Best Golden Visa Lawyers in Ciney

About Golden Visa Law in Ciney, Belgium

Belgium does not operate a classic golden visa program. There is no automatic residence permit in exchange for a passive investment such as real estate or government bonds. Instead, Belgium offers residence pathways based on genuine economic activity, employment, study, family reunification, and long term stay. For investors and entrepreneurs, the most relevant routes are usually self-employed residence through a professional card in the Walloon Region, company formation with an active managerial role, or employment based options such as the Single Permit or the EU Blue Card. Ciney is in the Walloon Region, so Walloon rules and authorities apply alongside federal immigration law.

If you are exploring a golden visa style option in Ciney, you are likely looking at establishing or acquiring a business, taking a director or managerial role with Belgian payroll, or qualifying as a self-employed professional whose activity creates economic value in Wallonia. These routes can lead to temporary residence, renewable permits, and eventually long term residence if statutory conditions are met. Buying a home in Ciney can be part of your relocation plan, but property purchase alone does not grant residence rights.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Golden visa style plans often involve multiple legal areas at once. A lawyer can help you select a compliant pathway, avoid delays, and manage risk. Common situations where legal help is valuable include setting up or acquiring a Belgian company, preparing a solid business plan for a self-employed residence application, structuring your role as a company director or key employee to meet work authorization criteria, coordinating the immigration process for family members, aligning tax residence and social security positions, and managing timelines for municipal registration in Ciney and national filings.

Lawyers familiar with Walloon practice can also liaise with regional authorities on the professional card, guide you through due diligence and anti-money laundering checks, review notarial deeds for company incorporation, draft employment contracts or management agreements that meet regional work authorization rules, and coordinate with the Commune of Ciney for local registration and residence card issuance.

Local Laws Overview

Belgium applies a mix of federal immigration law and regional competence for economic migration. Key pillars that affect golden visa style strategies in Ciney include the federal law on access to the territory and residence for third country nationals, the Single Permit regime for employees that combines work and residence authorization, and Walloon Region rules for self-employed activity and the professional card. In Wallonia, non EU or EEA nationals who wish to work as self-employed typically need a professional card issued by the regional administration based on the economic utility of the project, the viability of the business plan, and compliance with public order and health requirements.

Company law is federal and is set out in the Code des sociétés et des associations. Common vehicles include the SRL form for limited liability companies. Incorporation generally requires a notarial deed, a robust financial plan, registration in the Belgian company register, and compliance with the UBO register. If you intend to live in Ciney, you will register at the Commune after arrival on a long stay visa. A local address, police verification, health insurance, and proof of means are standard elements.

Employment routes rely on regional authorization for work followed by residence at the federal level. The Walloon administration evaluates whether the role meets skills or salary thresholds. The EU Blue Card may be an option for highly qualified roles that meet education and salary criteria. Tax law is federal with regional elements for certain duties and incentives. Moving to Belgium can have tax residence consequences if your center of life shifts to Ciney. Plan for personal and corporate tax, social security contributions, and any local registration duties associated with real estate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Belgium have a golden visa program?

No. Belgium does not grant residence in exchange for passive investment. Investment based stays must be tied to real economic activity such as self-employment, entrepreneurship, or employment under regional and federal rules.

Can I obtain residence by buying property in Ciney?

No. Property purchase does not confer immigration status. You still need a valid basis for residence such as employment, self-employment with a professional card, study, or family reunification.

What is the professional card in Wallonia and who needs it?

The professional card is the Walloon authorization for non EU or EEA nationals to carry out self-employed activity in the region. It is required for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and company directors who operate as self-employed. The application is assessed on economic utility, viability, and compliance. Approval allows you to apply for a residence permit linked to your activity.

How does the Single Permit work for employees?

The Single Permit combines a work authorization issued at the regional level with a residence authorization issued at the federal level. An employer in Belgium sponsors the application. Once approved, you receive the right to live and work in Belgium for the approved role.

Can I set up a company in Ciney and get residence as a director?

Yes, but not automatically. You may pursue a self-employed route with a professional card as a managing director, or an employee route if your role is structured as employment and meets regional criteria. The company must be real, active, and capable of supporting the role. Authorities will assess substance, business plan, financials, and economic relevance to Wallonia.

How long does the process take?

Timelines vary by route and case complexity. Self-employed authorizations and Single Permit cases often take several months from a complete file to decision, followed by visa issuance and municipal registration in Ciney. Early planning helps avoid gaps.

Can my family join me?

Eligible family members can usually apply for family reunification once you hold a valid Belgian residence card with sufficient resources and suitable housing. Spouses or registered partners and minor children are the most common beneficiaries. Processing and document requirements apply.

What are the main documents for a self-employed application?

Expect to provide a detailed business plan, proof of qualifications or professional experience, corporate documents if applicable, financial projections, evidence of funds, police clearance, medical certificate, and health insurance. Exact requirements are set by the Walloon administration and can vary by activity.

Does this lead to permanent residence or citizenship?

Belgium allows long term residence after continuous lawful stay, typically after five years if conditions are met. Citizenship by naturalization is also possible after five years of legal residence with language and integration requirements. Time spent in Belgium must be genuine and continuous, with proof of economic participation and integration.

Will I be taxed in Belgium if I move to Ciney?

If you become a Belgian tax resident, your worldwide income is generally taxable in Belgium subject to double tax treaties. Company profits, director fees, dividends, and real estate income all have specific rules. Proper structuring and timely registrations for VAT and social security are important. Obtain tax advice before relocating.

Additional Resources

Regional authority for Wallonia economic migration and professional cards. Federal Immigration Office for residence procedures and visas. Commune of Ciney population service for local registration and residence card issuance. Belgian notaries for incorporation and real estate. Accredited enterprise counters for company registrations and permits. Belgian tax administration and social security institutions for registrations and contributions. Local business incubators and chambers of commerce in Namur Province for market insight and networking.

Next Steps

Clarify your objective in Belgium and identify the correct legal route. For a golden visa style plan in Ciney, that usually means choosing between self-employment with a professional card or employment under the Single Permit or EU Blue Card. Prepare a credible business plan or employment package that satisfies Walloon criteria and federal immigration law.

Engage a lawyer experienced in Walloon economic migration and Belgian corporate law. Have counsel review your business structure, draft or adapt contracts, verify compliance with immigration, company, tax, and AML rules, and plan the timeline for visa, arrival, and municipal registration in Ciney.

Gather core documents early. Passports, civil status records, police certificates, diplomas, CV, financial statements, and health insurance evidence often need legalization or apostille and certified translation into French or Dutch. Keep consistent copies for each authority.

Coordinate local steps in Ciney. After arrival with a long stay visa, register at the Commune, complete the residence verification, submit biometrics, and obtain your residence card. Register your company and activity, enroll with a social insurance fund if self-employed, and align tax and VAT positions.

Build compliance from day one. Maintain business substance in Wallonia, keep accurate accounts, meet renewal conditions for your permit, and notify authorities of material changes. Timely renewals and transparent operations reduce risk during future applications for long term residence or citizenship.

This guide is informational only and not legal advice. Rules can change and outcomes depend on your specific facts. For tailored guidance, speak with a qualified Belgian immigration and corporate lawyer familiar with Walloon procedures and the Commune of Ciney.