Immigration

Belgium | Registration for EU nationals and family reunification

Summary

Major changes have been implemented at the federal level in the registration process for EU nationals, introducing stricter requirements and shorter deadlines for document submission. Family reunification rules have also been updated, including higher income thresholds, more stringent age and housing requirements, and stricter criteria for demonstrating a durable relationship.

The detail

Registration procedures in Belgium for EU Nationals

EU citizens intending to stay in Belgium for more than three months will now only be able to request a temporary registration document (Annex 19) from the local town hall if they immediately submit all required supporting documents proving their right to free movement within the EU.

The current system, which allows applicants to provide missing documentation within three months (extendable by one month), will be abolished.

Applications for a temporary registration document submitted before 1 September 2025 (even if still pending on and after that date) will continue to be processed under the old rules.

Impact for employers

Although registration is not an employer obligation, helping employees prepare the required documents in advance can ensure a smoother relocation and onboarding experience.

Family reunification

Several amendments to family reunification legislation came into force in the summer of this year. However, not all applicants are immediately subject to the new rules. We previously discussed the draft law in this regional alert, and will reiterate the most important effective changes. Furthermore, a two-year transition period applies, with specific provisions for new applications and renewals depending on the category of applicant.

1. Key substantive changes

• Proof of sustainable and sufficient means: The reference income is now set at 110% of the average minimum guaranteed income (instead of welfare living wage). In 2025, this equals EUR 2,323.08 net/month, with an additional 10% required per accompanying family member (except when only minor children accompany the applicant).
• Age requirement: Both partners must now be at least 21 years old at the time of application.
• Housing requirement: A new requirement is introduced, but the concrete standards will only be defined by a forthcoming Royal Decree.
• Proof of sustainable relationship: Registered or assimilated partnerships are no longer automatically considered equivalent to marriage. Partners must now provide evidence of a genuine and durable relationship.

2. Transition rules

New applications

• Family members of Belgian nationals: The new rules apply only to applications submitted on or after 18 August 2027.
• Family members of EU nationals: If the EU national already had residence rights in Belgium before 18 August 2025, the old rules apply until 18 August 2027. Otherwise, the new rules apply immediately (from 18 August 2025).
• Family members of third-country nationals:
  • If the sponsor obtained residence rights on or after 18 August 2025, the new rules apply immediately.
  • If the sponsor obtained residence rights before 18 August 2025, the old rules continue to apply, provided the application is submitted before 18 August 2027.

Renewals

• Granted before 18 August 2025: Old rules continue to apply for renewals, even if the family member arrives after that date.
• Granted between 18 August 2025 and 18 August 2027:
  • If reunification was granted under the old rules → extensions remain under the old rules, but from 18 August 2027, the new rules apply to all renewals.
  • If reunification was granted under the new rules → extensions remain under the new rules.
• Granted on or after 18 August 2027: All renewals are subject to the new rules.
• Note: The impact of the new renewal rules is limited for family members of Belgians and EU nationals, since they typically receive a 5-year residence card.

This summary does not cover the following categories:

• Beneficiaries of subsidiary protection
• Beneficiaries of temporary protection
• Holders of humanitarian regularisation status
• Holders of unlimited residence
• Stateless persons

3. Recent administrative measure

In a recent turn of events, the Belgian Immigration Office has recently introduced administrative measures to make the family reunification processing times easier and faster for certain categories of foreign workers. These measures specifically target spouses and minor children of highly skilled employees and other selected worker categories, aiming to eliminate the recently re-introduced distinction in processing times between the main applicants’ Visa D applications, and their family members’ visa D applications (see our previous alert).

This new measure allows embassies to deliver again an ‘ex officio’ Visa D in cases of family reunification applications, for certain categories of main applicants.

Who benefits?

• Highly skilled workers and EU Blue Card holders
• Intra-corporate transferees on long-term assignments
• Researchers, with or without a hosting agreement
• Postdoctoral researchers
• Professional athletes and coaches
• Employees under an international agreement
• Labour migrants who earn at least EUR 5000 gross

If one cannot be exempted under any of the categories above, the general family reunification monthly net income threshold applies as follows (see point 2):

• Main applicant who received a single permit before 18 August 2025: €2,131.28 per month
• From 18 August 2025 onward: €2,323.08 per month, with an additional 10% per dependent

In conclusion, we observe a more restrictive approach in recent legislation regarding family reunification. The heightened requirements will result in fewer individuals meeting the eligibility criteria for family reunification. At the same time, the Immigration Authorities have reduced the situations in which additional processing times are applied to Visa D applications for family members. This relaxation ensures that certain applications benefit from the ex officio issuance of the Visa D.

How we can help

Although family reunification is not a formal employer responsibility, it is often one of the most critical aspects of an employee’s relocation journey. Delays, rejections, or unclear requirements can create stress for employees and their families, which in turn may affect assignment success, productivity, and retention.

As your immigration provider, we support both you and your employees by:

• End-to-end guidance for employees and their families: We ensure employees understand exactly which documents must be prepared upfront, what timelines apply, and how the transitional measures impact their specific situation. This reduces the risk of incomplete applications and subsequent rejections.
• Proactive compliance monitoring: We track the evolving legal framework, including transitional deadlines (e.g. the key cut-off date of 18 August 2027) and upcoming Royal Decrees (such as the housing requirement). This enables us to alert you in advance and ensure applications are filed on time and in line with the latest rules.
• Employer support and HR coordination: We work closely with HR, mobility, and talent teams to anticipate potential challenges and ensure employees relocating with their families receive timely support. Additionally, we can also advise upfront on the salary requirements, important for both the single permit process and the family reunification and how to include this in the employment contract and translate it in the payroll. A smooth family integration experience often translates into higher employee engagement and satisfaction.
• Regular updates and insights: As uncertainties around interpretation or further implementing measures arise, we keep you informed with clear, practical updates — helping your teams stay ahead of regulatory changes without needing to navigate the complex legal details themselves.

By combining compliance expertise with a focus on employee experience, we help employers safeguard assignments, strengthen employee trust, and reduce the risk of disruptions caused by immigration challenges.

Contact us

For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:

Ajshe Miftari
Director

Silke Van Bauwel
Manager

Yentl Alaerts
Senior Associate

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