---
title: "Belgium Spouse of a permanent resident 2026: €2,457+/mo needed"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/family-reunification-thirdcountry/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Belgium · Spouse visas

# Belgium Spouse of a permanent resident

**Income needed:** €2,457+ a month ≈ $2,740

Family reunification with a third-country national with an unlimited right of residence (Article 10), spouse or registered partner

Checked against official sources on 12 Oct 2026 [Record corrected 12 Oct 2026](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/corrections/#change-be-family-reunification-thirdcountry) [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **Income needed:** €2,457+ a month ≈ $2,740 (Income of at least EUR 2,456.97 a month (≈ $2,740) · Net monthly means of the sponsor: at least 110% of the guaranteed average minimum monthly income, which the Immigration Office gives as EUR 2,456.97 net a month (amount indexed on 1 July 2026), increased by 10% for each additional dependent family member. Social assistance, integration income and family allowances do not count. Income below the amount does not bring an automatic refusal: the Immigration Office then assesses what the household needs. Income of at least EUR 2,217.47 a month (≈ $2,480) · Earlier rules only (the sponsor was admitted to stay in Belgium before 18 August 2025 and the application is filed by 18 August 2027): 120% of the integration income, EUR 2,173.88 net a month as indexed on 1 March 2026 and EUR 2,217.47 from 1 September 2026. A fee of EUR 218 (≈ $240) · Administrative fee paid to the Immigration Office for a D visa for family reunion (applications from 1 January 2026); not due for applicants under 18. A fee of EUR 250 (≈ $280) · Visa handling fee for a long-stay (D) visa, applicable from 1 July 2026.)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals.)
- **Family:** Family can join (Minor children can join; the income test does not apply if only minor children join.)

## Key facts

Spouse of a permanent resident is a spouse visas route for Belgium. Applicants need income of €2,457+ a month ≈ $2,740. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.

- **Money needed:** €2,457+ a month ≈ $2,740
- **Government fees:** €218 ≈ $240 · €250 ≈ $280
- **Processing:** Up to 270 days

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: 2 government fees listed below; income to show €2,457+/mo ≈ $2,740; decision: up to 270 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: €218 ≈ $240 · €250 ≈ $280**

- EUR 218 (≈ $240) Administrative fee paid to the Immigration Office for a D visa for family reunion (applications from 1 January 2026); not due for applicants under 18.
- EUR 250 (≈ $280) Visa handling fee for a long-stay (D) visa, applicable from 1 July 2026.

**Shown, not spent: €2,457+/mo ≈ $2,740 · €2,217+/mo ≈ $2,480**

- EUR 2,456.97 a month (≈ $2,740) Net monthly means of the sponsor: at least 110% of the guaranteed average minimum monthly income, which the Immigration Office gives as EUR 2,456.97 (≈ $2,740) net a month (amount indexed on 1 July 2026), increased by 10% for each additional dependent family member. Social assistance, integration income and family allowances do not count. Income below the amount does not bring an automatic refusal: the Immigration Office then assesses what the household needs.
- EUR 2,217.47 a month (≈ $2,480) Earlier rules only (the sponsor was admitted to stay in Belgium before 18 August 2025 and the application is filed by 18 August 2027): 120% of the integration income, EUR 2,173.88 (≈ $2,430) net a month as indexed on 1 March 2026 and EUR 2,217.47 (≈ $2,480) from 1 September 2026.

**Renewal: Renewable**

The right of stay is limited for the first 5 years after the permit is issued, then becomes unlimited.

[Moniteur belge](https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&table_name=loi&cn=1980121530)

**Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence**

Long-term resident status after 5 years of legal, uninterrupted stay in Belgium with stable means and health insurance. Temporary-purpose stays do not count and study time counts at half.

[Moniteur belge](https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&table_name=loi&cn=1980121530)

**Citizenship: After 5 years of residence**

Belgian nationality by declaration needs 5 years of legal main residence, proof of a national language, social integration and economic participation.

[Belgian Official Gazette](https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&table_name=loi&cn=1984062835)

**Processing: Up to 270 days**

The decision is due within nine months of the filing date; in exceptional cases it can be extended twice by three months.

[Moniteur belge](https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&table_name=loi&cn=1980121530)

**Where to apply: From abroad**

The long-stay D visa is requested at the Belgian embassy or consulate.

