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Baffled by the new "economic requirement" to aquire Belgian Citizenship.
The following below is taken from another q & a on Belgian citizenship on this forum. My questions are below it. I don't know if any one has answers to this point but in anycase, it's a great topic for discussion among expats as I suspect many run into this massive road block of a requirement when looking into attaining Belgian citizenship within the new "requirements" that were instituted in Jan. of 2013. Would love to hear anyones' thoughts, ideas, opinions..etc. Thanks for your time.
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6. If you are working you have to submit the INDIVIDUELE REKENING of the last 5 years (This paper is given by your employer for your tax declaration). You should have worked say for at least 468 days in the last 5 years to show your economic participation.
7. A letter from your current employer stating that you have been working with them since.....and you have a permanent contract for example.
8. Go to REGENSCHAPSTRAAT 54, 1000 Brussels and show your ID card and pay REGISTRATIERECHT amount of Euro 150.
9. Now go to Commune and show all the originals + 2 copies and pay Euro 50.
THAT's IT. Again, it depends from commune to commune.
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Thank you for your comprhensive answer. I'm really troubled by this "work requirement"....Completely negative citizesnship targeted. Difficult at best, and straight racist at worst. So let me see if I'm getting this right. If you cannot find work for that amount of days = not meeting requirement? You have to be kidding with this one.
Take me for example. Given 1 overqualified janitorial job on a 3 month contract. Worked every day of it (while being subjected to horrible harrassment) only to not be extended the contract after 3 months. Since then, zero job hires in 1 year. So when you say..."it depends from commune to commune." What exactly do you imply? That the commune can bend the rules for citizenship? If that is the case then this is a rule that must be bent or abolished all together. I think the entire world of expats wishing to become Belgian citizens would agree with me here!
This "economic rule" is not based on the individual's efforts but rather on outside forces beyond his/her control. What if you can show evidence that you've looked for work for 10 years!? Volunteerism? Helping in the community? You wouldn't be allowed citizenship because none of these racist pigs will hire you? This must be a sick joke that needs attorneys involved.
Thanks for that good info RPPKN.....
My experiences and travels have taken me to many parts of the globe....(an in my experience) coming with an open mind, a willingness to adapt, assimilate, and an overall good attitude...will take one far.
Never have I seen or experienced the utter stifleling of that nature than here. I guess that's a better way of putting it. I didn't relate my comments to anyone in particular, but to this cancer as a whole. I was "wet behind the ears" (as we say) when I first got here. And for that reason alone, was completely taken advantage of. I learned.
So today, I have no problem taking anybody to task as I should have done back then on simple "street smarts" alone.
Anyway, I gather this being an expat forum, it is a place where we can share our thoughts, good and bad, frustrations etc. without judgement.
So in the end, thanks for your time and for your offering. You're a good chap and I wish you well.
@DAV777
The only thing people have been willing to employ you for is cleaning shit. And even then, they didn't think much of you, as you didn't manage to keep that job.
And you want Belgian nationality so you can now have full rights to everything else that Belgians have on that basis?
No. No way. Bugger off.
Nice troll..but I'll bite anyway...What might those "full rights to everything else that Belgians have" ?be (that I don't already enjoy already).
Step across your beloved border on any side of it...(if you dare) and you would not so proudly display your Belgian pride. (Easy on the internets)And that is the whole point of this in the end isn't it?...you pay your dues...and should be encourged to present Belgium in a positve light by way of citizenship.
It is people like you that are the problem. And that is why Belgium is always caught in a never ending conundrum. But take a look outside your window buddy...you're not stopping it one way or the other. Like it or not...YOU will be the minority in 5 years or less if not already.
So bugger off yourself and leave the discussion to the bright ones.
DAV777, I really dont understand why Belgians mind when anyone talk about naturalization issues. They must have to understand that if someone is interested in it, it must have sound reasons behind. Thus, as per my thoughts, its not as difficult, as we think. I am also in the same boat and have paid lots of tax to this country, I am sure even Belgians cant pay in that way but as per my circumstances, I am bound to stay here and I feel, its my right to get this right. Just enjoy....... Barking dogs seldom bite.
No DAV777,
You're the one wanting citizenship
You're articulate and evidently fairly intelligent and well educated
You're the one who is blaming anything and everyone except yourself
You're the one who, despite an almost legalistic command of the English language, hasn't managed to find a job in a city of lawyers, linguists and journalists
You're a nut-case. Go home, get treatment. If no treatment is available, go into politics.
Why would Belgium want an unemployed,partially educated,anti Belgium slightly unstable immigrant as a citizen?.
It is good that there are barriers to exclude people like you. Belgium is a civilized country we don't need loonies.
@NK
I hear ya. After reading some these idiots responses, it's obvious my logic flies way above their petty little minds. I only "look" for work as a way to keep busy..I don't need it from a financial standpoint. After confirming...what I always suspected to be true...I'll continue to build my mind and body instead of continuing to line some beaurocrats pockets.
Don't worry NK...the nationalistic idiots can continue to puff their chests out behind closed doors, but as I said in my last post, it's just false posturing because they aren't stopping us anytime soon.
Enjoy exploiting these imbecils as they take pride in exploiting the uneducated immigrants with no other options.
Good day NK.
@ DAV777
I reckon you would be well funny to go on the piss with! youre like the duracell bunny you just keep going lol love it! hahahaha
please dont change the world needs people like you!!!!
What up Joey? hahaha...I'll raise a tall glass of the best "Dutch" brew in your name mate!
Keep on, keepin on:)
Hi Dav777,
very difficult topic. And very difficult to talk about it.
Yes, Belgians do prefer Belgians on the job market, even in the European part of it and the international companies. Foreigners get the job when there is no Belgian who could do it. Very difficult to prove. But reality. And when you get one, mobbing is a very popular method of correcting the "mistake".
And when you talk about it, you get lots of cynical and spiteful comments, like you did above, even from your fellow xpats.
And it becomes a vicious circle, if you were Belgian, you could find a job, but you can only become Belgian if you had a job (or comply with some other criteria (which probably make sure, that you are economically independent)).
Getting angry might not be the right thing to do, but it releases the frustration and sets free lots of energy. And talking about it helps as well, because among all the s*** answers, there might be one which helps. There are lots of xpats out there in Brussels who just shut up about it and resignate.
So, good luck to you! You seem to be on a good track!
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