Recovering Belgian Citizenship
In the past, individuals with Belgian citizenship have automatically or voluntarily lost their citizenship. Former Belgians can however submit a request to recover their lost nationality (Article 24 of the Belgian Nationality Code).
In practice, successive legislative changes to the Belgian Citizenship Code have made recovery requests complex. Based upon our analysis, the current system for recovering Belgian nationality is inconsistent, discriminatory, in violation of the legitimate expectations of those concerned and in total contradiction with the spirit of the law.
By way of example, some former Belgians are in fact authorised to submit requests for recovery of Belgian nationality directly to the diplomatic post in their country of residence, where others can, in principle, only submit their application from a Belgian territory following a minimum of one year of residence in Belgium.
At Altea, we are particularly concerned by the unique situation of these former Belgian citizens whom we consider discriminated against by the law, thereby being deprived of an important part of their identity and their ties to Belgium. These particularly complex legal situations deserve close attention and counsel from specialists.
Altea can provide you with the services of a lawyer who is an expert in your situation.
Contact Céline Verbrouck or Catherine de Bouyalski, specialist lawyers in immigration law and international family law, certified by the Order of Lawyers of the Bar of Brussels.