The Act of 15 December 1980 on Access to the Territory, Residence, Settlement and Removal of Foreign Nationals governs the conditions for family reunification in Belgium.
It distinguishes, in particular, between the rules applicable to family members of a third-country national and those applicable to family members of a European Union citizen or a Belgian national.
Belgian law provides for four main family reunification schemes:
- Family members of a foreign national benefiting from a right of residence under an international treaty, particularly where a bilateral agreement has been concluded between Belgium and the foreign national’s country of origin.
- Family members of a third-country national authorised to reside in Belgium, whether for a limited or unlimited period.
- Family members of a European Union citizen who has exercised their right to free movement and establishment.
- Family members of a Belgian national, who are subject to a specific legal regime.
