In 2023, Romania overtook Ukraine as the leading source of foreign immigration to Belgium, according to the latest report from the Belgian Federal Migration Center. The country registered 20,888 Romanian arrivals, representing 12% of all foreign migrants, driven mainly by labor migration, the Belgian news agency Belga reported, quoted by BTA.
The total number of immigrants to Belgium in 2023 reached 194,887 people — 17% less than in 2022, when Ukrainian arrivals increased sharply due to the war. Romanians were followed by citizens of France (8%), Ukraine (8%), the Netherlands (5%), Spain (4%) and Morocco (4%).
The conflict in Ukraine continued to have an impact on migration patterns, although its impact decreased compared to 2022. Permanent arrivals from Ukraine (mainly women beneficiaries of temporary protection) still constituted the largest group of third-country nationals who received their first residence permits.
Romanian migrants are predominantly male (14,655). 70% of them received residence permits for paid work, which is significantly above the EU average. In contrast, Ukrainians predominated in the temporary protection permits issued.
The majority of new arrivals settled in the Brussels-Capital Region (30%) and Antwerp (16%). Emigration also increased to record highs in 2023. Belgium was left by 91,781 foreigners, partly due to the return of Ukrainians home.