BELGIUM 

CITIZENSHIP: Belgian citizenship is based upon the Code of Belgian Nationality, dated June 28, 1984, and amended January 1, 1992.

• BY BIRTH: Birth within the territory of Belgium does not automatically confer citizenship.
• BY DESCENT:
• Child born in Belgium, at least one of whose parents is a citizen of Belgium. This same rule applies for an adopted child.
• Child born abroad, at least one of whose parents was a native-born citizen of Belgium. Parents have up to five years to register child.
• CHILDREN OF IMMIGRANTS: Citizenship may be granted when:
• Child is born in Belgium to non-citizens who were also born in Belgium.
• Child is born to non-citizens who have lived in Belgium at least 10 years before the birth of the child and who have filed a citizenship claim for the child.
• Child born in Belgium, who has resided there continuously since birth, may make a declaration of Belgian nationality between the ages of 18 and 30.
• BY NATURALIZATION: Belgian citizenship may be acquired upon fulfillment of the following conditions: Person is at least 18 years of age and has resided in country for at least 5 years.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP:  NOT RECOGNIZED.Exception: Belgian children born abroad, who received the citizenship of country of birth, mayhold dual citizenship until age 18.

LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP:

• VOLUNTARY: Voluntary renunciation of citizenship can only be made if the person holds another citizenship or acquires it at the time of the declaration. Renunciations may be sent to the nearest Belgian Embassy.
• INVOLUNTARY: The following are grounds for involuntary loss of Belgian citizenship:
• Person voluntarily acquires foreign citizenship.
• Person, born abroad and not in the service of Belgium, who lives abroad from age 18 to 28, without making a declaration of citizenship.