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On 20 October 2025, around 200 Belgian actors and European partners gathered to mark thirty years of the fight against human trafficking in Belgium, highlighting both the strengths of a multidisciplinary and specialised system based on collaboration and information sharing, and the ongoing challenges, such as limited resources, difficulties in securing compensation for victims, the protection of minors, and adapting to emerging forms of trafficking.
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From 13 to 18 October, PAG-ASA organises a series of activities in Brussels as part of the Human Trafficking Awareness Week. The events aim to raise awareness of human trafficking, its impact on victims, and the Belgian protection framework. Activities include exhibitions, film screenings, and professional trainings. EMN Belgium attended one of the film screenings, reflecting on forms of labour exploitation and the challenges involved in assisting and upholding the rights of victims.
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Main theme: Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: human trafficking awareness week, victim of trafficking, labour exploitation, labour right
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On 12 October 2025, Belgium began implementing the European Entry-Exit System (EES) for third-country nationals travelling to Europe for short stays. Brussels Airport and Brussels-Midi station (for Eurostar passengers) have planned the necessary infrastructure and procedures to support border registration. EU and Schengen-area travellers are not affected. Full implementation across Europe is scheduled for 10 April 2026.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: entry exit system, Brussels Airport, border control, non-EU national, Eurostar passenger
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In the case of Sahiti v. Belgium, a Kosovar national has waited over 15 years for a final decision on his medical residence permit application in Belgium. He claimed that his health condition and the procedural delays exposed him to serious risks. The European Court of Human Rights found a violation of Article 8 of the Convention due to the prolonged uncertainty and precarious situation. The Court instructed Belgium, under Article 46, to ensure that a final decision is issued promptly while respecting domestic law.
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Main theme: Regularization
Keywords: application for a residence permit, medical ground, excessive delay, article 8 ECHR
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On 2 October 2025, EMN Belgium held an information session for new visa officers of the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs. During this information session, the Belgian institutional framework for migration and asylum policies was presented.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa
Keywords: family reunification visa, visa code, student visa
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On 30 September 2025, seven organisations, including humanitarian groups, published the fifth edition of their Belgian report on the country’s non-reception policy and its effects on asylum seekers. The report provides data on reduced access to accommodation and essential services during the first half of 2025, following policy changes introduced by the coalition government formed in January. It documents impacts on housing, healthcare, mental health, and legal support for people seeking international protection.
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Main theme: Reception
Keywords: reception crisis, reception capacity
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The Flemish government has decided that third-country workers – from outside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – will follow a mandatory tailored integration trajectory from 2027. The initiative, proposed by Minister Hilde Crevits, will be delivered digitally and can be started in the country of origin or within six months of arrival in Flanders. The programme provides essential information on work, rights and responsibilities, and Flemish norms and values. Certain temporary or seasonal workers, students, and holiday-work participants are excluded.
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Main theme: Integration, Economic migration
Keywords: migrant worker, self-employed, integration programme, digital learning
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The Fedasil Info Point in Brussels has been supporting asylum seekers and other migrants for two years, providing accessible and centralised information in one location. Since reopening on 27 September 2023 at the former Bordet Hospital site, it has welcomed over 22.000 visitors, mostly single men with ongoing asylum procedures. Visitors most frequently ask about accommodation, medical care, legal support, and other practical matters. Partners such as Caritas International and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) assist in providing guidance and support.
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Myria, the Federal Migration Centre, has published a thematic report on economic migration, free movement and students as part of its annual report "Migration in figures and rights 2025". The publication explains trends in labour migration and study-related mobility. It shows that labour migration from outside the EU has slightly decreased, the share of third-country nationals among temporary postings has continued to grow, and student numbers are increasing.
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Main theme: Economic migration, Study § Training
Keywords: Myria, annual report, labour migration, student migration, temporary posting
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According to Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, 5.523 persons obtained Belgian nationality in June 2025. The main countries of origin of people who acquired Belgian nationality in June are Morocco, Syria, Romania, Italy and Turkey.
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Main theme: Data & Statistics, Citizenship & Nationality
Keywords: access to nationality, Belgian nationality
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The Belgian Minister for Equal Opportunities, Rob Beenders, has launched a campaign aimed at employers, HR professionals and relevant actors to promote gender equality in the workplace. It particularly highlights the challenges faced by women of foreign origin and draws on a recent report showing that they encounter structural difficulties, such as precarious work and under-employment. A podcast complements the campaign by giving a voice to migrant women and illustrating their resilience in the face of these obstacles.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: migrant women, labour market, gender equality, inclusion
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The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe examined the execution of the European Court of Human Rights judgment in Camara v. Belgium. The case highlighted a systemic failure to enforce judicial decisions ordering the State to provide accommodation and material support to asylum-seekers. While some progress has been made in freeing up reception places and improving operational support, concerns persist over reductions in capacity and the risk to the rule of law. The Committee urged the Belgian authorities to adopt sustainable measures and provide detailed information on enforcement.
