Belgium Investor Visa

Often, when people think about golden visas in Europe, they think of sunny countries in the south. However, there are several other countries that aren’t quite as warm and sunny that also have very desirable immigration by investment visa programs.

Belgium is one of those countries, and because so many people do want to know what their European relocation options are, we’ve put together this guide to the Belgium investor visa program.

What is the Investor Visa Program in Belgium?

Like other countries in Europe that have immigration by investment programs, Belgium offers an easier route to immigration to high-net-worth people who are willing to invest in their country. In return for their investment, successful applicants and their families get permanent residence in the country, and if they continue to meet immigration requirements, can eventually apply for citizenship.

Eligibility For Belgium Residence

There are specific requirements for the Belgium investor visa, but before you can even apply for that program, you need to meet the universal immigration eligibility requirements set by the Belgian government. These include:

• The main applicant must be over the age of 18
• You and any accompanying family members must have a clear criminal record and you must not have committed any immigration infractions in any other country
• You must generally have a good character, and not be a security risk to the country or it’s people
• You must visit the country in person
• You must prove that you are able to financially support yourself and any accompanying family members
• If you are applying as an investor, you must have relevant business experience

When you apply for the Belgium investor visa, the immigration authorities in Belgium will verify that you meet minimum eligibility before they start working on the rest of your application, and you will have to provide documentation to verify everything you say in your application.

Investment Requirements for Investor Visa Program in Belgium

Once you have met the general immigration requirements for Belgium, you still have to prove that you meet the investor visa specific requirements, which include:

• At least 200,000 Euros to invest in an existing business or start a new one
• Your business should have a Belgian office, and ideally, your business should create jobs and stimulate the local economy
• Your business must also be incorporated in Belgium
• You will need to make an additional investment when you choose to pursue citizenship in Belgium

Unlike other countries, there are no hard and fast rules about how much you need to invest in Belgium to get a Belgium investor visa. The immigration department assesses each application individually, and will look at your experience in business, how much you have to invest, how much you have to support your family while you are in the country, and what the impact of your business will be.

While this is beneficial in some ways, it does make ensuring that your application will be successful a little more complicated.

Required Documents for Investor Visa Program in Belgium

Like any immigration application, the process to become a resident in Belgium is complex and requires a lot of documentation! You will need to provide:

• Proof of European citizenship if you are an EU citizen
• Proof of your identity
• A copy of your passport
• Proof of your financial resources for both the investment and for supporting yourself and your family in the country
• Proof that you have adequate health insurance for yourself and your family
• Proof of accommodation or a plan for where you will live in the country
• Police clearances or proof of character if you are not an EU citizen
• Proof of a medical / health check up by a doctor that is accredited by the Belgian government

If you are applying with your family, you will need to provide similar documentation for all members of your family that will be accompanying you to Belgium.

It’s important to note that for any immigration application, most documents will need to be either originals or certified or notarized copies. Some documents might also only be valid for a certain time from when they are issued, and in most cases, if your documents are not in English or a Belgian official language, you will need to have them translated as approved by the Belgian government.

Fees Investor Visa Program in Belgium

The fees for a Belgian investor visa are considerably lower than for many other immigration programs, at just 180 Euros for the application itself and 20 Euros for the residence certificate.

Additional fees may apply if you are bringing family members along with you, and fees can change from time to time, so be sure to check the Belgian government site before submitting your application.

What are the benefits of Investor Visa Program in Belgium?

Becoming a resident of Belgium has several benefits, including:

• Visa free travel to most countries in the EU, and eventually, if you become a citizen of Belgium, the 7th most powerful passport in the world
• Belgium allows dual citizenship, so if you become a citizen, you don’t have to renounce your own country’s citizenship (provided they also allow dual citizenship)
• You can bring your spouse, children, and parents along when you move to Belgium
• A great education system if you do bring children with you
• Belgium has a favourable individual and corporate tax structure
• The Belgian property market and economy are strong

Belgium is also a very stable country, and one that has a lot of activities and attractions to offer visitors and tourists alike – so you’ll never be short of things to do!

Step-By-Step Guide to Belgian Citizenship

Getting Belgian citizenship after you successfully apply for a Belgian investor visa is a separate process, that will work as follows:

• Invest in a new business or buy an existing company
• Complete your Belgium investor visa application and successfully get a residency permit
• Include all the information about your investment and business in your application
• Move to Belgium and run your business
• Ensure that you continue to meet all immigration requirements during your stay
• After five years, apply for citizenship
• Pass a German, French or Dutch language test
• Become a citizen!

