On this page, you will find:
To find organisations working for LGBTQI+ rights, visit our Belgium LGBTQI+ Resources page.
For Belgium country of information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents visit our Belgium COI page.
Refugee protection
Click here to see the numbers and origins of refugees hosted by Belgium.
The following sections contain information on the most important international treaties and agreements of which Belgium is signatory, as well as national legislation relevant to the protection of refugees.
Since 1953 Belgium has been a party to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, which provides the internationally recognised definition of a refugee and outlines the legal protection, rights, and assistance a refugee is entitled to receive, and since 1969 to its 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees which expanded the Convention to apply universally and protect all persons fleeing conflict and persecution.
Belgium has a reservation to Article 15 of the 1951 Convention, which means refugees who lawfully stay in Belgian territory will not enjoy the same level of treatment as nationals – they will be treated as aliens. As noted by UNHCR, such reservations can limit refugees’ core rights, including rights to dignity and freedom from discrimination. See more information on Belgium’s reservations under the 1951 Convention here.
Belgium accepted the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, which established a framework for the international protection of stateless persons, in 1960, and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, which set rules for the conferral and non-withdrawal of citizenship to prevent cases of statelessness from arising, in 2014.
As part of the European Union (EU), Belgium is bound by the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) which aims at introducing EU – wide standards for the equal treatment and protection of refugees, migrants and asylum seekers entering the EU. The system is governed by five legislative instruments and one agency:
- Asylum Procedures Directive, aiming at setting out the conditions for fair, quick and quality decisions;
- Reception Conditions Directive, providing common standards for reception conditions across the EU;
- Qualification Directive, clarifying grounds for granting international protection
- Dublin Regulation, establishing the State responsible for examining the application
- EURODAC Directive, governing the EU database of asylum seekers fingerprints;
- European Union Agency for Asylum, providing operational and technical assistance to EU Member States in the assessment of applications for international protection.
The CEAS has been reformed by the New Pact on Migration and Asylum (the Pact), approved in 2024 and set to take effect in 2026. The Pact presents a complex package of ten legislative files intended to reform the EU’s migration and asylum system by establishing new EU – wide solutions to long – standing migration challenges.
Whilst the Pact has been presented by EU institutions as delivering the intended results while remaining grounded in European values, human rights organisations and migration experts have long opposed and criticised its reforms. Here you can find a point by point analysis of the Pact by the European Council on Refugees and Exiles.
In addition to its obligations as a state party to the international instruments mentioned above, Belgium is obligated to respect the international customary legal principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits any country from deporting any person to a country where they face the threat of persecution.
Belgium has also ratified several other international legal instruments that also relate to treatment of refugees, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD), the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and the Convention Against Torture (CAT).
Belgium’s main legislative acts relevant to asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention, and the content of protection are the 1980 Law regarding the entry, residence, settlement and removal of aliens. This law defines refugees in accordance with the 1951 Refugee Convention and outlines the conditions for subsidiary protection if asylum protection conditions are not met. Article 48/3/1 makes clear that refugees are not be expelled or subjected to refoulement when they submit their application and whilst their application is being examined by the Commissioner-General for Refugees and Stateless Persons.
More recently, in 2007, the Law regarding the reception of asylum seekers and other categories of aliens passed. This law provides for refugees to receive reception in line with human dignity, which includes accommodation, food, clothing, medical, social and psychological support, financial allowance, legal aid, access to services including interpretation and training, and access to a voluntary return programme. It also sets out limits to this right in exceptional circumstances (primarily non-compliance) and once a claim has been denied and appeals are no longer admissible.
The Refugee Status Determination (RSD) is managed by Belgium authorities. UNHCR has no formal role in this procedure and does not get involved in individual requests, but you can consult their overview page for information here.
Key authorities are the Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS), which is responsible for processing asylum applications and deciding whether someone should be granted protection, and the Federal Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (Fedasil), who are responsible for the reception of asylum seekers.
In the latest Universal Periodic Review (2021), UNHCR criticised Belgium’s lack of access to the international protection procedure and its detention of refugees at the border, in particular its practice of detaining children. It also criticised the inability to bring a judicial review against the decision of detention, on the grounds of necessity or proportionality.
The Asylum Information (AIDA) provides a summary of the relevant legislation and policy in Belgium, which you can find here.
See the Immigration Office (IO) website for all the information you need about the asylum procedure here.
