Belgium: Families Residing in Brussels Must Complete Civic Integration

Effective July 1, the Brussels region now requires mandatory civic integration for family members of employment-based permit holders who are staying in the region for over three months. Individuals subject to integration requirements are required to enrol in an integration course within six months of receiving a valid residence permit and must complete the integration program within 18 months of enrolment. Family members with prior education in Belgium may be exempt; however, current permit holders are not exempt from this requirement. Authorities are expected to be lenient in penalizing individuals for late or incomplete integration during a transitional phase.