Which family members can benefit from family reunification?

Partners and spouses

Family reunification is possible with:

• The spouse or registered partner, provided that this partnership is recognised as equivalent to marriage in Belgium (Germany, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, United Kingdom, Sweden)
• The unmarried partner, if the partnership is officially recognised (e.g. PACS in France, legal cohabitation in Belgium)

The sponsor and the applicant must be under 21 years of age, unless their relationship predated arrival in Belgium.

Children

• Children under 18 years of age
• Adult children with disabilities
• Father or mother of an unaccompanied minor child who is a refugee or beneficiary of subsidiary protection

Where to submit your family reunification application?

From Belgium

Only possible if the applicant already has a temporary legal stay (studies, work, etc.).

From abroad

In most cases, the application must be submitted to the diplomatic or consular post of the country of origin.

Exception: if the applicant cannot return to their country of origin for exceptional reasons, the application may be submitted from Belgium.

Specific case: minor children

A child may join a parent already present in Belgium if the other parent gives formal consent for the child to settle in Belgium.

What conditions must the sponsor meet?

Adequate housing

The sponsor must prove that they can accommodate the family member(s) in suitable housing.

Health insurance

The sponsor must have valid health coverage for themselves and for the applicant.

Sufficient resources

The sponsor must prove that they have regular, stable and sufficient income, amounting to 120% of the social integration income applicable to a household.

Reference amount: EUR 2,131.28 net/month (as of 01/01/2025, indexed several times a year)

Excluded income

The following income is not taken into account:

• Social integration income
• Financial social assistance
• Basic child benefits and supplements
• Integration allowances
• Transition allowance

Contested or limited income

Generally excluded (except where recent case law is favourable):

• GRAPA (Guaranteed Income for Elderly Persons)
• Article 60 income
• Replacement income and integration allowance for persons with disabilities

Good to know The Council for Alien Law Litigation has ruled that the replacement income allowance and GRAPA cannot be automatically excluded.

Income partially taken into account

• Unemployment benefits: accepted if the sponsor can prove active job-seeking
• Disability benefits and employment aids: not excluded in principle

Exemption cases

If the sponsor is only bringing their minor children, they do not need to prove their income.

What to do if income is below the threshold?

It is possible to submit a well-argued file, including:

• A detailed household budget
• Documented evidence of expenses and resources
• A demonstration that the household will not become an unreasonable burden

If in doubt, it is strongly recommended to consult a specialised lawyer.

Validity and renewal of the residence permit

The first residence permit is granted for 1 year.

The stay is renewable if the following conditions are met:

• Sufficient resources
• Effective cohabitation
• Good integration
• No serious facts contrary to public order