The statistics in the chart above are based on Eurostat's Non-national population by group of citizenship, 1 January 2022. An update from Eurostat is expected in March 2024.

According to Eurostat's Migration and migrant population statistics, as of 1 January 2022, there were about 530 100 third-country nationals (TCNs), representing 4.6% of the population, and another 958 000 EU citizens (8.2%) living in Belgium at the time.

According to the Federal Migration Centre Myria, with 15 892 visas granted, family reunification remained the main reason for issuing visas in 2022. Another 8 098 long-stay visas for professional purposes were issued (with a 1% rate of refusal) – to applicants mainly coming from India, Turkey and Morocco. Finally, 10 367 study visas were granted, which represent also 28% of all long-stay visas, with a refusal rate of 24%, and with students coming mainly from China, Morocco, Cameroon, Turkey and India.

According to the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS), 11 061 applicants were granted refugee status (41,1%) or beneficiary of subsidiary protection status (1,9%) in 2022, with a general rate of recognition of 43%. The main countries of origin of beneficiaries of international protection for this year were Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea and Palestine.

In addition, at the end of November 2023, Belgium counted a total of 73 705 non-EU citizens who had fled the war against Ukraine and were under temporary protection – see monthly updates in the numbers of temporary protection beneficiaries on Eurostat.

In 2023, Statbel, the Belgian statistics office, counted 65.5% Belgians of Belgian origin, 21.0% Belgians of foreign origin and 13.4% non-Belgians. Belgium also sees a positive migration In 2022, 233 629 persons immigrated to Belgium while 117 085 left the country. Most TCNs come from former labour partners Morocco, Turkey and the former colony of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Other detailed statistical data is available in the European Migration Network (EMN)’s 2022 country factsheet for Belgium, with insights about the age and gender of TCNs, the most common types of residence permits issued and international protection statistics.

The recent OECD/EC Indicators of Immigrant Integration 2023: Settling In report also provides further breakdowns of the composition of migrant populations and households in Belgium, including in terms of immigration flows by legal category, concentration in densely populated areas, duration of stay and household composition.

To foster the inclusion of migrants, regional governments set up their own integration strategies, which are independent of other regions’ politics but need to comply with the federal framework. Integration programmes are intended for all legally resident migrants, regardless of their status (family reunification permit holders, beneficiary of international protection, etc.). As Belgium is very active through its civil society, some initiatives intended more specifically at certain groups of migrants may take place but they are not implemented systematically – these can be read about in EWSI’s Integration Practices section.

Wallonia was the first to issue a decree setting integration priorities in 1996 for 13 years, followed by a second decree. Both were designed by the Directorate General for Local Authorities and Social Affairs and implemented by the regional Centres for Integration and through local initiatives carried out by public services or NGOs. The top 3 priority areas are:

• social cohesion within an intercultural society
• equal access to services
• social and economic participation

The third decree in 2014 organised the integration of TCNs around a newly introduced integration programme (parcours d’intégration) that includes 120 hours of French language training, 20 hours of citizenship training and professional orientation. The programme became mandatory for newcomers in 2016. Eight main Regional Centers for Integration are in charge of developing and implementing integration programs for Wallonia. They work together with local associations, first-line workers and translators to develop relevant pedagogical approaches. Integration courses are cost-free in Wallonia.

The Flemish interior ministry was the second to design an integration strategy in 2004. The five-year document was implemented by local reception offices and launched the first compulsory integration programme of Belgium with four priorities:

• social orientation, including values and norms
• active citizenship, including rights and duties
• Dutch as a second language
• employment

Other plans followed, including the Policy Brief on Civic Integration and Integration which covered the period 2014-2019. It was again designed by the Flemish interior ministry. Still, it was implemented by several actors and at different levels of government: a regional agency for (civic) integration, local language learning organisations and reception offices.

Integration programs in Flanders are now mandatory for any third-country national over 18 years old intending to settle in for the long term, as well as for Belgian nationals born abroad or with at least one parent born abroad, and religious ministers officially recognised by the region. An administrative fine can be inflicted in case of non-compliance. A June 2022 decree sets a stronger focus on Flanders’ identity. It introduced an exam at the end of the integration course and set the registration fee at €180. After an appeal introduced by several organisations, the Constitutional Court annulled the new provisions that: aimed to increase the required period of residence from 5 to 10 years, demanded civic integration as a prerequisite for accessing health coverage, and prohibited certain categories of residents from accessing public financial support to cover the integration program’s tuition fees.

