Best Citizenship by Investment Lawyers in Hasselt

About Citizenship by Investment Law in Hasselt, Belgium

Belgium does not offer a citizenship by investment program. There is no legal route to purchase Belgian nationality through a direct investment, donation, or government bond. If you see offers that promise a Belgian passport in exchange for a fixed investment, treat them as misleading.

Investors can pursue residence in Belgium through legitimate immigration routes, such as setting up and operating a business, obtaining a work permit or single permit as a highly skilled employee, or being authorized for self-employed activity. After meeting residence and integration conditions over time, eligible residents may apply for Belgian nationality. Hasselt is in the Flemish Region, where economic migration and many practical steps for business and work authorization are managed at the regional level.

This guide explains how investment and business activity can support lawful residence and a future citizenship application, what local rules apply in Hasselt and Flanders, and when legal counsel can help you move forward confidently.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A lawyer can clarify that Belgium has no citizenship by investment and help you choose a lawful route that matches your goals, timeline, and family situation. Typical reasons to engage counsel include assessing eligibility for residence as a self-employed person, company director, highly skilled worker, researcher, or EU Blue Card holder, structuring and documenting a viable business plan that meets Flemish economic interest criteria for a professional card, coordinating company formation and regulatory compliance in Flanders, preparing and filing a professional card application for self-employed activity or a single permit application for employment, managing family reunification and dependent status, responding to requests for evidence and appeals if an application is refused, aligning immigration steps with tax planning, social security, and source-of-funds and anti-money laundering compliance, and planning the transition from temporary residence to long-term residence and ultimately to a nationality application.

Local counsel in or near Hasselt understands Flemish authorities, the City of Hasselt procedures for population registration and residence cards, language and integration requirements in Dutch, and how regional economic migration officers assess applications.

Local Laws Overview

Nationality law. The Code of Belgian Nationality governs who can become Belgian. There is no direct citizenship by investment. Most foreign nationals who are not Belgian by birth obtain citizenship by declaration after a period of legal residence, integration, and economic participation. Naturalization is exceptional and not designed as an investment route.

Residence and immigration. The Law of 15 December 1980 on access to the territory, residence, establishment, and removal of foreigners and its implementing rules set the federal immigration framework. Economic migration is a regional competence. In Flanders, authorizations for employment and self-employment are handled by Flemish authorities.

Self-employed route in Flanders. Third-country nationals who wish to work as self-employed usually need a professional card. The Flemish authority assesses the economic added value of your planned activity, your qualifications, and the viability of your business plan. Evidence commonly includes a detailed business plan, financial projections, contracts or letters of intent, and proof of funds. If approved, you can obtain a residence permit tied to your self-employed activity.

Employment route and single permit. Many investors first obtain residence as a director or employee of a Belgian company under a highly skilled category, EU Blue Card, or other work authorization. In Flanders, the single permit combines work and residence authorization. Employers must meet salary thresholds and qualification criteria for the category used.

Company formation. Investors frequently incorporate an SRL or BV in Belgium. A notarial deed, a robust financial plan, and appropriate share capital aligned with the business needs are required. Registration with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, a business counter, VAT, and social security follows. Legal and accounting support is essential to avoid compliance gaps.

Municipal registration in Hasselt. After receiving a visa or authorization, you must register your main residence at the City of Hasselt and undergo a residence check. Registration is key for obtaining your electronic residence card, starting the clock on legal residence for nationality, and accessing services.

Integration and language. For citizenship by declaration after a qualifying residence period, you must show integration and knowledge of a national language. In Flanders, Dutch language knowledge and proof of social integration or economic participation are expected. Many applicants use certificates from an official civic integration trajectory or recognized education to document integration. Language at a basic level is generally required, and higher proficiency can strengthen your file.

Economic participation. Applicants typically need to demonstrate real ties to the Belgian economy through employment, self-employment with social security contributions, or other qualifying activities defined by law. A lawyer can advise which type of evidence best fits your profile.

Absences and continuity. Belgian nationality by declaration is based on legal main residence over time. Prolonged absences and deregistration from the population register can disrupt continuity. Plan travel and postings carefully and consult counsel before extended stays abroad.

