Best Golden Visa Lawyers in Hasselt

About Golden Visa Law in Hasselt, Belgium

Belgium does not operate a classic golden visa program like some other EU countries. There is no automatic residence based solely on buying property or making a passive investment. Instead, Belgium offers several immigration routes that can suit investors, entrepreneurs, and highly skilled professionals. These pathways can lead to lawful residence in Hasselt and the broader Flanders region when specific legal and economic conditions are met.

The most common routes used as an alternative to a golden visa are the self-employed route through a professional card authorization for non-EU nationals who wish to start or manage a business in Belgium, the single permit for employees who have a Belgian employer willing to sponsor their work and residence authorization, and the EU Blue Card for highly qualified workers who meet higher salary and qualification thresholds. After lawful residence for five years, many individuals may qualify for long-term or permanent residence, and some may later seek Belgian nationality if they meet integration, language, and residence conditions.

Hasselt is in the Flanders region. In Belgium, immigration is shared between federal and regional authorities. The federal Office for Foreigners handles residence permits and long-stay visas, while the Regions handle economic migration decisions such as work authorization and self-employed professional card assessments. Local municipalities, including Stad Hasselt, register residents and issue local residence documents after arrival.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Immigration and investment rules in Belgium are complex and involve multiple authorities. A lawyer can help you decide which route best fits your goals, prepare a compliant application, and avoid costly delays. Common situations where legal help is valuable include choosing between self-employed, single permit, or EU Blue Card routes, drafting a strong business plan that shows economic added value for the professional card, structuring your Belgian company and governance to align with immigration and tax requirements, planning family reunification for a spouse and children, preparing for municipal registration in Hasselt and compliance with health insurance, housing, and integration expectations, understanding tax residency, social security, and VAT obligations that follow from Belgian residence, and addressing refusals or requests for additional information from the authorities at regional or federal level.

A lawyer familiar with Flanders economic migration rules and Hasselt municipal practice can coordinate timing between visa applications, regional decisions, and local registration to minimize gaps and maintain lawful status.

Local Laws Overview

Competent authorities. The Office for Foreigners at the federal level manages long-stay visas and residence cards. The Flanders Economic Migration service assesses applications for work authorization and for self-employed professional cards. Stad Hasselt registers new residents and issues local certificates after a police address check. Applications often involve all three levels.

Self-employed professional card. Non-EU nationals who want to be self-employed in Belgium usually need a professional card authorization issued by the Region. You must show economic added value for Belgium, such as job creation, innovation, investment, or trade benefits. A credible business plan, financial projections, and professional experience are essential. If approved, you typically apply for a long-stay visa D, enter Belgium, register in Hasselt, and receive a residence card tied to your activity. The authorization is time limited and renewable if the business remains viable and compliant.

Single permit for employees. If you have a Belgian employer, you can apply for a single permit that combines work and residence authorization. In Flanders, categories include highly skilled workers, managers, and shortage occupations, each with specific salary and qualification thresholds. Once the Region issues a positive work authorization, the federal level finalizes residence. You then register in Hasselt after arrival.

EU Blue Card. The Blue Card is for highly qualified workers with a higher salary threshold and a recognized diploma. It can ease mobility within the EU and can count toward long-term residence after continuous lawful stay.

No residence by property purchase. Buying Belgian real estate, including in Hasselt, does not grant residence or a special visa by itself. Property can, however, support your overall file by showing accommodation and ties.

Municipal registration in Hasselt. After arrival with a long-stay visa, you must make an appointment with Stad Hasselt to register your address. A local police check usually confirms your residence. You must present proof of housing, health insurance, and may need to show sufficient means depending on your route. Timely registration is essential to receive your residence card.

Tax and social security. Becoming resident in Belgium can create worldwide tax obligations. Self-employed persons register with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises and a social insurance fund, pay social contributions, and comply with VAT and accounting rules as applicable. Company directors and employees are subject to Belgian withholding and social security as appropriate. Early tax planning is important.

Timeline and renewals. Processing times vary. Professional card and single permit decisions often take several months. Residence cards are typically issued for one or two years and must be renewed on time. After five years of continuous legal stay, many residents can apply for long-term residence if they meet conditions. Citizenship has separate criteria, including language and integration requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Belgium have a golden visa program?

