Belgium Spouse Visa
The Belgium Spouse Visa allows the foreign husband or wife of someone living in Belgium to join them, but the legal basis depends on the sponsoring spouse’s status. If your spouse is Belgian, or an EU/EEA/Swiss national, your application falls under Articles 40bis and 47/2 of the Belgian Immigration Act (transposing EU Directive 2004/38/EC), and the visa itself is free of charge. If your spouse is a third-country national holding a Belgian residence permit, your application instead falls under Articles 10/10bis, the standard family reunification framework, which carries a visa fee and stricter income and housing requirements. Since a broad migration reform package took effect through 2026, both routes face tighter scrutiny — most notably a formalised minimum age of 21 for partners and stricter, actively enforced income checks. As with every Belgium Visa category, the final decision on approval rests solely with the Immigration Office.
Eligibility
If your spouse is Belgian, EU, EEA, or Swiss:
- Your marriage is legally recognised, or you are in a registered partnership considered equivalent to marriage in Belgium.
- Your EU/EEA/Swiss spouse can demonstrate sufficient resources so they will not become a burden on the Belgian social assistance system (this condition varies depending on the specific basis of their own residence in Belgium).
- Both partners are over 21 years of age, or over 18 if you cohabited for at least one year before your spouse’s arrival in Belgium.
If your spouse is a third-country national with a Belgian residence permit:
- Your marriage is legally recognised under Belgian law.
- Your spouse (the sponsor) can demonstrate stable and sufficient income — as of 2026, generally at least 110% of the Belgian minimum wage, plus 10% per additional dependent.
- Your spouse can show suitable housing for you both in Belgium.
- Both spouses are generally at least 21 years old.
Government Visa Fees
| Category | Fee |
| Family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss/Belgian national (Article 40bis) | Free of charge |
| Type D visa (spouse of a third-country national resident, Articles 10/10bis) | €180 per person |
| Residence permit for family reunion (in Belgium, after arrival) | Approximately €313 (indexed) |
Fees are non-refundable, whatever the decision on the application.
Processing Time
For spouses of Belgian, EU, EEA, or Swiss nationals, processing is generally faster, though it still depends on the completeness of the file and the workload of the relevant consular post — applicants should expect a response within a few months in straightforward cases. For spouses of third-country national sponsors under the standard family reunification framework, the Immigration Office has up to 9 months to decide, with the possibility of extensions, particularly where information is missing or where the applicant is a registered partner rather than a spouse (which can also mean the file is automatically forwarded to the Immigration Office for approval rather than decided at the consular post).
Required Documents Checklist
Article 40bis route (spouse of Belgian/EU/EEA/Swiss national):
- Valid passport
- Marriage certificate or proof of registered partnership, legalised or apostilled
- Proof of the EU/EEA/Swiss or Belgian spouse’s residence and, where relevant, sufficient resources
- Recent passport-sized photo (ICAO compliant)
- Completed visa application form (boxes 21, 22, 30, 31, and 32 do not need to be completed under this route)
Articles 10/10bis route (spouse of a third-country national resident):
- Valid passport (with sufficient remaining validity, at least 2 blank pages)
- Marriage certificate, legalised or apostilled and translated as required
- Proof of the sponsoring spouse’s Belgian residence permit
- Proof of the sponsor’s income meeting the current threshold
- Proof of suitable housing in Belgium
- Completed and signed Type D visa application form, submitted via registered post
Information may vary depending on individual circumstances and the sponsoring spouse’s nationality and status.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Article 40bis route:
- Confirm your spouse’s EU/EEA/Swiss/Belgian nationality and, where relevant, their basis of residence in Belgium.
- Complete the visa application form (noting the exempted boxes for this route).
- Submit your application directly at the Belgian embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence.
- Await the decision — most straightforward applications are processed without being escalated to the Immigration Office.
- Once approved, travel to Belgium and register at your local municipality.
Articles 10/10bis route:
- Confirm your spouse’s Belgian residence permit and gather proof of their income and housing.
- Complete and sign the Type D visa application form and submit it via registered post to the relevant Belgian embassy or consulate.
- The embassy forwards the file to the Immigration Office if required.
- Await the decision, generally within 9 months (extendable).
- Once approved, travel to Belgium and register with your local municipality (commune) within 8 days of arrival.
Important Notes
Why Choose Shivansh Consultants
Applying for a Belgium Spouse Visa requires accurate documentation, proof of a genuine marital relationship, and compliance with Belgian immigration regulations. At Shivansh Consultants, we provide personalized guidance and end-to-end support, assisting you with visa application forms, marriage documentation, relationship evidence, financial documents, accommodation details, and all required supporting paperwork. Our experienced consultants carefully review every document to help minimize errors and delays while ensuring your application meets the applicable visa requirements. We are committed to delivering transparent, reliable, and client-focused assistance throughout your Belgium Spouse Visa application process. While the final decision on visa approval rests solely with the Belgian immigration authorities, our goal is to help you submit a complete, accurate, and well-prepared Belgium Spouse Visa application with confidence.