Belgian Citizenship for Ukrainians: Documents, Translation and Real Costs

A 1,030 euro registration fee, 4-8 months of waiting, and a stack of documents with sworn translations - that’s what applying for Belgian citizenship looks like. And the worst part for many Ukrainians? The years you spent under temporary protection don’t count toward the required 5 years of residence. Let’s break down who can actually apply, what documents you need, and how much it all costs.

Who Can Apply for Belgian Citizenship¶

Belgian citizenship isn’t obtained through naturalization anymore (that’s now reserved for people with “exceptional merit” - Olympic champions, distinguished scientists). The main route for regular people is the déclaration de nationalité - a nationality declaration.

There are several paths, each with its own requirements:

There’s also a 5-year route for those with a Belgian degree or 5 years of self-employment with social security contributions paid.

The basics: you must be 18+, legally residing in Belgium for the required period, and have no serious criminal record.

Temporary Protection and Citizenship - The Bad News¶

This is the most important thing Ukrainians need to know. Time spent under temporary protection (A-card based on temporary protection) does not count toward the 5 years required for citizenship.

Why? EU Directive 2003/109/EC explicitly excludes temporary protection from the calculation of long-term resident status. And without long-term resident status (or another “proper” residence permit), the path to citizenship is blocked.

What does this mean in practice? If you arrived in Belgium in 2022 under temporary protection and have been living with an A-card this whole time - those years don’t count. To start “accumulating” time toward citizenship, you need to switch to a different type of permit:

• Work permit (single permit)
• Study-based residence permit
• Family reunification (not based on temporary protection)
• Recognized refugee status or subsidiary protection

One user on a forum for Ukrainians in Belgium shared: “I’ve been living in Belgium since March 2022, thought I already had 4 years of residency. Turns out temporary protection doesn’t count, and I need to first change my residence basis and then wait another 5 years.” This is an extremely common situation.

If Belgian citizenship is in your plans - take care of changing your status as early as possible. The longer you stay on temporary protection, the further away the goal gets.

Three Conditions for the 5-Year Route¶

The most popular route is 5 years of residence with proof of language, integration, and employment. Let’s break down each condition.

Language - A2 Minimum¶

You need to prove knowledge of one of Belgium’s three official languages: Dutch, French, or German. The minimum level is A2, which roughly means “I can order coffee, make a doctor’s appointment, and explain my problem in simple sentences.”

How to prove it:

• Language exam certificate (Selor, CNaVT, DELF/DALF, Goethe-Institut)
• A Belgian educational degree
• Certificate from completing an integration course with a language module (inburgeringscursus in Flanders, parcours d’accueil in Wallonia)
• Certificate from VDAB, Actiris, or FOREM confirming language training

Tip: if you live in Flanders - learn Dutch, if in Wallonia or Brussels - learn French. The language should match your region.

Integration - Show You’re Part of Society¶

Ways to prove it:

• Successfully completing an integration course (inburgering / parcours d’intégration) - this is the simplest and most reliable option
• Vocational training of at least 400 hours
• A Belgian educational degree
• Continuous employment or self-employment for 5 years

The integration course isn’t just a formality. It includes a language module, a module about Belgian society (taxes, education, healthcare, rights and obligations), and often an employment module. In Flanders, it’s run by Agentschap Integratie en Inburgering, in Brussels by VIA or BON, in Wallonia by CRACS/CRIPEL.

Economic Participation - 468 Days of Work¶

You need to prove you’ve worked at least 468 days during the last 5 years. That’s roughly 1.5 years of full-time employment. What counts:

• Salaried employment (arbeidsovereenkomst / contrat de travail)
• Public service employment
• Self-employment with at least 3 quarters of social security contributions paid

Proof comes from RSZ/ONSS (social security) certificates, employment contracts, pay slips, or certificates from the social fund for self-employed workers.

