Generation 2004 is pleased to share the following information with you: The Expat Welcome Desk (EWD) [1] organises seminars/webinars on specific themes for target audiences. These seminars are conducted by specialists selected by the EWD in order to optimise preparation of the topics covered. If you would like to be informed about seminars they organise throughout the year, you can subscribe by sending them an e-mail [2].
Do your homework first!
We advise anyone considering acquiring a new nationality to check first what else this might impact:
- If you are in receipt of the expatriation allowance [3] and you lived in Belgium for any part of the 10 years before recruitment you may lose that allowance.[*]
- You could ask the question hypothetically via a formal request (‘Article 90.1 [4]‘): ‘If I were to acquire the Belgian nationality would this impact my eligibility for the expatriation allowance?’
- Urban legend debunked: Yes, you have an obligation do declare a new nationality and any reordering your nationalities (nationality 1/nationality 2 in Sysper2) will not change your entitlements see Case T‑18/19 [5], paragraph 119.
- Some Member States do not allow dual nationality: will Belgian nationality impact your original nationality?
The external EWD event itself
Different procedures and the long list of documents can make applying for Belgian nationality feel overwhelming. On top of that, some groups, like EU staff or posted workers, often struggle to meet all the requirements. If you are wondering what steps to take, what conditions apply to your situation, and how to make the process easier, do not miss our webinar “How to Acquire Belgian Nationality.” You will get explanations, practical tips, and answers to your key questions.
The Expat Welcome Desk organises a webinar (in English) at 12.00 PM on Tuesday 14 October 2025, on what you need to know to access to Belgian nationality. This seminar is free to access, but you need to register before Friday 10 October via the following e-mail address: contact@commissioner.brussels [6]
Please note that the number of registrations is limited (virtual meeting room) and that the session will not be recorded!
Speakers
- Wout VAN DOREN, Senior manager at Fragomen law firm.
- Pauline CHOMEL, Associate at Fragomen law firm.
Moderated by Selma MITRI – Expat Welcome Desk Manager
Practical information concerning the link to access the meeting will be sent via e-mail one day before the webinar. Remember to check your spam box !
[*] No, the loss is not automatic: it depends on the individual situation.
Remember that even a short time as an interimaire/temp [7] (where you are not employed directly by the institutions) or residence could be used to establish that you were normally resident in Belgium before recruitment and so might lose the expatriation allowance.
Also, please note that the annual travel payment [8] is linked to the expatriation allowance: if you lose the expatriation allowance it is possible that you lose the other. Again, please check your circumstances with PMO before making any final decision!