Since 2013, each application to become Belgian has been subject to a 150 euro fee, which is often added to the translation costs of the foreign documents that must be provided. Recently, a proposal was submitted to the Chamber of Representatives to raise the registration fee from €150 to €5.000. 

Myria stated that such an increase would raise serious questions about the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of wealth, and could be detrimental to women's access to nationality. According to the Federal Migration Centre, an unexpected expense of 1.300 euros is generally a problem for about one person in five in Belgium, but this proportion is twice as high among single-parent families. However, in 80% of single-parent families, the head of household is a woman. An increase in registration fees could, therefore, represent an indirectly sexist measure which would further penalise women in access to citizenship.

In a more detailed opinion rendered to the Chamber of Representatives, Myria further detailed its arguments against an increase in registration fees, providing as well a comparative overview of the said fees in other European countries (in French or in Dutch).

For further information, please read the press release from Myria (in French or in Dutch) and for more details, please read the thematic section "Nationality" attached above in French and in Dutch as well.