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BelgiumAsylum & protectionLast checked October 30, 2026

International protection in Belgium

refugee status or subsidiary protection · Official name: Verzoek om internationale bescherming / demande de protection internationale

People seeking protection in Belgium make, register and lodge an application for international protection with the Immigration Office, which also checks whether Belgium or another EU state is responsible. The Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) then interviews the applicant and decides on refugee status or subsidiary protection. Since 12 June 2026 the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum applies in Belgium: CGRS interviews are audio-recorded, an EU list of safe countries of origin applies, and applicants from countries with an EU-wide protection rate of 20% or lower can go through an accelerated procedure (decision within three months). People displaced from Ukraine receive EU temporary protection instead.

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Life in Belgium

Finance

3

Currency

Euro

EUR

Euro

Cost of living

87

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

25–50%

Income tax (national)

VAT 21%

Tax-free allowance EUR 11,180 (income 2026); 50% above EUR 51,070; plus municipal surcharge, typically 0-9% of the tax.

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.9

#14 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

Who it’s for

People in Belgium or at its border who fear persecution, or serious harm, in their country of origin. People displaced from Ukraine can get temporary protection.

Eligibility

  • Refugee status or subsidiary protection

    • The CGRS can grant refugee status, or subsidiary protection to people who do not meet the refugee criteria but would face a real risk of serious harm if returned.
    • It refuses where it finds a lack of credibility, no well-founded fear, available protection or an internal relocation option, or no risk of serious harm.
    • Exclusion applies for serious crimes, acts contrary to UN purposes, or threats to society or national security.

  • Apply to the Immigration Office

    Apply to the Immigration Office in three stages: making, registering and lodging your application.

    • CGRS advises applying directly to the Immigration Office in Brussels
    • Older CGRS page said apply within 8 working days of arrival
    • Check current Immigration Office guidance on the deadline
    • Can also apply to border police, or prison or closed-centre director if detained
    Official wording

    The process has three stages at the Immigration Office: making, registering and lodging the application. The CGRS advises applying directly to the Immigration Office in Brussels. An older CGRS page said to apply as soon as possible and within 8 working days of arrival; check current Immigration Office guidance. Applications can also be made to the border police or, for people detained, the prison or closed-centre director.

  • Responsibility check (Dublin / Pact)

    At registration the Immigration Office checks whether Belgium is responsible for the application. Under the Pact, the former Dublin procedure is replaced by a new system meant to decide faster which state is responsible.

SourceChanges introduced by the EU Asylum and Migration Pactcgrs.beChecked Oct 30, 2026

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Official sources

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