The priority of the new coalition agreement in the field of migration is clear: the number of asylum seekers must fall. To this end, the government will implement the strictest migration policy ever. According to PM Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist), it is also the ‘strictest you can have in Europe’. The rules will also become stricter for other newcomers.
Migration should once again become a ‘positive story’ the new government says. This ‘can only happen if migration is controlled’. The focus should be on work and study migration and ‘people who add direct value’ to our society.
Migration is a story of rights and duties, politicians often stress. The new coalition agreement introduces extra duties and fewer rights.
For instance, newcomers cannot claim social security benefits during their first five years in Belgium. Refugees fleeing war will be given a residence status with fewer rights. Applicants who want a permanent residence permit must have work and pass a language test.
Fewer rights for those fleeing war
The new government wants to make it less attractive for asylum seekers to come to Belgium. Today, in Belgium, people in need of protection are mainly given the status of a recognised refugee. This must change, the coalition agreement states.
People fleeing war should henceforth be given subsidiary protection status. The rights linked to that status will be scaled back.
For instance, it will become more difficult for them to bring their families to Belgium. They will also get fewer resources to start a life here.
The limited residence permit for all refugees will be applied more strictly. If the situation in the country of origin changes, holders’ files will be reopened with a view to a possible return.
On arrival, the mobile phone and other devices of each asylum seeker will immediately be examined to detect any possible fraud. People who refuse to hand over their devices will in principle be refused.
The practice should help to establish the correct arrival date. Applicants who do not apply for asylum immediately may be refused.
In addition, the government is counting on the European Migration Pact. It aims to distribute asylum seekers fairly among EU countries. Countries that do not want to receive asylum seekers can make a financial contribution. The coalition agreement states that Belgium may choose that option.
The European migration pact does not enter into force until mid-2026. So, for now, it remains to be seen what the effect will be. Moreover, asylum figures remain difficult to predict.
Only applicants at reception centres and those ending up on the streets to receive food
Asylum seekers are entitled to board and lodging and guidance upon registration. But Belgium has been struggling with a reception places problem for 3 years now, resulting in single men ending up on the streets.
The new government promises to provide basic assistance for single men on the streets from now on, including food, medical help and legal guidance. Today, it’s mainly local voluntary organisations that are taking on this task.
If fewer new asylum seekers arrive in Belgium, the government wants to greatly reduce the number of reception places.
Small-scale reception in cities and municipalities will disappear. Only ‘austere’ collective reception places will remain in time. The government does promise to retain a number of buffer places in case the influx rises again.
The government also wants to discuss emergency places for recognised refugees with the regional authorities. Refugees often stay too long in asylum shelters because they cannot find rental housing to start with. Housing is a regional (Flemish, Brussels and Walloon) responsibility.
Benefits only after 5 years and strict conditions to obtain permanent residence
Newcomers will not be able to receive social security support, until they have been in the country for at least 5 years.
Subsidiary protected persons fleeing war and Ukrainians can no longer receive the ‘living wage’ or minimum subsistence benefit but will get a lower amount. If they integrate sufficiently, a bonus may be added.
For recognised refugees, a waiting period is not allowed under European rules. If they receive the living wage, i.e. minimum subsistence benefit, they will have to follow a more intensive integration path. If they do not, their benefit will be reduced.
In addition, after five years of residence in Belgium, newcomers will only be granted a permanent residence permit if they meet strict conditions. For example, they must first pass a language test and they can’t be living on benefits.
People who want to become Belgian nationals must pass a nationality exam and pay ‘substantially’ more. Moreover, nationality can be denied in the case of a threat to public order. It is not clear what exactly this means and who judges it.
Longer wait for family reunification
A lot of newcomers come to Belgium through the family reunification procedure. Conditions will be tightened up for those who want to reunite with partner and children.
A waiting period of 1 to 2 years will be introduced for labour migrants. Interestingly, the waiting period does not apply to highly skilled labour migrants.
A waiting period for family reunion is not possible for recognised refugees, due to European rules. Today, they are given a 1-year period to complete their application, for family reunion without strict income and housing conditions. That period will be shortened to six months.
Subsidiarily protected persons (war refugees) lose the right to an extended waiting period. From now on, they will also have to wait at least 2 years before family reunification is possible.