Applications for asylum have to be submitted to the IO. If you are at the border, your application has to be made in person to the border control authorities. If you are already in the territory of Belgium, the application has to be made in person at the IO – you can find location details here.
Once your application has been submitted, you are entitled to reception which is provided by Fedasil until a decision about your application has been made.
Because Belgium follows the Dublin Regulation, the IO will determine whether or not Belgium is responsible for processing your application by considering whether you have already applied for asylum in another EU member state, using the EURODAC fingerprint system.
If Belgium is responsible, the application for asylum is sent to the CGRS for examination. The CGRS will examine your application, interview you, and make a decision as to whether or not it grants you refugee status.
If your asylum application has been rejected, you have a right to appeal the decision before the Council for Alien Law Litigation (CALL) with the help of a lawyer.
In addition, you can make a new application with the IO if you received a decision of refusal and after the appeal procedure has ended, but only on the grounds that there is new evidence that would increase your chance of obtaining protection status.
For additional guidance on applying for asylum in Belgium, please consult UNHCR’s Belgium Help page, CGRS’s short video on the asylum procedure in Belgium, CGRS’s website, the Council for Alien Law Litigation’s website, or Fedasil’s website.
Legal aid organisations
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Address: Rue Jean d’Outremeuse 93 4020 Liège
Tel : +32 04 342 06 02
Email: administration@apdasbl.be
Aid to Displaced Persons is a non-profit NGO in Wallonia that provides administrative, legal, and psychosocial assistance to all migrants through phone helpdesk and by appointment. It also organises civic integration and French language classes. It has locations in Liège, Namur, and Braine-le-Comte. Contact details and postal address for these locations can be found here.
Address: Rue du Boulet 22, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgique
Tel: + 32 02 227 42 41
Opening hours: Monday and Thursday at 9am (general questions) and Tuesday 1:30pm (international family law)
Email: servicejuridique@adde.be (general questions) or dip@adde.be (international family law)
ADDE is a non-governmental research centre based in Brussels which promotes foreigners’ rights and studies issues related to migration and cultural diversity. The centre answers legal questions relating to residence, family reunification, asylum, work, and social assistance through a phone helpdesk and by appointment. It also runs a social service (by appointment only). It does not intervene in job search or housing.
Address: Rue du Viviers, 80/82, B-1050 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0) 2 629 77 10
Fax: +32 (0) 2 629 77 33
Email: cire@cire.be (general) or ada@cire.be (reception for asylum seekers)
CIRE co-ordinates a network of NGOs providing services to refugees including accommodation (with over 600 beds across the network), assistance in finding and affording more permanent accommodation, visits to detention centres, French language classes and assistance integrating into Belgian culture, interpretation, and aid in voluntary repatriation. It also works on advocacy around migration policy. To contact specific services at the organisation, please click here, and select under the service you wish to contact, practical information for the service contact details.
Address: ALTEA, Boulevard Louis Schmidt 56, 1040 Etterbeek (Belgium)
Tel.: +32 (0)22194340
Email: cv@altea.be (Director Céline Verbrouck)
Intact specialises in legal issues related to female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C). It takes legal action to combat the practice of FGM/C, supporting individuals and professionals in legal or judicial proceedings. This includes legal and judicial consultations, follow-up of applications for asylum, support for professionals working with child victims or children at risk, and organising a training symposium on FGM/C. For emergencies, use the contact details here.
Address: Rue Maurice Liétart 31/9 1150 Woluwe- Saint – Pierre
Tel: +32 2 738 0818
Email: info@jrsbelgium.org
JRS Belgium visits and provides services to asylum seekers and irregular migrants detained in administrative detention centres. It is the only Belgian organisation visiting all five detention centres on a weekly basis. These visits take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the day.
JRS along with Caritas and Cire, are also part of the Move coalition, which provides socio – legal support to detainees through accredited visitors in all detention centres in Belgium and advocates for those in immigration detention. See here for more details about the coalition.
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Address: Rue de la Charité 43, 1210 Brussels
Tel +32 2 229 36 11
Fax +32 2 229 36 36
Email: infofr@caritasint.be
Caritas International in Belgium is based in Brussels and organises the reception of applicants of international protection, assists refugees with integration issues, and provides family reunification and voluntary return support to migrants. It employs lawyers who advise on reception arrangement, the asylum procedure, family reunification, custody of unaccompanied children, housing, debt, social rights, and discrimination. It also visits migrants in detention centres and has a team of professional guardians for unaccompanied minors. Please click here for further contact details including the contact form.
