The Federal Migration Center, Myria, disclosed that a total of 48,482 individuals were granted Belgian citizenship in 2022, marking a 24% increase from the previous year. On average, 2.6 out

of every 100 foreigners within the country acquired Belgian nationality last year. The data highlighted that Iraqis and Syrians held the highest likelihood of becoming Belgian citizens in 2022.

Among those gaining citizenship, 4,842 Moroccans, accounting for 10% of this demographic, were followed by Syrians (3,615) and Romanians (2,791). One-quarter of the new Belgian citizens originated from the EU. Moreover, the number of Turks obtaining Belgian citizenship (1,797) nearly doubled compared to the figures from 2021.

Challenges in the Process

Myria identified two key issues within the existing procedure. Firstly, individuals unable to read or write encounter obstacles in attaining Belgian citizenship as proficiency in speaking and writing in one of the national languages is required.

"This legal prerequisite excludes individuals who are fully integrated and proficient in verbal communication but lack mastery in written language," stated Myria. Additionally, the Constitutional Court ruled in March 2023 that the exclusion of certain illiterate groups from Belgian citizenship was discriminatory.

Myria also highlighted that parents on parental leave face potential discrimination as the requirement for "continuous employment" is crucial for acquiring nationality through declaration. The Constitutional Court emphasized the need to ensure that parents on parental leave are not disadvantaged in their pursuit of Belgian citizenship to safeguard their right to family life. Photo by Editer132w, Wikimedia commons.