In the government agreement (in French or Dutch), the federal coalition announced its intention to introduce a lifetime entry ban for terrorists and radicalised individuals listed in the “entity A” database of the Coordination Unit for Threat Assessment (OCAM). It also planned to extend the duration of entry bans for serious criminals. This commitment formed part of the section dedicated to public order, crime and national security.

On 7 November 2025, on the proposal of the Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt, the Council of Ministers adopted a draft law intended to implement this commitment. The text specifies that an entry ban may also be imposed for life, whereas the current definition in the Aliens Act refers only to a “fixed duration”. It also identifies the categories of third-country nationals to whom such a measure may apply, namely individuals recorded in the joint database on terrorism, extremism and radicalisation. The draft provides that, for a lifetime ban, the reference to two-thirds of its duration corresponds to a period of 20 years. In addition, a similar modification is planned under Article 44nonies of the Aliens Act to allow for lifetime entry bans for EU citizens and their family members.

The draft law will now be sent to the Council of State for its advisory opinion before possible submission to Parliament.

For further details, please read the press release from the Council of Ministers in French or Dutch, and the press release from NVA.