Belgium’s federal government has revived one of its most contentious migration proposals: allowing police to enter private residences to apprehend people who have ignored deportation orders. On Friday, 3 April, the Council of Ministers approved the draft bill at second reading, sending it to the Council of State for legal review before a parliamentary vote expected later this spring. Under the text, police officers may accompany officials of the Immigration Office (DVZ) into a home if three conditions are met: the individual is under a final order to leave, has refused to cooperate with removal, and is deemed a threat to public order or national security. Any entry would still require prior authorisation from an investigating judge, and the operation must be carried out between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden says the reform will make Belgium’s “return policy” credible, while Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt argues it closes a loophole that lets “criminal illegals hide behind their front doors.” Human-rights organisations and several opposition parties warn that the measure risks breaching the inviolability of the home protected by Article 15 of the Belgian Constitution and Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. A similar proposal collapsed in 2018 because French-speaking liberals withdrew support; the current coalition insists that new safeguards now strike the right balance between enforcement and fundamental rights.
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For organisations and individuals navigating these shifting rules, VisaHQ can provide timely assistance. Through its Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/), the service simplifies visa applications, monitors expiry dates, and offers up-to-date guidance to help employers, contractors and their families stay compliant—reducing the risk of overstays that could lead to the type of enforcement action envisioned in the new bill.
If enacted, the law will have practical implications for relocation providers and employers hosting foreign contractors. Individuals who overstay a work permit and subsequently ignore an order to leave could face doorstep arrests and immediate transfer to a closed detention centre. HR teams should reinforce compliance checks on visa expiries, ensure prompt renewal submissions, and prepare contingency plans for family members who might be affected by unannounced enforcement actions. The bill’s progress will be closely watched across the EU, where other member states are also toughening return measures ahead of the bloc’s Pact on Migration and Asylum. For Belgium, success or failure could shape the political narrative heading into the 2026 municipal elections.
For organisations and individuals navigating these shifting rules, VisaHQ can provide timely assistance. Through its Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/), the service simplifies visa applications, monitors expiry dates, and offers up-to-date guidance to help employers, contractors and their families stay compliant—reducing the risk of overstays that could lead to the type of enforcement action envisioned in the new bill.
If enacted, the law will have practical implications for relocation providers and employers hosting foreign contractors. Individuals who overstay a work permit and subsequently ignore an order to leave could face doorstep arrests and immediate transfer to a closed detention centre. HR teams should reinforce compliance checks on visa expiries, ensure prompt renewal submissions, and prepare contingency plans for family members who might be affected by unannounced enforcement actions. The bill’s progress will be closely watched across the EU, where other member states are also toughening return measures ahead of the bloc’s Pact on Migration and Asylum. For Belgium, success or failure could shape the political narrative heading into the 2026 municipal elections.