Full Document List and What Needs Translation¶

Here’s everything you need for the nationality declaration:

Documents from Ukraine (sworn translation required)¶

• Birth certificate - the core document, non-negotiable. Must have an apostille from Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice
• Marriage certificate - if married
• Divorce certificate or court decision - if applicable
• Criminal record certificate from Ukraine - request through the consulate or Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs online service. Must be apostilled
• Criminal record certificates from all countries you’ve lived in - if you’ve lived anywhere besides Ukraine and Belgium
• Education documents - if using them to prove integration

Each of these documents needs translation by a sworn translator (beëdigd vertaler) registered in Belgium’s National Registry with a VTI number. Since December 2022, translations are PDF files with a qualified digital signature - no paper stamps.

Belgian Documents (no translation needed)¶

• Population Registry extract (check with your commune)
• Belgian criminal record certificate (Model 595)
• Language level certificate (A2+)
• Integration course completion certificate
• RSZ/ONSS employment certificates
• Copy of residence permit

Which Language to Translate Into¶

The translation language depends on your region:

You can find a translator on the official JustSearch platform - enter the language pair and you’ll see all registered translators with VTI numbers.

How Much It Costs and How Long It Takes¶

Citizenship Budget¶

If you count the minimum package (birth certificate + criminal record + registration fee) - that’s already around 1,200 euros. With all documents and translations, it can reach 1,500-1,800 euros.

Before July 2025, the registration fee was 150 euros. The new coalition raised it nearly sevenfold - to 1,000 euros (1,030 with 2026 indexation). This is part of a broader policy of tightening citizenship requirements.

Procedure and Timeline¶

1. Gather all documents and translations
2. Submit the declaration at your municipality (gemeente / commune)
3. The registrar checks completeness and forwards the file to the King’s Prosecutor (Procureur du Roi)
4. The prosecutor has 4 months to decide - but in practice it’s often 6-8 months
5. If approved - you’re Belgian

If the prosecutor refuses, you can appeal in court. But it’s better not to get there - get your documents right the first time.

Common Mistakes Ukrainians Make¶

1. Thinking temporary protection counts - it doesn’t. Change your residence status first
2. Translating into the wrong language - living in Flanders but got a French translation? They won’t accept it. Check your region’s language
3. Using a notarized translation from Ukraine - Belgium only accepts translations from translators in the National Registry
4. Forgetting the apostille - Ukrainian civil status documents need an apostille from the Ministry of Justice
5. Not keeping employment records - pay slips, employment contracts, RSZ certificates - you’ll need all of this in 5 years

FAQ¶

How much does it cost to apply for Belgian citizenship in 2026?¶

The main expense is the 1,030 euro registration fee (with 2026 indexation). Plus a 50 euro municipal fee, document translations (40-70 euros each), apostilles, and certificates. Total budget ranges from 1,200 to 1,800 euros depending on how many documents you have.

Does time under temporary protection count toward citizenship?¶

No. EU Directive 2003/109/EC explicitly excludes temporary protection from long-term residency calculations. To “start the clock” for citizenship, you need to change your residence basis - to a work permit, study permit, or family reunification.

Which language do you need for Belgian citizenship?¶

One of the three official languages: Dutch, French, or German, at minimum A2 level. Which one depends on your region. In Flanders - Dutch, in Wallonia - French, in Brussels - either one.

How long does the citizenship process take?¶

Officially, the King’s Prosecutor has 4 months to decide after your declaration is submitted. In practice, the entire process from submission to decision takes 6-8 months, and sometimes longer in Brussels due to workload. Add 2-4 weeks for gathering documents and translations beforehand.

Do I need a sworn translation of documents for Belgian citizenship?¶

Yes, it’s mandatory. All foreign documents must be translated by a sworn translator registered in Belgium’s National Registry (with a VTI number). The translation is a PDF with a qualified digital signature. Notarized translations from Ukraine aren’t recognized in Belgium.