Belgium received 34,439 asylum applications in 2025—nearly one-third fewer than forecasts made at the start of the year—thanks to a package of “crisis measures” introduced by Minister of Asylum and Migration Nicole Van Bossuyt. The biggest drop came between September and December, when monthly filings declined 28 % versus the same period in 2024, according to Immigration Office statistics published on 14 January.
Key elements of the emergency plan include faster triage of manifestly unfounded claims, expanded return agreements with Georgia and Albania, and tighter rules on reception-centre stays for applicants who have already been granted protection in another EU state. The government also increased staffing for the Council for Alien Law Litigation to tackle a backlog of appeals.
For travelers, employers, and legal advisers trying to keep pace with Belgium’s evolving entry rules, VisaHQ offers a convenient one-stop service for visa applications and residency paperwork, with real-time updates and personalized support—see https://www.visahq.com/belgium/ for details.
![Belgium’s asylum applications fall 28 % after emergency policy, says migration minister]()
Van Bossuyt argues that the measures have ended Belgium’s reputation as an “easy entry” point and brought national trends back in line with the EU average, where applications dropped 13 % last year. Critics, including the NGO Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen, say the policy risks violating international protection standards and merely shifts pressure to neighbouring countries.
For employers, fewer asylum seekers entering Belgium could tighten certain segments of the secondary labour market that traditionally draw on applicants with the right to work. Conversely, faster processing may help qualified refugees obtain work authorisations more quickly, easing skills shortages in logistics and care.
The minister hinted that a second legislative package—covering quicker deportations for rejected applicants—will be tabled before the summer. Companies relying on humanitarian-work schemes should monitor the proposals, as work-permit eligibility rules could be revised.
Key elements of the emergency plan include faster triage of manifestly unfounded claims, expanded return agreements with Georgia and Albania, and tighter rules on reception-centre stays for applicants who have already been granted protection in another EU state. The government also increased staffing for the Council for Alien Law Litigation to tackle a backlog of appeals.
For travelers, employers, and legal advisers trying to keep pace with Belgium’s evolving entry rules, VisaHQ offers a convenient one-stop service for visa applications and residency paperwork, with real-time updates and personalized support—see https://www.visahq.com/belgium/ for details.
Van Bossuyt argues that the measures have ended Belgium’s reputation as an “easy entry” point and brought national trends back in line with the EU average, where applications dropped 13 % last year. Critics, including the NGO Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen, say the policy risks violating international protection standards and merely shifts pressure to neighbouring countries.
For employers, fewer asylum seekers entering Belgium could tighten certain segments of the secondary labour market that traditionally draw on applicants with the right to work. Conversely, faster processing may help qualified refugees obtain work authorisations more quickly, easing skills shortages in logistics and care.
The minister hinted that a second legislative package—covering quicker deportations for rejected applicants—will be tabled before the summer. Companies relying on humanitarian-work schemes should monitor the proposals, as work-permit eligibility rules could be revised.
