Twice as many French applying for Belgian citizenship

The number of French people applying for Belgian nationality has doubled over the past year as debate rages over president François Hollande’s plans to heavily tax millionaires, reports Radio France International. A total of 126 French people applied last year, compared to 63 in each of the two previous years, according to Georges Dallemagne (pictured), president of the naturalisation commission of the Chamber of Representatives in the Belgian parliament. “It has really been a French phenomenon. There was a general increase in demand last year, but only the French grew by so much,” he told news agency AFP. Hollande’s government has been pushing for a 75% tax rate on incomes over €1 million, leading to celebrities and business people announcing their intentions to move to countries with lower tax rates, including Belgium. Actor Gérard Depardieu, who has been outspoken on the issue, has bought a house in the Walloon village of Néchin, 2km from the French border, and was yesterday granted Russian citizenship by president Vladimir Putin. Russia has a flat income tax rate of 13%. Bernard Arnault, Europe’s richest man and the head of French luxury group LVMH, has also applied for Belgian nationality, though he insists it is not for tax reasons. Reports in the Belgian press say his application may be unsuccessful, as he does not meet residency requirements. Dallemagne said the jump in French applications could also be related to changes in Belgian law which came into effect in the new year. Instead of having to live in Belgium for three years, applicants will now have to show they have lived in the country for at least five years; however, the naturalisation commission can give Belgian nationality to people who may be contribute to the country as artists, entrepreneurs or athletes.