Green light for lifetime entry ban on terrorists

Convicted terrorists, hate preachers, and violent extremists staying illegally in Belgium can now be banned from re-entering the country for life. This was announced today by Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt. “The door is now permanently closed to anyone who radicalises or supports terrorism,” she said. Until now, entry bans could only be imposed for a limited number of years.

Objective security assessment

The measure targets individuals who pose a genuine security threat, based on an assessment by the Coordinating Body for Threat Analysis (OCAD). Those subject to an entry ban are flagged and registered in the Schengen Information System (SIS) and the national police database (ANG). For the duration of the ban, they are not allowed to enter Belgium or the Schengen Area. The Immigration Office also has the authority to reject their visa or residence applications.

Sharp rise in deportations

The announcement comes at a time when the number of deported detainees staying illegally in the country is also seeing a significant rise. Between January and October 2025, 1,300 people were deported, compared to 1,035 during the same period last year — an increase of 25%.

This positive trend is expected to continue in the coming years, thanks to the expansion of capacity in closed detention centres, the hiring of additional escort officers, and new readmission agreements with countries of origin. These agreements are based on a “give-and-take” principle: countries that cooperate with returns can expect increased cooperation from Belgium in return.

“Those who commit crimes or pose a danger to our society must leave the country,” Anneleen Van Bossuyt concludes. “By focusing more on returns from detention, we not only protect our society, but also ease the pressure on our overcrowded prison system. People who have no right to stay here — and who also commit crimes — will no longer take up unnecessary space in our prisons.”