[Embassy of Belgium, New Delhi, Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs](https://inde.diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/2023-09/Visa%20D%20for%20family%20reunion%20with%20non-EU%20spouse%20(art.%2010&10bis).pdf)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Applications are made from outside Belgium, not after arriving
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports
- Only from age 21

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- The sponsor has an unlimited right of residence and has been admitted to stay in Belgium for at least two years.
- The two-year wait is one year if the family ties existed before the sponsor arrived in Belgium.
- The spouse and sponsor are both over 21 years old.
- These are the rules of the Law of 18 July 2025, in force since 18 August 2025.
- The earlier rules still apply to applications filed up to 18 August 2027 when the sponsor was admitted to stay in Belgium for more than three months before 18 August 2025: a 12-month wait, age 18 for couples married before the sponsor arrived, and means of 120% of the integration income.
- A registered partner needs one year of cohabitation, or 2 years of relationship with 3 meetings totalling 45 days, or a child in common.
- A polygamous sponsor cannot be joined by a further spouse.
- The sponsor has adequate housing and health insurance covering the risks in Belgium for the family.

#### What you must show

- The sponsor has stable, regular and sufficient net means of at least 110% of the guaranteed average minimum monthly income, EUR 2,456.97 (≈ $2,740) a month as indexed on 1 July 2026.
- The administrative fee for a family reunion D visa is EUR 218, (≈ $240) paid to the Immigration Office before applying.
- The visa handling fee is EUR 250 (≈ $280) for long-stay applications from 1 July 2026.

#### Documents

- Copy of the sponsor's residence permit, marriage certificate and proof of ownership or registered lease.
- Medical certificate and criminal record certificate of the applicant.

#### Steps

1. Apply for the long-stay D visa at the Belgian embassy or consulate.

## When you become tax resident

How Belgium decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Tax residence:** Domicile means the place where a person effectively and permanently resides; for married persons or legal cohabitants it is the place where the household is established.
- **Foreign-source income:** Belgian tax residents declare income received worldwide, including foreign-source income, taxed in progressive brackets of 25%, 40%, 45% and 50% (income year 2026: 25% up to EUR 16,720, (≈ $18,700) 50% above EUR 51,070 (≈ $57,100)).

[All tax rules for Belgium](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026

## What you need to arrange

- **Health insurance** The sponsor has adequate housing and health insurance covering the risks in Belgium for the family
- **Accommodation** The sponsor has adequate housing and health insurance covering the risks in Belgium for the family
- **Police certificate and civil documents** Copy of the sponsor's residence permit, marriage certificate and proof of ownership or registered lease

Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.

**Full official text**

For the spouse or registered partner of a non-EU national who has an unlimited right of residence in Belgium. It gives a long-stay D visa and a residence permit, subject to the sponsor's income, housing and insurance. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

#### What you must show and pay

- Income of at least EUR 2,456.97 a month (≈ $2,740) · Net monthly means of the sponsor: at least 110% of the guaranteed average minimum monthly income, which the Immigration Office gives as EUR 2,456.97 (≈ $2,740) net a month (amount indexed on 1 July 2026), increased by 10% for each additional dependent family member. Social assistance, integration income and family allowances do not count. Income below the amount does not bring an automatic refusal: the Immigration Office then assesses what the household needs. (sources 5, 1)
- Income of at least EUR 2,217.47 a month (≈ $2,480) · Earlier rules only (the sponsor was admitted to stay in Belgium before 18 August 2025 and the application is filed by 18 August 2027): 120% of the integration income, EUR 2,173.88 (≈ $2,430) net a month as indexed on 1 March 2026 and EUR 2,217.47 (≈ $2,480) from 1 September 2026. (source 5)
- A fee of EUR 218 (≈ $240) · Administrative fee paid to the Immigration Office for a D visa for family reunion (applications from 1 January 2026); not due for applicants under 18. (source 3)
- A fee of EUR 250 (≈ $280) · Visa handling fee for a long-stay (D) visa, applicable from 1 July 2026. (source 4)

