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CertiDocsThe practical guide

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
Editorial lead : CertiDocs Team8 sources

Naturalisation or declaration of nationality?

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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?

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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

What amount should you budget?

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As checked on 3 October 2026, FPS Finance lists a standard duty of €1,030. Confirm the amount for your procedure before paying; attribution of nationality to minors is free. Translation and any municipal charges are separate budget items.

Official sourceFPS Finance - Nationality registration duty and payment evidence

Keep the correct evidence

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Keep the official payment document issued by FPS Finance with its digital signature. Do not rely only on a banking screenshot. Check that it matches the applicant and include it in the file. If missing, check your MyMinfin documents or contact the payment service before the appointment.

Official sourceFPS Finance - Nationality registration duty and payment evidence

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 standard duty listed in 2026 is €1,030, excluding translation and additional fees. Check your category before paying. The four-month period for an opinion on a complete declaration is not a guaranteed overall deadline for every procedure.
+Can I become Belgian without speaking perfect French?
Language evidence and other requirements depend on the legal category. Ask the municipality which evidence is accepted for your declaration route; a translated diploma alone does not establish that all conditions are met.
+What if a document is impossible to obtain (country at war)?
Tell the municipality and your adviser that the record cannot be obtained. The replacement mechanism depends on the document, status and procedure; do not order a translation to replace a record that does not exist.

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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 EUOfficial sourceFPS Finance - Nationality registration duty and payment evidence

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