Interesting links
- Flanders' international policy
- Representatives
- Want to work in Flanders?
- Want to move to Flanders?
- Want to visit Flanders?
- Want to invest in Flanders?
- Study in Flanders
- newspaper: flanderstoday.eu
- Flandersnews.be
- More interesting links
Qualifications for entering Flanders
Qualifications for entering Flanders no different from the qualifications for entering Belgium
The general principle
Belgium is a federal state, Flanders is one of Belgium's regions. Entering Flemish territory equals entering Belgian territory. If you want to enter Flanders, you have to observe the Belgian legislation.
The Belgian state is free to lay down the rules concerning foreigners entering/staying/working in Belgium.
There is a difference between a stay of less than three months and a stay of longer than three months.
A historical overview of international commitments
The Belgian rules regarding the access and residence of foreigners are built on the international commitments Belgium entered into in the past.
Benelux
On 11 April 1960, Belgium stepped into an agreement with the Netherlands and Luxembourg to set up common rules concerning the entry, transit and residence of foreigners in the Benelux. This for a visit no longer than three months.
The free movement of persons is guaranteed within the Benelux for:
- any Benelux national
- any foreigner who legally enters the territory of one of the Benelux countries or resides there legally
Schengen
In June 1985, Belgium signed a treaty with the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany and France to end internal border checkpoints and controls. This treaty wash signed in Schengen, Luxemburg. Since then, more countries have joined the treaty. At present there are 25 Schengen countries: their nationals may freely move around in the other Schengen countries.
The 25 Schengen countries are, in alphabetical order:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
All these countries are European Union members, except for Norway, Switzerland and Iceland.
The European Union
You'll find more information on free movement within the European Union through the links below.