The Belgian process for residency and citizenship is actually one of the easiest and most straightforward in Europe. There are very few hard and fast restrictions, and each case is adjudicated individually.

About Belgium

Belgium (or at least the region that is now called Belgium) has been occupied by people a lot longer than Europe itself existed.

It has been home to everyone from the Gauls to the Dutch, Spanish, and Germans, but it wasn’t until the war of independence in 1830 that the Kingdom of Belgium as we know it today came into being.

So, while the country itself is relatively new, every inch of it is covered in millennia of history and culture.

The country is wedged between France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Luxemburg, and only has a small section of coastline on the Atlantic. It is divided into three provinces, and has several large cities, including the capital of Brussels.

Brussels is also where the headquarters of the European Union is located, and is an important cultural, financial, and political centre for the whole continent.

Culture

Belgium, like much of western Europe, has been immersed in arts and culture for centuries, and there is still a very strong love for creative and artistic pursuits.

You will find many museums and galleries throughout the country displaying artworks from centuries old grand masters to contemporary trendsetters.

There are many cultural festivals in Belgium every year, and most cities and towns will celebrate national and regional holidays with special events. Many of the festivals that do happen still have elements of how those days were marked throughout history too, so this is a great way to get to see how Belgium might have been in the past.

Some of the better-known Belgian festivals include the Carnival of Binche, the Carnival of Aalst and the Processional of Giants and Dragons.

Belgian food is also groundbreaking – both historically and today. In fact, if you love French fries, you can thank the Belgians for inventing them!

When it comes to sports, football (or as the Americans call it, soccer) is the national sport and tops the list of favourites. Cycling, tennis and car racing are also favourites and sports that Belgium has performed well in over the years.

It’s not surprising that a country that has been a huge part of Europe’s history has a rich and diverse culture, and no matter what you’re interested in, you will almost certainly find it represented here.

Economy

Belgium has a very strong economy and has for a very long time. It is located right at the heart of Western Europe and is pivotal in the regional and international economy because of it.

The country is highly industrialized, and in fact, was the first place that the Industrial Revolution happened. Belgium also has strong chemical and petrochemical sector, but is also very involved in science and technology, and has a very highly educated population.

Environment

Belgium is mostly flat and is one of the less agriculturally arable countries in Europe. Which means that they don’t produce as many crops per square kilometre as other countries in the area.

As far as their environmentally friendly record goes, they are currently ranked second in the EU, and as of 2016, they recycled an amazing 77% of their total waste in the country!

Government

Like many countries today, Belgium is what is called a “constitutional monarchy.” This means that while there is a royal family, they are largely figureheads, and most day-to-day decisions about running the country is taken care of a separate government.

The political system in Belgium is very complex, and there are three main parties or groups that routinely hold power: Christian Democrats, Liberals and Social Democrats.

In spite of the political complexity in Belgium, the country is generally seen as very stable and is quite liberal in terms of the laws and regulations that hold sway.

FAQ

How many people live in Belgium?

There are currently about 11.2 million people who call Belgium home.

Is unemployment in Belgium high?

No. Belgium only has about 2.9% unemployment, and they currently have negative inflation too, so it’s a great place to make a home!

Do a lot of people in Belgium speak English?

In the big cities, you will find many people who speak English, but the official languages are French, German and Dutch, so it’s worth learning one (or more) of those if you plan to stay for a longer period of time!

How long does it take to get a Belgium investor visa?

You can probably go from your initial investment to having a permit issued in about 4 or 5 months if you are from an EU country. If you are from a country outside of the EU, that might take longer, depending how much paperwork needs to be checked and verified.

What are the biggest cities in Belgium?

The five biggest cities in Belgium are Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi, Liege and Brussels.

What kind of legal status do you have in Belgium with an investor visa?

If you successfully apply for a Belgium investor visa, you will be a permanent resident of Belgium, as will your accompanying relatives. This gives you and them the right to live, work and study in any part of the country that you choose to make your home.

Contact Us

Smart Citizenship has been helping people to make new homes in different countries for many years, and our team specializes in golden visa or immigration by investment programs.

If you think that Belgium is the best place to move to, we’d love to answer any questions you have, and if you need help preparing an application, we can help with that too! Talk to us about your immigration needs and let us help you make your Belgium investor visa dreams come true!