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From the age of 18, a person can submit a voluntary and personal application for Belgian nationality.
This is referred to as acquiring Belgian nationality.
From 01.01.2013, Belgian nationality can be obtained in 2 ways:
- via a nationality declaration (various options);
- by naturalisation.
Every procedure has corresponding, specific conditions. Submitting the application does not automatically result in the acquisition of Belgian nationality.
IMPORTANT: from 01.01.2013, only those who have their principal residence in Belgium, on the basis of legal residence (with registration in the population register), can submit an application to obtain Belgian nationality. In other words, if you reside in Canada, this procedure is not available to you.
Belgian nationality by marriage
According to the Belgian law, marriage does not automatically give the right to Belgian nationality. Certain conditions must be satisfied. One of these conditions is to live in Belgium. The Consulate General of Belgium in Montreal can therefore not receive any declaration of acquisition of Belgian nationality concerning spouses of Belgian nationals whose main residence is in Canada.
