Best Residence by Investment Lawyers in Modave

About Residence by Investment Law in Modave, Belgium

Belgium does not operate a classic golden visa program. Instead, foreign investors and entrepreneurs can obtain residence by building genuine economic activity in Belgium. In practice, this usually happens through one of two routes. The first route is self-employed or business owner status, supported by a regional professional card that allows you to carry out a self-employed activity. The second route is employment under a single permit or an EU Blue Card, often where you invest in or manage a Belgian company that employs you.

Modave is a municipality in the Walloon Region. Immigration policy and residence permits are federal, but work and self-employment authorizations are regional. This means that while the Belgian Immigration Office decides on your residence, Wallonia evaluates your business or work authorization. After you arrive with a long-stay visa, the Modave commune handles local registration and issues your residence card once federal and regional approvals are in place.

Real estate purchases, securities portfolios, or passive financial investments alone do not lead to residence in Belgium. The focus is on real business activity, economic utility, job creation, innovation, or highly skilled employment. With correct planning, investors can secure temporary residence that may be renewed and eventually lead to long-term residence and eligibility for Belgian nationality.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A lawyer experienced in Belgian immigration and business law can help you choose a compliant route and avoid costly refusals. Common reasons to seek legal help include selecting the right pathway between self-employed status, single permit employment, or Blue Card, and structuring an investment into a Belgian company that meets immigration and regional economic criteria. Counsel can help prepare a robust business plan showing economic utility, capitalization, job creation, and innovation, all of which are key to a professional card in Wallonia.

Corporate setup carries legal formalities such as choosing the correct legal form, drafting articles and shareholder agreements, preparing the financial plan required by the Companies and Associations Code, appearing before a notary for certain incorporations, and registering with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, VAT, and social security. A lawyer can coordinate this with accountants, notaries, and one-stop business counters so that your immigration and corporate timelines align.

On the immigration side, counsel assists with visa applications, documentary evidence, sworn translations, proof of sufficient means and health insurance, and family reunification submissions. If a file is refused or delayed, a lawyer can pursue administrative review or appeal to the Council for Alien Law Litigation within strict deadlines. Ongoing compliance is equally important. Legal guidance helps you pass commune domicile checks, maintain activity for permit renewals, meet tax and social security obligations, and document your residence history toward long-term residence and nationality.

Local Laws Overview

Professional card for self-employed in Wallonia. Non EEA nationals who wish to operate as self-employed generally require a professional card issued by the Walloon authorities. There is no fixed legal minimum investment, but the project must show economic utility for the region. Authorities assess factors such as business viability, job creation, innovation, personal expertise, and adequate capitalization. Applications are usually filed from abroad through the Belgian consulate, or in certain cases in Belgium if you already hold a suitable residence permit. Initial cards are commonly issued for one to two years, renewable if the activity is genuine and viable.

Single permit for employees. If you will be employed by a Belgian company, the Walloon Region first evaluates the work authorization component, then the federal Immigration Office issues the residence authorization. Salary thresholds and qualification criteria apply, especially for highly skilled profiles or Blue Cards. Processing can take several months, and once approved you apply for a long-stay visa to enter Belgium, then complete registration at the commune in Modave.

Company formation and governance. Investors often incorporate an SRL or SA under the Belgian Companies and Associations Code. The SRL has no statutory minimum capital but must be adequately capitalized, supported by a detailed financial plan. Certain incorporations require a notarial deed. After incorporation you register with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, activate VAT if needed, open a business bank account, enroll with a social insurance fund for self-employed, and organize accounting. Companies must file annual accounts and identify ultimate beneficial owners in the UBO register.

Real estate and accommodation. Buying property can support your application by demonstrating accommodation and roots, but it does not create a residence right by itself. In Wallonia the registration tax on most second-hand residential property is 12.5 percent, plus notary fees and costs. New builds can be subject to VAT. You must also show health insurance and sufficient means during your stay.

Commune registration in Modave. After entering Belgium with the correct visa, you must register your address at the Modave commune. A police domicile check usually follows. When federal and regional approvals are confirmed and the address is verified, the commune issues your residence card. You must keep your registration current and report changes such as address, civil status, or family composition.

Compliance, taxes, and social security. Becoming tax resident in Belgium generally subjects you to tax on worldwide income. Belgium does not levy a general wealth tax, but specific levies can apply. Social security affiliation is mandatory for employees and self-employed. Accurate filings and timely payments are necessary for permit renewals. Anti money laundering rules apply to bank onboarding, so be prepared to evidence the lawful origin of your funds.

