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Country website

Belgium

Key statistics

237,346

people were under UNHCR’s mandate in Belgium in 2024, including refugees, asylum-seekers, and stateless persons

183,554

are registered refugees by the end of 2024, reflecting its continued role as a key country of asylum in Europe

Belgium continued to host relevant numbers of refugees and asylum seekers 
from emergencies and protracted crises such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, 
the Syrian Arab Republic, Eritrea and Burundi

UNHCR has maintained a presence in Belgium since 1952, just one year after the 1951 Refugee Convention came into force. As a multi-country office based in Brussels, UNHCR covers operations in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Ireland, working to ensure that laws, policies, and practices align with international protection standards across all three countries.

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 2021, Belgium received 25,971 asylum applications—primarily from nationals of Afghanistan, Syria, and Palestine—with over 10,000 individuals granted refugee or subsidiary protection status.

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.

Population and financial overview

Data on population and financials are available at the multi-country office level, which oversees operations across several countries.

Belgium

Use the year selector to access information from previous years.

Populations

Population types
Population by country
Population by origin

Financial

Budget and expenditure trend
Budget by pillar
Budget by objective
Expenditure by Outcome Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas
Budget by Impact Area
Budget by Outcome and Enabling Areas

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Strategy - Country

Strategy

For more information about our work in Belgium:

Belgium website

Find more information on our work in the area and the latest local news and stories.

Belgium | België (Nederlands) website

 

Refworld

Find legislation, case law and UNHCR policy relating to claims for international protection.

Visit Refworld

 

Office contact details

The Representation for EU Affairs, Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg and the Netherlands

Street address and mailing address:
Avenue Louise 283, B-1050 Brussels, BC, Belgium

Telephone:
+32 2 627 5999

Email:
[email protected]

Time zone:
GMT + 1

Working hours

  • Monday: 9:00 – 18:00
  • Tuesday: 9:00 – 18:00
  • Wednesday: 9:00 – 18:00
  • Thursday: 9:00 – 18:00
  • Friday: 9:00 – 18:00
  • Saturday: closed
  • Sunday: closed

Note: if you are a forcibly displaced or stateless person who needs assistance, please consult the Help website. You can also contact us by phone on +32-472 18 92 65:

  • Tuesday 9:30 – 12:30
  • Thursday 13:30 – 16:30.