Compliance, tax, and AML. Banks, notaries, and authorities apply strict anti-money laundering checks. You must substantiate the origin of funds used for business capitalization or investment. Becoming a Belgian tax resident generally means worldwide income is taxable in Belgium, subject to double tax treaties. There is no wealth tax, but there are various federal, regional, and local taxes. Pre-immigration tax planning coordinated with immigration steps can avoid surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Belgium offer citizenship by investment?

No. Belgium does not sell citizenship and has no citizenship by investment program. Lawful paths are based on residence, integration, and ties to Belgium.

Can investment help me obtain Belgian citizenship eventually?

Yes, indirectly. Investment can support a residence permit by enabling a genuine business or employment in Belgium. After meeting residence, integration, and economic participation requirements, you can apply for citizenship by declaration.

How long must I live in Belgium before I can apply for citizenship?

Many applicants are eligible after five years of legal residence as their main residence, combined with integration and economic participation. Some applicants follow a longer route if they cannot evidence economic participation. Individual timelines vary.

Is there a minimum investment amount that qualifies?

No. There is no statutory investment threshold that grants citizenship. For residence based on self-employment, authorities assess the credibility and economic value of your business, not a fixed sum.

Does buying real estate in Hasselt lead to residence or citizenship?

Buying property does not by itself grant immigration status or nationality. Property ownership can be part of your life in Belgium, but you still need a valid residence basis such as work, self-employment, studies, or family.

What language level do I need for citizenship if I live in Hasselt?

You must show knowledge of a national language at a basic level. In Hasselt and the Flemish Region, Dutch is standard, but the law accepts any national language. Official certificates or recognized diplomas are commonly used as evidence.

Can my spouse and children join me if I move to Hasselt for business?

Often yes. Family reunification rules allow spouses, registered partners meeting conditions, and minor children to join, provided you meet income, housing, and insurance requirements. Processing times and conditions differ by status.

Will long trips outside Belgium affect my future citizenship application?

They can. You must maintain your main residence in Belgium and stay registered. Extended absences or deregistration may break the continuity needed for nationality. Discuss planned absences with your lawyer before you travel.

Does Belgium allow dual citizenship?

In most cases, yes. Belgium generally permits dual nationality. You should also check whether your current country allows it.

What documents are typically needed to start?

Expect to provide a valid passport, recent criminal record extract, civil status documents, proof of funds and source, a business plan or employment contract, qualifications, health insurance, and proof of accommodation. Documents often need legalization or apostille and certified translation.

Additional Resources

Belgian Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs for visas and consular matters.

Immigration Office of the Federal Public Service Home Affairs for residence rules.

City of Hasselt population and immigration services for local registration and residence cards.

Flemish Department of Work and Social Economy, Economic Migration team for single permits and work authorization.

Agentschap Innoveren en Ondernemen in Flanders for self-employed professional card and business support.

Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering and Huis van het Nederlands Limburg for integration and Dutch language pathways.

Federal Public Service Finance and the Limburg tax office for tax registration and guidance.

Order of Flemish Bar Associations and the Limburg Bar for finding licensed lawyers.

Notaries in Limburg for company incorporation and notarial acts.

Next Steps

Clarify your goal. Decide whether your primary aim is residence for business and family life, or a long-term path to nationality. Set a realistic timeline.

Get a legal assessment. Consult an immigration and business lawyer experienced in Flanders to map the best route, whether self-employed, employment based, or a hybrid strategy.

Build a compliant plan. If self-employed, prepare a robust business plan, financial projections, and evidence of economic value in Flanders. If employed, coordinate with a Belgian employer on the correct permit category.

Assemble documents. Gather passports, civil status records, criminal records, diplomas, proof of funds, and translations. Start language learning early, ideally Dutch if you will live in Hasselt.

Incorporate and register. If needed, incorporate a Belgian company, open a bank account, register with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, enroll for VAT if applicable, and set up social security and accounting.

File the right applications. Submit a professional card application for self-employment or a single permit for employment. Plan for processing times and follow up on any requests for additional evidence.

Register locally. Upon arrival, register your main residence at the City of Hasselt, complete the residence check, and obtain your electronic residence card. Keep your registration current.

Stay compliant. Maintain insurance, pay taxes and social security, renew permits on time, and document integration and economic participation. Keep records of employment or self-employment contributions.

Plan for nationality. After you meet residence, language, integration, and economic participation requirements, work with your lawyer to prepare a well documented citizenship declaration at your municipality.

Important note. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Belgian and Flemish rules change and individual situations differ. Always obtain advice tailored to your case before acting.