The capital region Brussels, in addition, has had a migrant integration strategy since 2017. The order, adopted in April 2017, was designed by the Common Community Commission and is to be implemented by the reception offices BON, VIA and Bapa. The strategy organises a compulsory integration programme with the following top three priorities:

• citizenship training
• French or Dutch as a second languages
• social and economic participation

However, given that Brussels hosts both the Flemish- and French-speaking communities, the legislation not only of Brussels but also the Flemish- and French-speaking communities coexist in Brussels. This means in practice that TCNs can choose the integration programme to follow.

Since June 2022, following the integration courses is mandatory for any TCN aged between 18 and 65, and living in Belgium for less than 3 years. Exemptions may be obtained, but a fine ranging from €100 to €2 500 may be administered for non-compliance. Integration courses are free in Brussels.

The German-speaking community issued a decree in 2018, modified in 2020, which makes the integration programmes mandatory for migrants under certain circumstances, such as being a non-EU national and having settled in the region after the promulgation of the decree. Other migrants may attend integration programs voluntarily. As stated in the decree, the integration programs must include:

• language courses
• integration courses
• counselling interviews for socio-professional orientation

The integration courses are operated by the Red Cross and are free.

The regions' integration programmes include all:

• language courses
• civic education
• vocational training

When it comes to asylum seekers’ rights to access services, in addition, they do not immediately have the right to work in Belgium but may be permitted to do so 4 months after they have submitted their application for international protection. Children in status determination procedures between 6 and 18 years are obliged to go to school, and all applicants for international protection have a right to basic assistance such as food, accommodation, and legal and medical help.

Neither the integration programmes nor the integration strategies are officially and systematically evaluated.

However, different associations and research centres have investigated the integration of migrants in Belgium. Integration programmes in general are built in collaboration with political actors, first-line workers and specialised organisations to correspond to the practical needs of newcomers in Belgium. In 2014, a wide analysis of the two existing models of integrations and the role of multilevel governance was published.

The University of Liège (ULiège) and Institut Wallon de l’évaluation, de la prospective et de la statistique (IWEPS) have published a report evaluating integration programmes in Wallonia in 2019.

The Brussels Centre for Social Cohesion conducted a nationwide evaluation of migrant integration journeys in March 2016. Together with the Brussels Center for Intercultural Action (CBAI), they publish annual reports evaluating the effectiveness of integration programmes in the capital, with a focus on the perspective of the beneficiaries. The 2022 report offers a strong focus on housing and employment.

The Flemish Migration and Integration Monitor is a report published in 2018 that aims, among other goals, to assess the integration of migrants in the region. In 2019, Peter De Cuyper led a report for KuLeuven titled ‘An evaluation framework for the Flemish integration policy’. OECD published the report ‘Skills and Labour Market Integration of Immigrants and their Children in Flanders’ in 2023. The recent, major changes to Flanders’ integration strategy yet remain to be documented and evaluated.

In addition, the International Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) points out that in recent years, Belgium has seen both improvements and restrictive changes to its integration policies. With 69 out of 100 points on the MIPEX 2020 scale, the country makes it into the top 10 states and is deemed to have a comprehensive approach to integration which overall guarantees equal rights, opportunities and security to immigrants.

Law on foreigners

The Belgian law on foreigners covers all migrants, including beneficiaries of international protection. The June 2016 amendments limited the legal stay of recognised beneficiaries of international protections to an initial 5 years.

Asylum law

In case of an asylum application, Belgium examines whether the foreigner meets the criteria set out in the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.

The law of 12 January 2007 on the reception of asylum seekers and certain other categories of foreign nationals partially transposes Council Directive 2003/9/EC which lays down the minimum standards for the reception of asylum seekers.

Integration law

Given the de-centralisation of integration, pieces of legislation on integration diverge depending on the region (language community). In Wallonia and Brussels, there is the Walloon code for social action and health, the decree of the French Community Commission and the Ordonnance of the Common Community Commission. Flanders adheres to the decree of 7 June 2013 on Flemish integration and civic integration policy, which was heavily modified in 2022.

Citizenship law

The circulaire of 8 March 2013 introduced new grounds to reject naturalisation applications. The process of naturalisation is detailed in the Belgian Nationality Code.

Anti-discrimination law

Three main laws combat discrimination in Belgium. The Laws of 10 May 2007 fighting certain forms of discrimination clarify the distribution of competencies regarding anti-discrimination in the Belgian federal structure, while the Law of 30 July 1981 punishes racist and xenophobic acts.

