How can I become a Belgian citizen? Is living here for 5 years enough?
In short
Not on its own. As well as 5 years of legal residence, there are requirements on language (at least A2), social integration and work. After 10 years of legal residence, the work requirement no longer applies.
Video transcript
You've lived legally in Belgium for 5 years. You think citizenship will come automatically. It depends: Not on its own. On the 5-year route there are conditions: language (at least A2), social integration and 468 working days in the last 5 years. The right way: First pay the registration fee via MyMinfin (1.030 € in 2026), then make a declaration at the municipality. After 10 years' legal residence, no work condition. Careful: Prosecutor: Can object within 4 months; Fraud or false info: Citizenship withdrawn; Previous citizenship: Depends on the country.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- You apply by making a declaration of nationality (nationaliteitsverklaring / déclaration de nationalité) to the registrar of the municipality where you live. The public prosecutor can issue a negative opinion within 4 months.
- The 5-year route: you must be at least 18 and have lived in Belgium with legal residence for 5 years. You must also prove that you know one of the national languages at least at A2 level.
- On the 5-year route there is a social integration requirement (a diploma, a course of at least 400 hours or an integration programme) and a work requirement: you must have worked at least 468 days in the last 5 years.
- The 10-year route: you only need to prove 10 years of legal residence, your language skills and your participation in your local community. On both routes, you must have the right of unlimited residence when you apply.
- Before making the declaration, you pay a registration fee (registratierecht / droit d'enregistrement) to FOD Financiën (via MyMinfin). In 2026 it is 1.030 €, and it is indexed every year on 1 January. Your municipality may also charge an administrative fee.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- No penalty. However, citizenship obtained through fraud, false information or identity fraud can be withdrawn by a court (vervallenverklaring / déchéance).
Legal basis:WBN 28.6.1984, art. 23 §1, 1°
- Court / prison
- No prison sentence. Using forged documents is a separate offence.
Legal basis:Strafwetboek Boek II, art. 451 + WBN 28.6.1984, art. 23 §1, 1°
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- People who did not acquire Belgian citizenship at birth from a Belgian parent can lose it if they are convicted of certain serious offences
Legal basis:WBN 28.6.1984, art. 23/1 §1
- Your residence must be continuous; stays abroad of up to 6 months are not a problem as long as they do not add up to more than one fifth of the total period
Legal basis:WBN 28.6.1984, art. 7bis §1, §3
- When you become a Belgian citizen, some countries let you keep your previous citizenship, while others withdraw it automatically. Ask your consulate about your country's rules and report your new citizenship if necessary.
Legal basis:5901 s. TVK, md. 44 + TVK Uygulama Yönetmeliği, md. 81, 83/6
Why does this rule exist?
The rule aims to grant citizenship to people who have genuinely settled in Belgium, learned the language and taken part in society.
Where can you go?
- Municipal population officeChange of address, identity card and residence card
- Neighbourhood police officerAddress check (wijkagent / agent de quartier)
- Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.
This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses
Source and reliability
Official source- Source check
- 14 / 14 statements in an official source
- Checked: 13.10.2026
- Last checked
- 13.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 14 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Beyan ana ikamet belediyesindeki nüfus memuruna verilir
Wetboek Belgische nationaliteit art. 15 §1 (Justel, bijgewerkt 10-03-2026) - Found in an official source
Savcı 4 ay içinde olumsuz görüş verebilir
WBN art. 15 §3 - Found in an official source
18 yaş, 5 yıl yasal oturum (art. 12bis §1, 2°)
WBN art. 12bis §1, 2° - Found in an official source
Dil bilgisi en az A2
WBN art. 1 §2, 5° - Found in an official source
Sosyal uyum: diploma, 400 saat kurs veya uyum programı
WBN art. 12bis §1, 2°, d) - Found in an official source
Ekonomik katılım: son 5 yılda en az 468 iş günü (veya 6 çeyrek bağımsız prim)
WBN art. 12bis §1, 2°, e) - Found in an official source
10 yıl yolu: dil + topluma katılım
WBN art. 12bis §1, 5° - Found in an official source
Beyan anında süresiz oturum gerekir
WBN art. 7bis §2, 1° - Corrected according to the source
Kayıt harcı 2025'te arttı (150 € → 1.000 €, ikincil kaynak) ve endekslenir; kartta tutar verilmedi
Stad Lokeren – Aanvraag Belgische nationaliteit; Burgerzaken Vlaanderen – Themabericht Belgische nationaliteit (23.04.2026); Gemeente Denderleeuw – Nationaliteitsverklaring; Circulaire 2026/C/47 (19.03.2026, AAPD) via OECCBB-samenvatting - Found in an official source
Hile, yanlış bilgi, kimlik sahteciliğiyle alınan vatandaşlık düşürülebilir
WBN 28.6.1984, art. 23 §1, 1° - Found in an official source
Doğuştan Belçikalı ebeveynden almayanlar ağır suç mahkûmiyetinde (≥5 yıl ertelenmemiş hapis vb.) vatandaşlığı kaybedebilir
WBN 28.6.1984, art. 23/1 §1 - Found in an official source
Oturum kesintisiz; 6 aya kadar yokluk, toplam 1/5'i aşmamak şartıyla
WBN 28.6.1984, art. 7bis §1, §3 - Corrected according to the source
Önceki vatandaşlık bazı ülkelerde düşmez; yeni vatandaşlığın o ülkenin nüfusuna bildirilmesi gerekebilir
5901 s. TVK, md. 44 + TVK Uygulama Yönetmeliği, md. 81, 83/6 - Found in an official source
Sahte belge ayrı suç (seviye 3); hileyle alınan vatandaşlık düşürülebilir
Strafwetboek Boek II, art. 451 + WBN 28.6.1984, art. 23 §1, 1°
The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.
General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?