#### Requirements

- The sponsor has an unlimited right of residence and has been admitted to stay in Belgium for at least two years. (source 1)
- The two-year wait is one year if the family ties existed before the sponsor arrived in Belgium. (source 1)
- The spouse and sponsor are both over 21 years old. (source 1)
- These are the rules of the Law of 18 July 2025, in force since 18 August 2025. (sources 6, 5)
- The earlier rules still apply to applications filed up to 18 August 2027 when the sponsor was admitted to stay in Belgium for more than three months before 18 August 2025: a 12-month wait, age 18 for couples married before the sponsor arrived, and means of 120% of the integration income. (sources 6, 5)
- A registered partner needs one year of cohabitation, or 2 years of relationship with 3 meetings totalling 45 days, or a child in common. (source 1)
- A polygamous sponsor cannot be joined by a further spouse. (source 1)
- The sponsor has adequate housing and health insurance covering the risks in Belgium for the family. (source 1)
- The sponsor has stable, regular and sufficient net means of at least 110% of the guaranteed average minimum monthly income, EUR 2,456.97 (≈ $2,740) a month as indexed on 1 July 2026. (sources 5, 1)
- The administrative fee for a family reunion D visa is EUR 218, (≈ $240) paid to the Immigration Office before applying. (source 3)
- The visa handling fee is EUR 250 (≈ $280) for long-stay applications from 1 July 2026. (source 4)
- Copy of the sponsor's residence permit, marriage certificate and proof of ownership or registered lease. (source 2)
- Medical certificate and criminal record certificate of the applicant. (source 2)
- Apply for the long-stay D visa at the Belgian embassy or consulate. (source 2)

#### Stay

- The residence permit follows the family reunification decision.

#### Nationality

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

#### Family

Minor children can join; the income test does not apply if only minor children join.

Checked 2026-10-12

## Official sources

1. [Law of 15 December 1980 on access, residence, settlement and removal of foreigners, Articles 10, 10bis and 40ter](https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&table_name=loi&cn=1980121530) · Moniteur belge (Justel) · checked 2026-10-11
2. [Visa D for family reunion with a non-EU spouse (Articles 10 and 10bis)](https://inde.diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/2023-09/Visa%20D%20for%20family%20reunion%20with%20non-EU%20spouse%20(art.%2010&10bis).pdf) · Embassy of Belgium, New Delhi, Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
3. [Administrative fee for long-stay (D) visa applications, amounts from 1 January 2026](https://japan.diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/2026-01/Administrative%20fee.pdf) · Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
4. [Visa fees: handling fee for long-stay visas from 1 July 2026](https://unitedarabemirates.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-belgium/visa-belgium/visa-fees) · Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Stable, regular and adequate means of subsistence (family reunification): reference amounts, new-rules amount indexed on 1 July 2026](https://dofi.ibz.be/en/stable-regular-and-adequate-means-subsistence) · Immigration Office (DOFI) · checked 2026-10-12
6. [Gezinshereniging met een niet-EU/EER vreemdeling met onbeperkt verblijf (family reunification with a third-country national with unlimited stay; the English version is under construction)](https://dofi.ibz.be/nl/themes/third-country-nationals/family-reunification/third-country-national/gezinshereniging-met-een) · Immigration Office (DOFI) · checked 2026-10-12
7. [Code of Belgian nationality (Art. 12bis: acquisition by declaration after 5 years of legal residence)](https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&table_name=loi&cn=1984062835) · Belgian Official Gazette (Moniteur belge / Federal Public Service Justice) · checked 2026-10-11

## Spouse of a permanent resident and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Spouse of a permanent resident | Needs income of €2,457+ a month ≈ $2,740 | – | – |
| [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/spouse-of-citizen/) | Needs income of €2,457+ a month ≈ $2,740 | – | – |
| [Spouse of a work-permit holder](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/spouse-of-single-permit-holder/) | Needs income of €2,457+ a month ≈ $2,740 | – | – |
| [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/spouse-of-citizen/) Portugal | – | – | – |
| [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/family-reunification/) Spain | Needs income of €900+ a month ≈ $1,010 | – | Yes |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Spouse of a permanent resident?

