Belgium Extends Border Checks as Immigration Policy Tightens
The Belgian government has decided to extend entry checks at the country’s borders for another six months, as part of a tougher approach aimed at reducing irregular migration and strengthening internal security.
The decision comes as European countries continue to face pressure on their asylum systems and external borders.
Security Checks Within the Schengen Area
Belgian authorities began carrying out these checks last July, even though Belgium is part of the Schengen Area.
Belgian police conduct checks on major roads, at rest areas, on international buses, as well as on some trains and flights.
The checks focus particularly on travelers arriving from other Schengen countries facing high migration pressure, including Italy and Greece.
Results From the First Six Months
During the first six months of the operation, Belgian police stopped more than 25,600 people as part of the checks.
Investigators found that around 180 people did not have valid residence or travel documents.
A total of 109 adults were handed over to immigration authorities, while 24 people were placed in closed detention centers. Another 14 people were returned to their countries of origin.
Belgium Continues to Tighten Immigration Rules
The decision is part of a broader government effort to tighten Belgium’s immigration laws.
The Belgian Parliament recently approved plans allowing Belgian citizenship to be revoked from people convicted of serious crimes, including murder, organized crime and sexual offenses, under specific legal conditions.
The government is also working on a bill that would introduce a lifetime entry ban for people convicted of terrorist offenses who are living in Belgium illegally.
Asylum Applications Decline
At the same time, official figures showed a significant drop in Belgium’s asylum recognition rate in 2025.
The rate fell to 28.6 percent, compared with more than 48 percent the previous year.
The number of asylum applications also declined to around 34,340 in Belgium, with a notable drop in applications from Syrian nationals.
