Belgium: immigration

How many people apply for asylum in Belgium?

The Immigration Office registered 2,142 applicants for international protection in August 2026, according to the CGRS. Afghanistan, Palestine and Eritrea were the top countries of origin.

Each person, including children, is counted separately. For full years, Eurostat records 27,540 first-time applicants in 2025, against 32,710 in 2024. The CGRS publishes figures each month, about two weeks after the month ends. From 12 June 2026 it applies the new EU rules of the Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Official sources: CGRS: asylum statistics August 2026 · Eurostat: asylum applicants, annual

How many asylum claims are accepted in Belgium?

The protection rate was 23% in August 2026, according to the CGRS. It took 2,242 decisions that month, concerning 2,724 persons.

The protection rate is the share of decisions that grant refugee status or subsidiary protection. At the end of August 2026 the CGRS had 27,514 cases without a decision; it considers 6,500 a normal caseload and puts the backlog at 21,014 cases. Monthly rates vary with the mix of nationalities decided.

Official sources: CGRS: asylum statistics August 2026

How many asylum seekers are in reception centres in Belgium?

25,003 people received a place in the Fedasil reception network in 2025, 5% fewer than in 2024, according to Fedasil. 26,602 people left the network during the year.

Fedasil reports that the average stay was 449 days and that people with a positive decision still needed an average of 173 days to leave. The average occupancy rate of the network was about 94% in 2025. The network includes collective centres run by Fedasil and partners and individual housing run by local social welfare centres.

Official sources: Fedasil: reception figures in 2025

How many immigrants come to Belgium each year?

162,926 people immigrated to Belgium in 2024, compared with 169,609 in 2023, according to Eurostat immigration data.

The count includes Belgian citizens returning from abroad as well as foreign nationals, and is based on registrations in the national register reported by Statbel. Asylum seekers are counted once they are entered in the population register. The Federal Migration Centre, Myria publishes an annual report on migration in Belgium.

Official sources: Eurostat: immigration by citizenship

How many people become Belgian citizens each year?

60,108 people acquired Belgian citizenship in 2024, up from 55,213 in 2023, according to Eurostat citizenship data.

The count includes all routes to nationality, such as declaration after legal residence, marriage and birth in Belgium. Applications are made at the municipality of residence, and the conditions are set out in the Belgian Nationality Code. Eurostat breaks the figures down by former citizenship, age and sex.

Official sources: Eurostat: acquisition of citizenship

How many immigrants live in Belgium?

The UN Population Division puts the share of people born abroad in Belgium at 20.0% in 2024. It was 16.1% in 2015. Europe & Central Asia median: 11.7%; Belgium is 10th highest of 52. Worldwide: 28th of 193.

How many people move to Belgium each year?

31,989: that is net migration in Belgium for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 118,615; its low point was 2021, at 24,017. Europe & Central Asia median: 158; Belgium is 10th highest of 52. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 27th highest.

How many refugees live in Belgium?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees in the country in Belgium at 186,393 in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Europe & Central Asia median: 62,365; Belgium is 13th highest of 50. World rank, highest first: 36th of 169.

How many refugees have fled Belgium?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Belgium at 113 in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 533, and Belgium placed 34th highest of 49. World rank, highest first: 147th of 189.

How much are remittances to Belgium?

In 2025, personal remittances received in Belgium was 2.3% of GDP, according to the World Bank. The peak was 2.5% of GDP in 2020 and the low 1.8% of GDP in 2006. It is 18th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 1.4% of GDP. Of 127 countries with 2025 data, 60th highest.