Efforts to make integration programmes mandatory for newcomers to Brussels have finally reached a conclusion. Attending an integration programme is already mandatory for newcomers to Flanders and Wallonia, and in January 2022 the Brussels Parliament passed an ordinance to make integration programmes in the Brussels region effectively mandatory.

Now, the Brussels minister in charge of the issue, Alain Maron (Ecolo), has announced the release of €1 185 000.000 by the Brussels government to guarantee the activation of this decision from 1 April 2022. As Brussels is under the jurisdiction of both the French-speaking and Flemish communities, the COCOF (French-speaking region) has increased the number of available reception places from 4 000 to 6 000. The Flemish region offers 4 000 places. 

This obligation will concern all adult newcomers, aged between 18 and 65, who:

• possess a residence permit lasting longer than three months;
• are registered in the foreigners' register of a Brussels municipality;
• have been living in Belgium for fewer than three years.  

Those to whom this applies should contact the BAPA (reception office for newcomers) or the Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering.

Further useful information can be found online here and here.