Belgium: residency, citizenship and cost of living
Paths checked against sources: 2026-11
Path to citizenship
Belgian citizenship is usually obtained by «declaration» after 5 years of legal residence with an unlimited right of residence: you need the language of a region, social integration (a diploma, an integration course or 5 years of work) and economic participation — 468 working days in the last 5 years. Spouses of citizens (after 3 years of living together in Belgium) need no work record; nor does anyone after 10 years of residence, who needs the language and participation in community life. Dual citizenship is allowed. The fee since 2026 is €1,030. The government is introducing a citizenship exam and language instead of A2; we could not officially confirm whether these are already in force. Whether Ukrainians' temporary-protection time counts we could not find — the graph does not count it.
- • 5 years, language, integration and 468 working days
- • 10 years, language and participation in community life
- • spouses of citizens — 5 years with 3 years living together, no work requirement
- • 10 years, language and participation in community life
Citizenship application processing, years: 0.5–1. Some points are not yet confirmed by sources — see the note above.
Check your own pathMonthly budget
Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 11.2026. Deposits, furniture and the move itself are not included.
| City | Single | Family 2+2 |
|---|---|---|
| Brussels | €2,040 | €4,370 |
| Antwerp | €1,840 | €3,640 |
| Ghent | €1,870 | €3,670 |
Country scores (out of 100)
- Safety78
- Earning potential91
- Healthcare90
- Path to citizenship69
- Schools and education72
- Environment86
- Warm, sunny climate42
Frequently asked questions
How do you get citizenship in Belgium, and how long does it take?
5 years, language, integration and 468 working days; 10 years, language and participation in community life; spouses of citizens — 5 years with 3 years living together, no work requirement; 10 years, language and participation in community life. Processing takes 0.5–1 years. The questionnaire shows the timeline for your situation.
How do you get residency in Belgium?
The main routes we cover: Residence (work, study, EU citizen); Residence to join a Belgian spouse. The questionnaire shows which fit you and where they lead next.
How much does it cost to live in Belgium per month?
Per month, one person / family of four: Brussels ≈ €2,040 / €4,370; Antwerp ≈ €1,840 / €3,640; Ghent ≈ €1,870 / €3,670. Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 11.2026.
How much is rent in Belgium?
A home for one person, from modest to comfortable: Brussels €1,080–€1,500; Antwerp €900–€1,080; Ghent €925–€1,120.
How up to date is this data?
Paths to citizenship checked against sources: 11.2026; budget as of 11.2026. Sources are listed on this page; rules change, so check official sites before deciding.
Sources
This is not legal advice. Rules change — check official sources before deciding.