Long-term residence and nationality. After five years of uninterrupted legal stay you may qualify for long-term resident status if conditions are met. Belgian nationality by declaration is also possible after five years of legal residence with proof of social integration, language knowledge, and economic participation. These pathways depend on continuous lawful stay and compliance during the temporary residence period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Belgium have a golden visa in Modave or elsewhere

No. Belgium does not grant residence solely for purchasing real estate or making a passive investment. Investors can obtain residence by establishing or managing a genuine business or by taking up qualifying employment with a Belgian entity.

What is the professional card and who needs it

The professional card is a regional authorization that allows non EEA nationals to carry out self-employed activity in Belgium. In Wallonia it is issued by the regional administration after an assessment of your business plan, economic utility, and personal expertise.

Can I get residence by buying a home in Modave

Buying real estate may help demonstrate accommodation and ties, but it does not, by itself, create a right to reside. You still need a qualifying immigration route such as self-employed status with a professional card or a single permit as an employee.

How much do I need to invest to qualify

There is no statutory minimum. Authorities look for a well capitalized and credible plan that can operate sustainably in Belgium. The level of investment should match your sector, projected costs, and job creation. A detailed financial plan is essential.

How long does the process take

Timelines vary. Professional card evaluations often take several weeks to a few months. Single permit processing can take up to several months. After visa issuance, commune registration in Modave and residence card issuance typically add a few weeks, including a domicile check.

Can my family join me

Spouses or registered partners and dependent minor children can usually apply for family reunification once you hold a valid residence permit and meet requirements for sufficient means, adequate housing, and health insurance. Documentation must be complete and correctly translated.

Will I need to speak French to handle local procedures in Modave

French is the administrative language in Modave. While you can be assisted in other languages by professionals, official documents and communications with the commune and regional bodies are typically in French. Certified translations may be required.

What taxes will I face as a new resident

Belgian tax residents are generally taxed on worldwide income. There is no general wealth tax, but specific levies and local taxes may apply. Companies are subject to corporate income tax, and VAT applies to many goods and services. Tax planning and compliance are important for permit renewals.

What happens if my application is refused

You can often submit additional evidence, request administrative review, or file an appeal with the Council for Alien Law Litigation within strict deadlines. A lawyer can assess the refusal grounds and prepare a targeted response.

Do I need to hire staff or rent an office to qualify

There is no universal rule, but your business plan must be realistic for your sector. Hiring staff, leasing premises, or contracting local services can strengthen the economic utility of your project and support both initial approval and renewals.

Additional Resources

Belgian Immigration Office handling residence authorizations and long stay procedures.

Walloon Public Service authorities responsible for professional cards for self-employed and for the regional component of the single permit.

Modave Commune Population Service in charge of local registration, domicile checks, and residence card issuance.

Crossroads Bank for Enterprises for company registration and enterprise numbers.

Federation of Notaries for notarial services related to incorporation and real estate purchases.

Federal Public Service Finance for tax registration, returns, and guidance.

National Social Security Office and social insurance funds for employee and self-employed social security affiliation.

Accredited one stop business counters in Wallonia for enterprise formalities and certain filings.

Next Steps

Clarify your goal and choose a pathway. Decide whether your situation fits self-employed status with a professional card, employment via a single permit, or an EU Blue Card. Consider how your investment will translate into day to day activity in Belgium.

Engage a local lawyer and supporting professionals. A coordinated team spanning immigration, corporate law, notarial services, accounting, and tax will help you present a coherent project that satisfies both regional economic criteria and federal immigration rules.

Prepare documentation. Assemble passports, police clearances, diplomas, CVs, business plan, financial plan, proof of funds and their lawful origin, draft contracts, lease or property documents for accommodation, health insurance, and translations by sworn translators where required.

Structure the business. Select the legal form, draft constitutional documents and agreements, incorporate before a notary if needed, register with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, set up banking, VAT, social insurance, and accounting. Ensure the structure matches your immigration route.

File for authorization and visa. Submit the professional card or single permit application to the Walloon authorities. Once approved, apply for the appropriate Belgian long stay visa at the consulate. Track deadlines and keep copies of all filings and receipts.

Arrive and register in Modave. Upon entry, register your address at the Modave commune, complete the police domicile check, and provide any additional documents requested. Collect your residence card once issued.

Maintain compliance and plan for renewals. Operate the business as planned, keep proper accounts, pay taxes and social security on time, and preserve evidence of activity and residence. Monitor expiry dates and start renewal files early.

Map your long term objectives. After five years of continuous legal stay, assess eligibility for long term residence or nationality. Your lawyer can help confirm residence continuity, integration, language, and economic participation criteria and guide you through the applications.