Family reunification in Belgium: what changes with the new rules?
Since 2025, the conditions offamily reunificationin Belgium have become stricter, making family reunification of foreigners’ families more complex. Based in Brussels, between Ixelles and Saint-Gilles, our law firmTWAGIRAMUNGU INNOCENThelps you see more clearly these new rules and their implications for your fundamental rights.
A tightening that weakens the right to live as a family
If family reunification remains an essential right allowing foreigners legally residing to bring their spouse and/or children, the federal government’s Easter agreement introducedmore restrictive conditions. These relate in particular to required income, accommodation, length of prior stay and integration pathways.
Concretely, a worker wishing to be joined by his partner and two children will have to provide proof ofnet monthly income of €2,745, or 110% of the guaranteed minimum income, increased by 10% per additional person. He must also have astandard housinghealthiness and surface area. These thresholds particularly penalize families with modest incomes.
Longer and more complex procedures
For families, this means potentially longer procedures and an increased administrative burden. An incomplete file or one submitted too early almost systematically leads to arefusal, prolonging family separation and generating a significant financial and psychological cost.
Our advice for a solid file
Faced with these challenges, careful preparation is essential. We recommend togather as much evidence as possibleincome (pay slips, contracts, certificates), well beyond the minimum required. Also be sure to stabilize your professional situation before submitting the file.
On the housing side, amunicipal certificate of conformityto standards, as well as your lease and your recent invoices, will usefully reinforce your request.
Manage the unexpected well
Despite rigorous preparation, refusal remains possible. In this case, aappeal before the Foreigners’ Litigation Councilis possible within 30 days, based on arguments linked to proportionality and respect for your family life (art. 8 ECHR).
Our experience also shows the importance ofanticipate changes in income(loss of job, transition to part-time) which could weaken a current request.
In conclusion, if family reunification remains possible, it requires more than ever aexpert and tailor-made preparation. With more than 20 years of experience in immigration law, the firmTWAGIRAMUNGU INNOCENTsupports you at every stage, from building a solid file to managing a possible appeal.
Located in the heart ofBrussels, the latter will know how to assert your fundamental rights in a strategic and human way.Contact usnow to benefit from initial personalized advice and take your steps calmly.