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Belgian nationality: declaration or naturalisation

A declaration of nationality is the ordinary conditional route. Naturalisation is an exceptional favour granted by the House: its timing and evidence are different.

Understand the process
Last updated Editorial lead : Hiliyeh Bashir7 sources

Naturalisation or declaration of nationality?

A declaration of nationality (Article 12bis) is the ordinary route for people within a statutory category. Naturalisation (Article 19) is an exceptional favour granted by the House for scientific, sporting or sociocultural merit where declaration is practically impossible. Their conditions, decision-maker and timing are not interchangeable.

Official sourceFPS Justice - NaturalisationFPS Justice - Declaration of nationality

Which documents need translation?

The list depends on the category and municipality or, for naturalisation, the House. A foreign record needs translation when it cannot be used directly in an accepted language. Apostille, legalisation or exemption must be checked separately by country and record type; none applies automatically to every document.

Official sourceFPS Justice - National register of sworn translators and interpretersFPS Justice - Legalisation of sworn translationsFPS Foreign Affairs - Legalisation and apostille of documentse-Justice portal - Public documents in the EU

Documents to prepare

  • Confirmed legal route: declaration or exceptional naturalisation
  • Current indexed registration fee checked and paid before filing
  • Records and evidence required for your exact category
  • Authentication checked by country, document and applicable exemptions
  • Sworn translation only of records the municipality or House must read
  • Proof of complete and admissible filing retained

Steps to follow

  1. Determine the access route

    First identify the exact declaration category. Naturalisation is not a substitute for a missing condition: it requires exceptional merit and practical impossibility of acquiring nationality by declaration.

  2. Gather and apostille documents

    Ask the competent authority for the list for your category, then check each foreign record for any exemption, apostille or legalisation requirement.

  3. Have documents translated by a sworn translator

    Use a verifiable professional for records the authority must read and cannot accept directly. The procedure language and authority's requirements override any generic list.

  4. Submit the file at the municipality

    First pay the registration fee at the current indexed amount. Then file the declaration with the municipality, or submit naturalisation through the municipality or to the House under the chosen procedure.

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Frequently asked questions

+What is the difference between naturalisation and declaration of nationality?
The declaration of nationality (article 12bis) is the standard route for long-term residents meeting legal conditions. Naturalisation (article 19) is a favour granted by the House of Representatives for exceptional merits. The vast majority of applications go through the declaration.
+Which documents need sworn translation?
Records the authority must read and cannot accept directly in their language. The list depends on the category and does not automatically include every foreign certificate, diploma or judgment.
+Does the birth certificate need an apostille?
That depends on the country, record type and any exemption, including within the European Union. Confirm the required authentication before ordering translation.
+What are the cost and timeline?
The registration fee, set at EUR 1,000 on 29 July 2025, is indexed every 1 January: check the current amount before payment. Four months concerns the opinion on a complete declaration; naturalisation has no statutory total deadline.
+Can I become Belgian without speaking perfect French?
The law requires A2 level language proficiency (elementary level) of the European Framework in one of the three national languages. This level can be proven by a diploma, a language course certificate or 5 years of work in Belgium.
+What if a document is impossible to obtain (country at war)?
If a document is impossible to obtain due to conflict or the absence of administration in the country of origin, you can request an affidavit of notoriety from the family court. The judge issues a replacement document based on testimonies and indirect evidence.

Official source

Official sources used

The references below are the public sources used to document this page. The competent authority always retains the final decision.

Official sourceFPS Justice - NaturalisationOfficial sourceFPS Justice - Acquisition of nationality: duration and costOfficial sourceFPS Justice - Declaration of nationalityOfficial sourceFPS Justice - National register of sworn translators and interpretersOfficial sourceFPS Justice - Legalisation of sworn translationsOfficial sourceFPS Foreign Affairs - Legalisation and apostille of documentsOfficial sourcee-Justice portal - Public documents in the EU

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