No. Belgium does not offer residence based solely on investment or property purchase. Most investors and entrepreneurs use the self-employed professional card route or other work based permits.

Can I get residence in Hasselt by starting a company?

Possibly. Starting or managing a Belgian business can support a self-employed professional card application if you can show economic added value, a viable business plan, and sufficient resources. Approval is not automatic and depends on a regional assessment.

What is the difference between a professional card, single permit, and EU Blue Card?

A professional card authorizes self-employed activity and can lead to residence tied to that activity. A single permit combines work authorization for an employee and residence. An EU Blue Card is for highly qualified employees and has higher salary and qualification thresholds with some EU mobility benefits.

How much do I need to invest to qualify?

There is no fixed minimum investment in law for the professional card. The Region evaluates your plan as a whole based on economic added value, credibility, and financial capacity. For employee routes, salary thresholds apply instead of investment amounts.

Does buying property in Hasselt grant me a residence permit?

No. Real estate purchase does not grant residence. It can, however, help demonstrate accommodation and ties when applying under another route.

How long does the process take?

Expect several months from filing to decision. Professional card assessments can take around three to six months or more. Single permits often take a few months. After approval, obtaining a visa D and completing municipal registration in Hasselt adds additional time.

Can my family join me?

Yes. Spouses or registered partners and dependent children can often apply for family reunification once you hold a valid Belgian residence permit and meet housing, insurance, and sufficient means conditions. Processing times and documents vary by nationality and route.

Do I need to live in Belgium full time?

You must genuinely carry out the activity that grounds your residence and maintain your main residence in Belgium. Long absences can affect renewals and future eligibility for long-term residence or citizenship. Specific physical presence rules depend on the status.

What are the tax implications of moving to Hasselt?

If you become Belgian tax resident, you are generally taxed on worldwide income. You must consider personal income tax, social security, and, for self-employed or company owners, corporate tax, VAT, and accounting compliance. Belgium has many double tax treaties, and advance tax planning is recommended.

Can I apply from within Belgium?

It depends on your current status. Many applicants must apply for initial authorization and visa D from outside Belgium. Some people who are already lawfully residing may file in country. A lawyer can assess whether an in-country application is allowed in your case.

Additional Resources

Office for Foreigners, Federal Public Service Interior. This is the federal authority for residence permits and long-stay visas.

Flanders Economic Migration service. This regional authority assesses professional card applications for self-employed and work authorization for employees in Flanders.

Stad Hasselt Population and Foreigners Office. The municipal service for registration, address checks, and issuance of local residence documents.

Belgian diplomatic and consular posts. These process visa D applications and collect biometrics before travel to Belgium.

Crossroads Bank for Enterprises and accredited one-stop business service providers. These are used for company and self-employed registrations in Belgium.

Public employment and social security bodies in Flanders. These provide guidance on work permits, social contributions, and labor rules.

Next Steps

Clarify your goal. Decide whether your primary objective is entrepreneurship, employment, or highly skilled work. This will guide which route fits best.

Assess eligibility. Review basic criteria for the self-employed professional card, single permit, or EU Blue Card. Consider qualifications, financial capacity, salary thresholds, and business feasibility.

Seek legal advice. Consult an immigration lawyer familiar with Flanders rules and Hasselt procedures to map out the best strategy and timeline for you and any family members.

Prepare documents. Gather passports, civil status documents, police clearances, diplomas, CV, proof of funds, health insurance, and, for self-employed, a robust business plan with financials and supporting market research.

Coordinate filings. For self-employed, prepare the professional card application for regional assessment and plan for the visa D filing. For employees, coordinate the regional work authorization with the federal residence step and then visa D.

Plan arrival and registration. Arrange accommodation in Hasselt, book a municipal registration appointment, and be ready for the police address check. Register with health insurance and, if self-employed, with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises and a social insurance fund.

Maintain compliance. Track renewals, meet tax and social security obligations, and keep evidence that you are genuinely exercising your approved activity. After five years of lawful residence, discuss options for long-term residence or citizenship with your lawyer.

This guide is informational and not legal advice. Rules change and individual circumstances matter. For a tailored strategy, speak with a qualified immigration lawyer before you apply.