Belgium
Belgium
UNHCR works with Belgium to uphold refugee rights, improve reception conditions, and ensure protection remains central in asylum policy and practice.
Are you a refugee, asylum-seeker or stateless person looking for help? Visit the HELP site to find support and services from UNHCR.
UNHCR has maintained a presence in Belgium since 1952, just one year after the 1951 Refugee Convention came into force. The UNHCR multi-country office based in Brussels works to ensure that laws, policies, and practices align with international protection standards across Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal.
In Belgium, UNHCR collaborates closely with authorities and civil society actors supporting refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons. This includes legal and policy advice, technical support, and awareness campaigns aimed at fostering public solidarity and understanding of refugee issues.
In 2024, the national political landscape shifted significantly following elections that brought to power parties with stricter asylum and migration agendas. Delays in government formation and increasingly negative rhetoric resulted in reduced investment in reception systems, with growing numbers of asylum-seekers left without adequate shelter or access to basic services. These challenges were compounded by a high-profile embezzlement scandal involving Caritas, affecting service continuity and civil society trust.
The adoption of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum further influenced Belgium’s approach to asylum, requiring reforms to harmonize procedures while safeguarding protection standards. UNHCR continues to engage with Belgian institutions, civil society, and EU actors to promote fair, efficient, and rights-based asylum systems. At the same time, shifts in EU development funding away from fragile contexts raise broader concerns about the root causes of displacement and sustainable solutions.
Belgium as a donor
Find out more about the funds raised by the government and private sector in Belgium to support UNHCR.
The Belgium multi-country office covers activities in Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal.
Population and financial overview
Data on population and financials are available at the multi-country office level, which oversees operations across several countries.
