Belgian Citizenship Grants Hit 26-Year High
Belgium has recorded an unprecedented rise in the number of foreign nationals obtaining Belgian citizenship in recent years, with figures reaching their highest levels since 2001. The increase reflects the changing demographics of Belgian society and the country’s legal requirements for integration and citizenship.
Belgian Citizenship: Official Figures and Statistics
Data from Belgium’s statistics office, Statbel, shows that more than 54,000 people obtained Belgian citizenship in 2023. This was the highest figure since 2001, when the so-called “fast-track naturalization” rules made it easier to obtain Belgian citizenship at the time.
During the first nine months of 2024, around 45,600 people obtained Belgian citizenship, an increase of about 8% compared with the same period a year earlier. This showed that the upward trend in citizenship applications and approvals was continuing.
Earlier estimates suggested that the total number of people who obtained Belgian citizenship in 2024 could reach around 59,650, an increase of about 7.7% compared with 2023. That would make it one of the highest levels recorded in roughly 26 years.
Foreign Nationalities Receiving Belgian Citizenship
Official statistics show that the largest groups of foreign nationals becoming Belgian citizens came from a range of countries.
Morocco ranked first, followed by Syria, Afghanistan, Romania and Turkey among the nationalities with the highest numbers of people acquiring Belgian citizenship in 2023.
There was also a notable increase in the number of Palestinians in Belgium receiving Belgian citizenship compared with previous years. This trend was highlighted by VTM in an analysis based on Statbel data.
Why Is Belgian Citizenship Increasing?
Migration experts link the significant increase to several key factors.
1. The 2015–2016 asylum and migration crisis in Belgium
Many refugees and migrants who arrived in Belgium during this period have now met the requirements for legal residence and integration. This has allowed them to apply for Belgian citizenship and, in eligible cases, receive approval.
2. Integration, language and employment requirements
Belgian citizenship rules require applicants to meet certain conditions, including legal residence and integration requirements. Depending on the situation, applicants generally need to have lived legally in Belgium for at least five years and meet requirements related to language and social integration.
The Legal and Social Context
Belgian citizenship is an important step toward long-term settlement. It gives citizens full political rights, including the right to vote, as well as access to the rights associated with Belgian and European Union citizenship.
Despite the recent increase in the number of new citizens, Belgian nationality law continues to require applicants to meet specific legal and integration conditions, including requirements related to residence, language and social integration.
Long-Term Impact on Belgium
The increase in the number of people obtaining Belgian citizenship reflects broader demographic and cultural changes in Belgian society.
As the share of residents with foreign backgrounds continues to grow, questions surrounding integration, citizenship and participation in Belgian society are becoming increasingly important for public institutions and communities.