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Address: Sint – Jacobsmarkt 39 2000 Antwerp
Tel: +32 080013500 (general) or 03 235 34 05 (CAW Migration Advice Centre)
Opening hours: Monday and Friday 10 AM to 12 PM and 2 PM to 4 PM, Wednesday 2 PM to 4 PM, Thursday 5 PM to 7 PM
Email: info@caw.be (general questions) or adviescentrum.migratie@cawantwerpen.be (CAW Migration Advice Centre)
The Centrum Algemeen Welzijnswerk is a Flemish network made up of 11 centres spread across Flanders and Brussels. It provides advice and counselling on topics including mental health, administration issues, and migration issues. It runs a psycho-educational programme for refugees and may be able to provide temporary shelter to those in need. It also runs a Migration Advice Centre that provides socio-legal assistance, including information for refugees about Belgium’s asylum procedure. You need to make an appointment using the contract details above before attending the centre. See here for the organisation’s different location details.
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Address: Rue du Charroi 35, 1190 Forest
Tel: +32 02 503 43 46
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9 AM to 12 noon (walk ins) / Thursday 5 PM to 8 PM (by appointment)
Email: info@convivial.be
Convivial is a non-profit organisation that is recognised as an official integration agency for newcomers with legal stay (including refugees) in Brussels. Convivial provides support through social assistance (administrative, legal, psychological, and family reunification), French language, civic integration classes, psychosocial help, job search guidance, housing assistance, and material assistance to refugees. You can also contact the team based on the services you need here.
Address: Myria, Place Victor Horta 40, box 40, 1060 Saint-Gilles (Brussels)
Tel: +32 (0)2 212 30 00 (general enquiry) / +32 (0) 800 14 912 (legal advice or information)
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM (closed on public holidays)
Email: myria@myria.be
Myria, the Belgian Federal Migration Centre, is an independent public institution based in Brussels that analyses migration and offers legal advice and information on migration issues including family reunification, detention, and closed centres. You can contact them via phone – in-person visits require an appointment. Myria is also UNHCR’s implementing partner in Belgium for family reunification.
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Address: Rue Émile Féron 153, 1060 Brussels
Tel: +32 487846540
Email:
For questions related to individual cases: dossiers@nansenrefugee.be
For general questions: info@nansenrefugee.be
Address: Rue du Boulet, 26 1000 Brussels
Tel: + 32 02 649 99 58
Email: sireas@sireas.be
Groupe Sireas is a non-profit organisation located in Brussels, Namur, and Liège (Wallonia), which supports migrants to access their rights, including applying for residence and work permits, social security, housing, health, and schooling. They provide social and legal services, as well as different training to enhance socio-professional integration.
Address: Rue de la Colline 18, 4800 Verviers
Tel: +32 087341053
Email: info@espace28.be
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 9 AM to 12 PM and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM (legal and social services) / 9 AM to 5 PM (general)
Located in Verviers (Wallonia), Espace 28 is a non-profit organisation providing local legal, psychological, and other support services to migrants, especially applicants for international protection and refugees. Espace28 also offers French language, civic integration courses, and activities in the community for migrants with legal stay.
Address: Social House in Mechelen, Lange Schipstraat 27, 2800 Mechelen
Tel: 0486054927 (Leen Geys)
Steunpunt Asiel & Migratie vzw is a non-profit organisation in Mechelen (Flanders) committed to helping all migrants. It gives judicial advice, administrative support (including for finding a home), psychosocial support, and food support to people dealing with precarious residence permits. To visit the organisation, you need to make an appointment with Lee Geys via telephone.
Address: Rue Maghin, 33, 4000 Liège, Belgique
Tel: +32 04 227 69 51
Fax: +32 04 227 42 64
email: info@pointdappui.be
Located in Liège (Wallonia), Point d’Appui ASBL is a non-profit organisation providing legal support to migrants, especially to persons staying in Belgium irregularly and persons in precarious stay (including applicants for international protection). To visit the organisation in-person, you need to make an appointment via the contact details above.
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Address: Kruidtuinstraat 75, 1210 Brussels
Tel : +32 02 225 44 00
Fax : +32 02 201 03 76
Email: info@vluchtelingenwerk.be
Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 1 PM to 4 PM (legal helpdesk)
Flemish Refugee Action offers expert information, training, publications, and extensive helpdesks to professionals and volunteers working with, assisting or counselling refugees. They develop innovative working methods for social assistants and governments.
