Becoming a Belgian Citizen: Golden Visa for Investments and Other Options
There was a time when a number of European countries gave out so-called Golden Visas or citizenship in return for investment. Most of these routes have now been removed but there are still some options available. Read more to learn how you can get Belgian citizenship for investment and what other options you may have.
Golden Visa: How to Join the Programme
Belgium does not give out citizenship in return for investment but a golden, or investor’s visa is still a route to citizenship. However, this route will likely take a number of years.
To get a residence permit for investment, you need to start a company in Belgium or invest in an existing one. This serves as a ground to issue you a temporary residence permit, and in three years, you can apply for permanent residency. To apply for citizenship, you need to stay for at least two more years in Belgium as a resident.
There are no specific requirements for the company you open in the country, which makes Belgium different from other countries. Each case and business project are reviewed individually. To start a company in Belgium and get a golden visa, you do not need to prove that you have prior experience with business projects. The main condition is that your company has an office and that it creates jobs.
Your second option is to invest in an existing Belgian company. It must also have an office and create jobs for people.
How Much Do I Need to Invest?
There is no minimum investment size. However, naturalisation experts in Belgium advise you to make an initial investment of at least €200,000, plus additional investments of about €100,000 every year for five years until you apply for citizenship.
You should also pre-budget the process of getting your residency card and the subsequent naturalisation. It amounts, on average, to €230,000 for the main applicant and an additional €20,000 per family member listed on the same application.
Photo: Thomas Konings (Unsplash)
The Benefits of an Investor’s Visa in Belgium
The golden visa option in Belgium is attractive for investors for many reasons. The key benefits are: the investor and their immediate family (spouse and children) can live, work, and study in the country and have access to high-quality medical care.
Temporary residency does not imply living in the country all the time. However, to get permanent residency or citizenship through naturalisation, you do need to be a resident. You need to live in Belgium for at least 180 days per year.
To get citizenship, you’ll also need to demonstrate that you have integrated into society. You’ll need to prove your knowledge of the country’s main laws and also take a language exam in one of the three official languages — German, French, and Dutch (Flemish).
All this effort pays off when you get one of the world’s most powerful passports. In 2023, the Belgian passport ranked seventh most attractive in the world in the annual passport rating by Henley & Partners. The main factor influencing each country’s ranking is the ability to move around the world freely. Belgian citizens have visa-free travel to 187 countries.
Getting Residency through Investment: Paperwork
The list of documents may vary depending on the country of your residence. To find out the precise list of documents needed, contact the Belgian embassy in your country. The usual list includes the following:
- international passport;
- a business plan for opening a new company or for your investments into an existing company;
- a certificate of possession of the funds stated in the investment plan;
- a certificate of marital status (if the spouse or children claim residency along with the main applicant);
- health insurance;
- a police clearance certificate;
- a lease contract for residential real estate in Belgium or a title deed (you need to demonstrate where you are going to live);
- a certificate of a medical check-up.
Once the paperwork is filed, it usually takes about three months until the final decision on whether to grant a residential status is made.
Photo: Freepik
Other Options for Getting Residency in Belgium
If, for whatever reason, the investment path is not suitable for you, there are other options available. Here are the key ones:
- Work visa. You need to get a job offer from a Belgian company willing to file for a work permit for you. You can enter the country with a Type D visa that allows you to stay in the country for more than 90 days. Once you are in, your employer has to act as your representative and file for a work residency permit on your behalf.
- Student visa. You can attend a Belgian university and look for a job in the meantime. This is a good option for integrating into society and making connections. However, your student years do not count as residency time for getting citizenship.
- Marriage to a Belgian citizen. This route takes as long as the investment route. To apply for citizenship, you need to live in Belgium for five years, at least three of which need to be with your Belgian spouse. You will also need to prove your knowledge of a language and the law and demonstrate that you have integrated into the local community economically and socially.
In a Nutshell
Getting Belgian citizenship quickly is not possible. The process takes at least five years and you need to demonstrate that you have become a part of the society, learned at least one of the official languages, and figured out the law. The investment option is attractive because you do not need to look for an employer willing to vouch for you: you can basically create your own job.
Cover photo: Despina Galani (Unsplash)
