What are sufficient means of subsistence?

As an economically inactive EU citizen, you must prove that you have sufficient means of subsistence (income) to avoid having to rely on Belgian social security benefits. The means of subsistence must be at least equal to Belgian social security benefits.

For more information about the amount of social security benefits, visit the website of the POD Maatschappelijke Integratie

How is the means of subsistence determined?

The Immigration Office takes into account the amount of your income as well as your personal situation (such as the nature and regularity of your income and the number of dependent family members you are looking after). When examining your means of subsistence, both your personal income as well as the income obtained through another person, are taken into account.

The following sources of income are taken into account:

• invalidity allowance
• early retirement pension
• old-age allowance
• allowances from an occupational accidents or occupational disease insurance policy
• proof of savings
• income from employment in another Member State
• means of subsistence that you receive via a third party (e.g. your partner’s payslips) and that you actually have at your disposal
• other means of subsistence that guarantee that you will not have to rely on social security payments

Legislation

Articles 40 and 40bis, §4 of the Act of 15 December 1980 on access to the territory, residence, settlement and removal of foreign nationals.

Support Service

Immigration Office

02/793.80.00

infodesk [at] ibz.fgov.be

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