In June 2023, the Federal Parliament adopted a law proposal aiming to improve protection against discrimination. By adapting the legal frame to more specific, real situations, the project targets 3 main points :

• improving compensation for victims
• better understanding forms of multiple (or cross-) discrimination
• protecting citizens against discrimination by association or discrimination based on a presumed trait

In the case of a cease-and-desist action, positive measures can be ordered to prevent the recurrence of discriminatory acts, such as the adoption of a diversity policy.

At the federal level, the Asylum and Migration Secretary of State, under the Interior Ministry, leads on migrant integration governance. Within this structure, the Immigration Office grants access to the Belgian territory as well as residence permits. In addition, the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons evaluates asylum applications and issues asylum decisions, while the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers is in charge of their reception and early integration.

There are also 3 regional authorities in charge of integration in Belgium. In Flanders, it is the Agency for Civic Integration, which also analyses integration statistics and organises language courses and socio-professional orientation. Integration is the responsibility of the Directorate General for Local Authorities and Social Affairs in Wallonia and of the French-speaking Community Commission in Brussels.

In addition, local authorities are involved in all integration programmes, particularly in the design of citizenship and language courses. In some cases, they are also involved in the selection of projects to be financed in the framework of the integration strategy.

The Consultative Committee for Foreigners is Belgium’s consultative body on integration. It is made up of 21 individuals, some of whom are representatives of NGOs.

Non-profit organisations and local authorities can apply for financing through several EU funds. In addition, national, regional and private funds are made available for service providers and other stakeholders to carry out projects aiming for a better integration of the migrant population.

Once the national programmes for the 2021-2027 EU funding period are available, the information below will be updated.

EU funds

Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in Belgium

• The Belgian AMIF national programme over the 2021-2027 period is available with a breakdown of the budget per intervention field.

• National managing authority: The integration aspect of AMIF in Belgium is coordinated by the Public Planning Service - Social Integration. 

European Social Fund (ESF) in Belgium

• Details: The ESF contributes over 1.26 million EUR to Belgium over the 2021-2027 period. The funds are divided into different regional operational programmes.
• National managing authority: The managing authorities for the European Social Fund (ESF) in Belgium are:
  • Brussels-Capital Region: Actiris
  • Flanders: Department of Work and Social Economy, a section for the ESF and Sustainable Entrepreneurship
  • German-speaking community: Ministry of the German-Speaking Community
  • Wallonia and the French-speaking community: Agence FSE

Other EU funds for integration available in Belgium

ERASMUS+, the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe

• Flemish community: EPOS (Education and Training), JINT (Youth in Action)
• French-speaking community: AEF Europe (Education and Training), Bureau International Jeunesse (Youth in Action)
• German-speaking community: Jugendbüro

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the EU by correcting regional imbalances

• Brussels-Capital Region: Brussels Regional Public Service (SPRB-GOB)
• Flanders: Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO)
• Wallonia: Public Service of Wallonia – Office of Secretary General

Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), offering material assistance to the most vulnerable or in need

• A 2022 survey allowed to assess the specific profiles of FEAD beneficiaries in Belgium.
• National managing authority: Public Planning Service - Social Integration

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), supporting the development of rural economies and communities

• Flanders: Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
• Wallonia: SPW Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment

Other funds

Other public funding in Belgium

• In Brussels and Wallonia, the Social Cohesion Fund of the French Community Commission provides support to NGO projects dedicated to the fight against discrimination, exclusion and racism.
• In Flanders, the Agency for Internal Public Funding publishes specific calls for projects aimed to support the regional integration policy.

Private funding in Belgium

• The Evens Foundation support projects that promote a diverse and multicultural Europe.
• The Bernheim Foundation finances projects addressing social cohesion and providing civic education to young people
• The King Baudouin Foundation provides funding for promoting social cohesion

Implementing integration programme

• Centre Bruxellois d’Action Interculturelle
• BAPA VIS
• BAPABXL
• Netwerk van onthaalbureaus 
• Netwerk van integratiecentra en integratiediensten
• Red Cross

Providing integration services

• BON
• Ciré

Public institutions for employment and training

• VDAB (Flanders)
• Forem (Wallonia)
• Actiris (Brussels)

Reporting discrimination

• Unia
• Vlaamse Rechent Instituut

Publishing statistics

• Statistics Belgium
• Federal Migration Centre