Income of at least EUR 2,456.97 a month (≈ $2,740). Net monthly means of the sponsor: at least 110% of the guaranteed average minimum monthly income, which the Immigration Office gives as EUR 2,456.97 (≈ $2,740) net a month (amount indexed on 1 July 2026), increased by 10% for each additional dependent family member. Income of at least EUR 2,217.47 a month (≈ $2,480). Earlier rules only (the sponsor was admitted to stay in Belgium before 18 August 2025 and the application is filed by 18 August 2027): 120% of the integration income, EUR 2,173.88 (≈ $2,430) net a month as indexed on 1 March 2026 and EUR 2,217.47 (≈ $2,480) from 1 September 2026. A fee of EUR 218 (≈ $240). Administrative fee paid to the Immigration Office for a D visa for family reunion (applications from 1 January 2026); not due for applicants under 18. A fee of EUR 250 (≈ $280). Visa handling fee for a long-stay (D) visa, applicable from 1 July 2026.

### How long can I stay on the Spouse of a permanent resident?

The residence permit follows the family reunification decision.

### How long does the Spouse of a permanent resident take to process?

The decision is due within nine months of the filing date; in exceptional cases it can be extended twice by three months.

### Can I bring my family on the Spouse of a permanent resident?

Minor children can join; the income test does not apply if only minor children join.

### Who can apply for the Spouse of a permanent resident?

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

### Does the Spouse of a permanent resident lead to permanent residence in Belgium?

Time on the Spouse of a permanent resident counts toward permanent residence in Belgium, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Spouse of a permanent resident counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence.

### How are Spouse of a permanent resident holders taxed in Belgium?

No special regime in our records is tied to the Spouse of a permanent resident. The standard rules apply: Belgian tax residents declare income received worldwide, including foreign-source income, taxed in progressive brackets of 25%, 40%, 45% and 50% (income year 2026: 25% up to EUR 16,720, (≈ $18,700) 50% above EUR 51,070 (≈ $57,100)). Non-residents are taxed only on Belgian-source income.

## More in Belgium

[Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/working-holiday/) [Innovation & Startup permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/innovation-startup-permit/) [Self-employed professional card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/professional-card/) [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/eu-blue-card/) [Researcher permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/researcher-hosting-agreement/) [Highly qualified work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/single-permit-employment/) [Intra-company transfer permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/ict-single-permit/) [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/belgium/student-visa/)

## Spouse and partner visas elsewhere

[🇬🇪 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) [🇮🇹 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) [🇬🇷 Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/spouse-of-citizen/) [🇫🇷 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) [🇬🇧 Fiancé visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/fiance-visa/) [🇳🇱 Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/spouse-of-citizen/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-12 against 7 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Law of 15 December 1980 on access, residence, settlement and removal of foreigners, Articles 10, 10bis and 40ter](https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&table_name=loi&cn=1980121530) · Moniteur belge (Justel) · checked 2026-10-11
2. [Visa D for family reunion with a non-EU spouse (Articles 10 and 10bis)](https://inde.diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/2023-09/Visa%20D%20for%20family%20reunion%20with%20non-EU%20spouse%20(art.%2010&10bis).pdf) · Embassy of Belgium, New Delhi, Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
3. [Administrative fee for long-stay (D) visa applications, amounts from 1 January 2026](https://japan.diplomatie.belgium.be/sites/default/files/2026-01/Administrative%20fee.pdf) · Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
4. [Visa fees: handling fee for long-stay visas from 1 July 2026](https://unitedarabemirates.diplomatie.belgium.be/en/travel-belgium/visa-belgium/visa-fees) · Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
5. [Stable, regular and adequate means of subsistence (family reunification): reference amounts, new-rules amount indexed on 1 July 2026](https://dofi.ibz.be/en/stable-regular-and-adequate-means-subsistence) · Immigration Office (DOFI) · checked 2026-10-12
6. [Gezinshereniging met een niet-EU/EER vreemdeling met onbeperkt verblijf (family reunification with a third-country national with unlimited stay; the English version is under construction)](https://dofi.ibz.be/nl/themes/third-country-nationals/family-reunification/third-country-national/gezinshereniging-met-een) · Immigration Office (DOFI) · checked 2026-10-12
7. [Code of Belgian nationality (Art. 12bis: acquisition by declaration after 5 years of legal residence)](https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/cgi_loi/change_lg.pl?language=fr&la=F&table_name=loi&cn=1984062835) · Belgian Official Gazette (Moniteur belge / Federal Public Service Justice) · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.