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Belgian citizenship

Question

Hello everyone,

I have acquired permanent residency of Belgium and EU long-term residency by working continuously in Belgium for a duration of 5 years. So, basically I hold a 'D' card now and hence, I am now registered in popular register.

I'm now planning to apply for Belgian citizenship and my commune is 1000 Brussels.

As I know, those who have worked continuously in Belgium for a period of 5 years and are registered in population register don't have to provide any proof of one of the national language skills as their 5 years work experience covers language, social and economic integration requirements. But I came to know from some friends in Belgium that in atleast certain communes of Brussels, when people apply for citizenship, police visits them to check their language skills despite their 5 years work experience in Belgium.

Does anyone know about the situation in 1000 Brussels commune whether something similar happens there as well?

Thanks in advance for your response.

Best Regards,
Abhi

J

The Police can't test language skills. They are not qualified to do so.

It sounds like you know the procedure and how it should work, so get on with it. I know people who've followed this process in at least 4 different Brussels communes without a hitch. I don't see who it should be any different for you.

Oct 13, 2020 10:40
abhisharma040883

Dear J, thanks for this useful information.

Can you please let me know which communes did these people belonged to and if any of them belonged to 1000 Brussels commune at the time of applying for Belgian citizenship?

Br,
Abhi

Oct 13, 2020 12:25
becasse

Police "good citizen" checks seem to have become commonplace if not universal, they certainly don't seem to be intended to check your linguistic abilities although the ability to respond to a thirty minute interview in one of the official languages is obviously going to aid your application.

On the other hand, linguistic ability (to A2 standard which isn't actually very high) is, quite rightly in my view, intended to be a cornerstone of Belgian citizenship. If you read the relevant law, you will see that the acceptance of a minimum period of employment is only a concession (replacing the requirement to submit proof of linguistic ability and social integration) and I have certainly heard of communes refusing to allow the concession when the workplace uses a language other than Dutch, French or German as its everyday working language.

If you want to become a Belgian national you HAVE to be able to speak one of those three languages to at least a basic level. If you can't it is likely that your application will be refused somewhere along the way. And, by the way, you can't choose the commune you apply in, it has to be the one where you are registered.

Oct 13, 2020 14:55
Denniss

Hi, I went through acquiring BE nationality in 1000 2 years ago.
Out of all processes in that commune, I would say this one was the most simple and straight forward, if you worked uninterrupted for 5 years: no police checks, no language tests, collected all papers, paid the fees, submitted application in exactly 5,5 months got my citizenship.
Good luck,
D

Oct 19, 2020 13:34
johnwie29

Hi,
Does any one know what is the purpose of the police check in the nationality application?
Is this done in spite of having 5 years of uninterrupted work as proof of integration and language skill?
Regards
John

Oct 5, 2021 11:16