Latest numbers confirm a drop in new Belgian passports

Last year showed a major decline in the number of passports issued to ‘new Belgians.’ As previously reported in the Bulletin, the number of new passports dropped significantly to only 5,000 in 2013, compared to 45,000 the year before. The reduction is directly linked to tougher measures implemented to make becoming a Belgian more difficult than before.

The old rules enabled people to fast track through the system, but that is no longer the case. A part from having to speak at least one of the nation’s official languages, applicants must have spent at least five years living in the country on a permanent residence permit. They also must have worked at least two years, taken integration courses, or have completed a degree.

The new measures were put in place to prevent abuse of the system, and to better integrate newcomers to Belgium.