Belgium Spouse of a citizen

For the non-EU spouse or registered partner of a Belgian citizen who has not used EU free movement. It gives a long-stay D visa and a residence right in Belgium, subject to the Belgian sponsor's income, housing and insurance. ^{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 Belgian 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. ^{5 1}
• 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. ³
• A fee of EUR 250 (≈ $280) · Visa handling fee for a long-stay (D) visa, applicable from 1 July 2026. ⁴

Requirements

• Applicant is the spouse or registered partner of a Belgian citizen and accompanies or joins the Belgian. ¹
• Both partners are over 21 years old, or 18 if the marriage took place before the visa application. ^{1 2}
• A registered partner under a legal cohabitation shows a stable relationship: one year of living together, or two years of knowing each other with three meetings totalling 45 days in those two years, or a child together. ⁶
• The sponsor has adequate housing and health insurance covering the risks in Belgium for the family. ¹
• The Belgian 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. ^{5 1}
• The administrative fee for a family reunion D visa is EUR 218, (≈ $240) paid to the Immigration Office before applying. ³
• The visa handling fee is EUR 250 (≈ $280) for long-stay applications from 1 July 2026. ⁴
• Copy of the Belgian spouse's ID card and authenticated civil status proof such as the marriage certificate. ²
• Proof of the sponsor's income, health insurance and housing (title deed or registered lease). ²
• A criminal record and a medical certificate are not required for the spouse of a Belgian national. ²
• Apply for the long-stay D visa at the Belgian embassy or consulate using the Visa on Web form. ²
• The residence right can be ended within five years if the conditions are no longer met. ¹

Stay

• Residence right recognised after the D visa; it may be ended within five years if the conditions stop being met.

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

Children under 18 or dependent, and parents of a minor Belgian, can also 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 · Moniteur belge (Justel) · checked 2026-10-11
2. Family reunion with a Belgian (long-stay visa D) · Belgian Office Taipei, Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
3. Administrative fee for long-stay (D) visa applications, amounts from 1 January 2026 · Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
4. Visa fees: handling fee for long-stay visas from 1 July 2026 · 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 · Immigration Office (DOFI) · checked 2026-10-12
6. Family reunification with a Belgian national who has not exercised his right to free movement (article 40ter) · Immigration Office (DOFI) · checked 2026-10-12
7. Code of Belgian nationality (Art. 12bis: acquisition by declaration after 5 years of legal residence) · Belgian Official Gazette (Moniteur belge / Federal Public Service Justice) · checked 2026-10-11