BELGIUM (ON HOLD)
A UNIQUE STRUCTURE FOR ACQUIRING EU CITIZENSHIP
BELGIUM: RESIDENCY AND CITIZENSHIP
Belgium offers entrepreneurs and business owners a potential route to acquire Belgium residency and ultimately citizenship. There is no official programme but rather a legal framework that offers investors the possibility to do this.
Belgium requires prospective investors to invest in the country, either through establishing a local company or being seconded by a foreign company operating in Belgium. A significant portion of the investment includes the funds required to established the business, as opposed to being invested into real estate or donated, as required by some of the other EU countries.
After 6 years it is possible to potentially achieve citizenship. Spouse and dependent children can be included in the application.
There are no minimum physical stay requirements, no language tests and no long residency periods in order to acquire European citizenship through Belgium’s programme.
Immediate freedom of travel to all the Schengen countries with residency card.
Same rights as any EU national to live, work, study anywhere in the EU, including Switzerland.
INTERESTING INFORMATION
Belgium is a founding member of the Eurozone, NATO, OECD and WTO.
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
Dutch, French, German
CAPITAL
Brussels
MEMBER
UN, EU, Eurozone, IMF, OECD, OSCE, NATO, CE, G9, G10, EIB, ICC, OPCW, WHO, WTO.
CURRENCY
Euro
POPULATION
11 250 585 (2016 est)
TOTAL AREA
30 528 km2 (11 787 sq mi)
GDP per capita
44 881 USD (2016)
Dialling Code
+32
Belgium is not a traditional residency or citizenship program but rather we file bespoke applications with the government.
INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS
RESIDENCY
All applications for residency and citizenship are decided by the authorities on a case-by-case basis.
In order to apply for residency in Belgium, the applicant must prove certain ties to Belgium. These may be of a business / professional and / or of a personal nature. Setting up or investing in / purchasing a Belgium company or being employed by a Belgium company can be used to show such ties.
Initially a residency permit is applied for and is subject to annual renewal at least in the first 3 years, after which a residency permit of unlimited duration could already be issued. Sometimes the renewals can be valid for 2 years.
CITIZENSHIP
Citizenship can be declared after 5 years of residency (legal stay), however this will depend on a case by case basis.
The applicant will need to prove sufficient knowledge of a local language (Dutch, French or German), as well as show economic and social integration. It is possible in some cases where proof of knowledge of the local language is not required.
NOTES:
Belgium has a unique provision in the legislation that says after 10 years of residency (legal stay) in Belgium, a resident can declare Belgium Nationality and will only have to prove sufficient knowledge of a local language and his participation in the community of stay. This provides significant security to clients with regards to ultimately acquiring EU citizenship.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
No requirement to relocate to Belgium
Citizenship offers the same rights as any EU national to live, work, study anywhere in the EU
Immediate freedom of travel to Schengen countries with residency card
Citizenship allows visa free travel to 172 countries
No minimum stay requirements but visits required
Dual citizenship allowed
Children can be included in the application
CITIZENSHIP
Belgium allows dual citizenship. South Africa also allows dual citizenship provided an application is made to the Department of Home Affairs.
TRAVEL AND BENEFITS
Belgium residency allows freedom of travel to all the Schengen zone countries and the holder can live in Belgium.
Belgium citizenship allows the holder the right to live, study and work anywhere in the European Union. Belgium is a full EU member and therefore with a Belgium citizenship, investors and their families have the same rights as any other EU nationals.
A Belgium passport allows visa free travel to more than 170 countries.
FAMILY REGROUPING
Belgium is a family friendly country and allows the spouse and dependent children to be included in the application.
In order to determine the best route for your family, please speak with one of our advisers.
TAX
Belgium offers an investor-friendly environment to anyone investing in an existing Belgium business or through a Belgium (holding) company investing in foreign businesses.
The Belgium holding company tax regime is one of the most favourable in Europe. The extensive tax treaty network allows investors to take advantage of tax planning opportunities with the establishment of a company in Belgium.
In 1 January 2007, Belgium amended its tax legislation so that withholding tax on the payment of dividends is no longer levied on a Belgium subsidiary whose parent company is situated in a country with which Belgium has concluded a tax treaty that contains a certain exchange of information provision.
Special regulations can apply to key managers and directors. These individuals are treated as foreigner residents in Belgium. However, they are taxed only on income actually earned within the territory of Belgium. Income earned outside Belgium is in some cases not taxable at all.
Belgium is commonly misunderstood from a tax perspective and is in fact a discreet tax haven for affluent individuals who do not need to live off employment income.
Although Belgium ranks near the top of the list of the OECD for its high standard tax rates, through appropriate tax planning, it can be a very attractive country.
Please note, we strongly encourage clients to obtain professional tax advice.
BELGIUM - COUNTRY INFORMATION
Officially known as the Kingdom of Belgium, Belgium is a federal monarchy in central Europe. Often referred to as the capital of Europe, Belgium is a founding member of the European Union and is also host to the headquarters of several major international organisations such as NATO. It is also seen as one of the most attractive European countries in terms of business, taxation, residence and citizenship. Belgium is both part of the Schengen agreement and is a full EU member country offering citizens the security and benefits of being part of the EU.
Belgium has a multilingual population of around 11 million people and is politically and economically stable. The two main linguistic groups are the Dutch speaking Flemish community, and the French speaking Belgium. The community of German speakers is also officially recognised. The head of state is the King of Belgium who rules with limited power as the country is based on a constitutional monarchy with a federal parliament split into a Senate and Chamber of Representatives.
Rich in cultural and historical heritage, Belgium is an attractive destination for investors and business owners as it plays a central role as one of the world’s largest trading nations. The country also offers tax incentives to encourage investment in the country. Belgium offers a relatively straightforward path to residency and ultimately citizenship provided the prescribed requirements are adhered to.