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Main theme: Reception
Keywords: reception crisis, Camara, reception place, rule of law, reception network
Minister Van Bossuyt updates Parliament on internal checks against irregular and secondary migration
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Belgium introduced targeted internal checks in July 2025 to address irregular and secondary migration. The measures are applied at airports, international bus and rail stations, and motorway rest areas. Over 11.000 individuals have been checked, with some ordered to leave the territory or placed in closed centres. The government plans to continue the checks and to conduct a six‑month evaluation.
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Main theme: Borders & Visa, Irregular Migration
Keywords: checks, Belgian territory, irregularly staying third-country national, secondary movement
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Myria is hiring a full-time Policy Officer (2-year contract) to support the Belgian Contact Point of the European Migration Network (EMN). The role focuses on economic migration and family reunification. You will contribute to English-language reports, studies, and EU-level policy work. The position is based in Brussels, with Myria as the employer.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: EMN Belgium, recruitment
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Eight officers from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) have started work at Brussels Airport to assist in return operations. They will operate alongside Belgian police to increase the number of returns. Their deployment follows the adoption of national legislation and a Royal Decree defining their powers and operational zones.
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Main theme: Return & Readmission
Keywords: forced return, Frontex, European Border and Coast Guard, Brussels Airport
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On 4 September, the non-profit organisation Mentor Jeunes held an online information session for families willing to foster unaccompanied foreign minors. The initiative highlighted foster care as an alternative to collective centres, offering children a safe and structured home environment. It also explained the individualised support available to both families and young people, aiming to encourage more households to consider joining the programme.
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Main theme: Vulnerable groups
Keywords: unaccompanied foreign minor, foster family
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From 1 September 2025, the filing fee for appeals before Belgium’s Council for Alien Law Litigation will increase from €186 to €251, marking a rise of approximately 35%. The fee for parties wishing to intervene in ongoing cases will also increase, from €133 to €180. Legal practitioners are advised to inform clients of the new rates. Questions remain over the impact of these increases on access to justice for vulnerable individuals.
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Main theme: Cross-sectional, Asylum, Migration
Keywords: Council for Alien Law Litigation, appeal procedure, fee
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In the first half of 2025, West Flanders saw 72 transit migrants intercepted, a significant decrease compared with previous years. Most were from Ethiopia, while earlier periods involved people from Sudan, Iraq and Vietnam. Authorities cite preventive policing and cross-border controls as key factors.
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Main theme: Irregular Migration, Smuggling & Trafficking
Keywords: transit migrant, transmigrant, interception, border control
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Fedasil is organising an exhibition on voluntary return and reintegration at the Wintercircus. The Ghent-based Magnum photographer Carl De Keyzer portrays the stories of, among others, Rosa from El Salvador and Igis from Albania. This exhibition is organised in collaboration with Caritas International and the International Organization for Migration, with the support of AMIF.
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Main theme: Return & Readmission
Keywords: voluntary return, reintegration, photo, exhibition
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From 18 August 2025, new rules for family reunification enter into force in Belgium. They do not apply to all applicants. Some cases continue under the old rules, others transition to the new rules in 2027, while certain applications are immediately subject to the new framework. This article explains who is affected and how the rules will change.
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Main theme: Family reunification
Keywords: application for family reunification, family tie, income requirement, minimum age, housing
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According to Statbel, the Belgian statistical office, 4.923 persons obtained Belgian nationality in May 2025. The main countries of origin of people who acquired Belgian nationality in May are Morocco, Romania, Syria, Turkey and Italy.
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Main theme: Data & Statistics, Citizenship & Nationality
Keywords: access to nationality, Belgian nationality
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From 4 August 2025, Belgium implements two changes affecting international protection procedures. The period to justify absence from personal interviews is reduced from 15 to 8 days. In addition, new applications submitted after a decision on a previous request in another EU Member State are now registered as subsequent applications.
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The Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) announced that the suspension of processing of applications for international protection from Syria, a measure in place since December 2024, would be extended until the end of October 2025.
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Main theme: International Protection
Keywords: Syria, CGRS, asylum applications, asylum decisions
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The Belgian Chamber of Representatives has adopted a law raising the fee for registering the acquisition of Belgian nationality from €150 to €1.000. The change, included in the programme law adopted on 18 July 2025, forms part of a broader package of budgetary measures. The new fee will apply to applications submitted after the law enters into force and will be indexed annually.
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Main theme: Citizenship & Nationality
Keywords: access to nationality, Belgian nationality, registration fee
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On 23 July, Belgium officially published two new laws aimed at reducing the burden on international protection procedures and limiting access to reception for certain applicants. In particular, these laws redefine which applications are considered subsequent by including those who have already received protection or a final decision in another EU country, and they limit access to reception facilities and material assistance for this group. The laws reflect the government’s intention to streamline asylum processing and manage reception capacity effectively.