Belgium has long stood out in Europe for allowing unmarried international couples to build a life together without first tying the knot. A feature article published by The Brussels Times on 22 May 2026 lifts the lid on the country’s “statutory cohabitation visa” and the bureaucratic steps that follow once a foreign partner sets foot on Belgian soil. Unlike the well-known 90-day fiancée route in the United States, Belgium’s framework lets partners arrive on a short-stay Type-C (or, more prudently, a long-stay Type-D) visa, register at the local commune and sign a legal cohabitation declaration. Doing so triggers issuance of the orange card (annex 19 ter) – a temporary stay permit – while authorities verify the relationship, conduct a police address check and assess income and health-insurance cover. Once the file is approved, the foreign partner receives a five-year F-card, with the possibility of a permanent F+ card after five continuous years of residence. To qualify, both partners must generally be at least 21 (18 if they have already lived together a year) and prove the relationship is “stable and lasting” – for example by showing 12 months of co-habitation, two years of documented contact plus at least 45 days spent together, or a common child. Financially, the Belgian sponsor must earn at least €2,408.79 net per month (110 % of the guaranteed minimum wage), with a 10 % surcharge per dependent. A clean criminal record and Schengen-compliant travel insurance remain mandatory. For mobility managers and global-talent teams, the scheme offers an attractive alternative to marriage-based family-reunification rules in neighbouring countries such as Germany and the Netherlands, which typically demand a wedding certificate or impose tighter relationship evidence. HR should, however, alert employees to practical pitfalls: inconsistent town-hall instructions, prolonged waits for the definitive F-card (during which travel outside Belgium is barred) and income-threshold hikes each January. Companies that cover immigration costs may wish to budget for apostilles, translations and multiple commune appointments. From a policy perspective, Belgium’s approach reflects a broader EU trend towards recognising diverse family forms while still tightening economic-self-sufficiency tests. Immigration advisers expect additional guidance later this year once federal authorities complete a review of fraud‐prevention controls, particularly around sham relationships. Until then, the statutory cohabitation visa remains one of Europe’s more flexible pathways for relocating couples who prefer commitment without matrimony.
Source: The Brussels Times
