Marriage to a citizen of Belgium does not grant you citizenship automatically. Nevertheless, it might simplify the citizenship application process.
You can apply for a “Family reunification” visa if you marry a citizen of Belgium and are not an EU member. You and your spouse are able to live in Belgium with this visa. You can be qualified to apply for Belgian citizenship after spending at least three years there.
To be eligible for citizenship, you must meet certain requirements, including:
Apply for a Family Reunification visa: As a non-EU citizen, you must submit an application for a Family Reunification visa in order to travel to Belgium with your Belgian spouse. You and your spouse are able to live in Belgium with this visa.
You will need to provide supporting papers with your application, including your Family Reunification visa, language proficiency certificates, and a certificate of good conduct, to demonstrate your eligibility. It could take a while for your application to be processed after you submit it, and you might have to go to an interview as well.
It’s important to keep in mind that the application process for Belgian citizenship by marriage can be drawn out and complicated, so it’s advised that you speak with an experienced immigration lawyer or counselor to help you manage the process.
Although getting citizenship by marriage does not guarantee it, in some circumstances it may make the process simpler.
The length of your legal residence in Belgium must be at least three years (or five years if you are not married to a Belgian citizen) before you may apply for citizenship. There is no minimum amount of time that you must have been married to a Belgian citizen.
Yes, you must have a basic command of either Dutch, French, or German in order to become a citizen of Belgium.
The requirements for citizenship include proving that you have integrated into Belgian society, being clear of all criminal convictions, and passing a test on Belgian politics, history, culture, and society.
It may take several months to finish the application procedure, and it can take even longer for a decision to be made regarding your application.