Organisations providing other support to refugees
Address: Espace Henry Duant, Boulevard Ernest Mélot, 42, B – 5000 Namur
Tel: 105 (toll-free)
Fax: +32 2 646 04 39
Email: info@croix-rouge.be
The Croix-Rouge de Belgique is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the world’s largest humanitarian network. The Movement is bound by seven fundamental principles, including humanity, impartiality, and neutrality, so they help people according to need and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, nationality, sex, gender, or disability.
The national society offers a range of services including blood donations, medical transport, and responding to and raising awareness of international humanitarian emergencies. Specifically for refugees, the society is mandated by the Belgian State to receive and accompany applicants who seek international protection including refugees. As such, it assists refugees in understanding the French language, provides reception, supports children to attend school, and provides expert support to vulnerable people including unaccompanied minors, victims of abuse, and those who need mental health support. You can find more information about their support to refugees here, and further contact details based on the services you need, here.
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Address: Rue Gabrielle Petitstraat, 6 1080 Brussels
Tel.: +32 (0)2 219 43 40
Email: info@gams.be
GAMS Belguim organises community awareness-raising activities, briefings and training for professionals, and national and international advocacy for the abolition of FGM/C. GAMS supports survivors of FGM/C by guiding them to health and legal aid services. It also offers individual psychological counselling and group workshops.
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Address: Quai du Commerce 9, 1000 Brussels
Tel: +32 2250 12 30
Email: cncd@cncd.be
With a view to promoting a just and sustainable world, CNCD-11.11.11 co-ordinates the voice of more than 70 Belgian international solidarity NGOs and thousands of volunteers to organise Operation 11.11.11 (funding fifty development programs in the global south), coordinate awareness-raising campaigns in Belgium around global citizenship and solidarity, and challenge political leaders through advocacy.
Address: Rue Ducale 41, 1000 Brussels
Tel: +32 2 781 08 23
No Peace Without Justice works with women’s rights activists across the world to address FGM/C and other forms of violence against women, including forced marriage, marital rape, denial of reproductive rights, and other violations against women. They work towards achieving specific and effective legislative measures that provide legitimacy, protection, and essential legal tools to women’s rights advocates and to victims and potential victims. Please note that they do not provide direct support to victims and survivors.
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Address: Rue Haute 296 1000 Brussels (central reception) or Rue Haute 298a 1000 Brussels (administrative headquarters)
Tel: +32 02 543 63 39 (central reception) / +32 02 543 61 11 (administrative headquarters)
Email: info@cpasbxl.brussels
The OCMW is a government agency which provides several social services to people who have insufficient means of subsistence or do not have a permanent place of residence. Social services include financial assistance, emergency medical aid, and social emergencies. Every municipality or city has its own OCMW office. If you want to apply for social assistance from the OCMW, you should visit their office in your municipality after first making contact with the central reception. The list of their offices and contact details are here.
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Address: Boulevard Poincaré 68-70, 1070 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0)800 99 340
Email: info@samusocial.be
Samusocial is an association in Brussels providing free emergency support (shelter, medical, and psychosocial support) to homeless people and asylum seekers. Samusocial is appointed by the Fedasil agency to manage reception for asylum seekers in the Brussels region.
Address: Avenue Louise 283, B-1050 Brussels, BC, Belgium
Tel+ 32 (0) 472 18 92 65 (UNHCR help) / +32 2 627 5999 (general)
Opening hours: Tuesday 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM / Thursday 1:30 PM to 4:30 PMpm
Email: belbr@unhcr.org
UNHCR in Belgium advises international protection institutions and relevant actors (including lawyers and NGOs) on refugee law to ensure they comply with the international legal standards. It also informs and assists refugees about their rights and obligations. In exceptional cases, it may intervene in court proceedings that are precedent-setting for the international protection of refugees. It also advocates for comprehensive measures to ensure protection of refugee rights internationally, regionally, and nationally and raises awareness of refugees via local media and national press. You can find more information about its work here.
Email: contact@w2eu.info or w2eu_info@yahoo.com
Welcome to Europe’s website provides an independent source of information for refugees coming to Europe, helping with access to counselling and useful contacts in different European countries.
Belgium LGBTQI+ Resources
Find organisations working for refugee LGBTQI+ rights in Belgium.
Belgium COI
Find Belgium Country of Origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents.
We are always looking to expand the resources on our platform. If you know about relevant resources, or you are aware of organisations and/or individuals to include in our directories, please get in touch.
Last updated April 2026
