of third-country nationals among temporary postings has continued to grow, and student numbers are increasing.

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.

The Belgian Minister for Equal Opportunities, Rob Beenders, has launched a campaign aimed at employers, HR professionals and relevant actors to promote gender equality in the workplace. It particularly highlights the challenges faced by women of foreign origin and draws on a recent report showing that they encounter structural difficulties, such as precarious work and under-employment. A podcast complements the campaign by giving a voice to migrant women and illustrating their resilience in the face of these obstacles.

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe examined the execution of the European Court of Human Rights judgment in Camara v. Belgium. The case highlighted a systemic failure to enforce judicial decisions ordering the State to provide accommodation and material support to asylum-seekers. While some progress has been made in freeing up reception places and improving operational support, concerns persist over reductions in capacity and the risk to the rule of law. The Committee urged the Belgian authorities to adopt sustainable measures and provide detailed information on enforcement.

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.