Asylum and migration are among Belgium's most divisive issues; the country recorded over 39,000 asylum applications in 2023 and faces a recurring reception crisis. The debate centres on tightening family reunification, integration requirements, regularising undocumented migrants and implementing the EU Migration Pact. One pole calls for restrictive policy (border control, returns, quotas), the other for a welcoming approach expanding legal pathways, rights and regularisations.
In short
"Restrictive" poleRestrictive
"Open / welcoming" poleOpen / welcoming
UpdatedJun 22, 2026
Where the parties stand on Immigration
RestrictiveOpen / welcoming
#Party & stancePositionPole
1ECOEcoloFREcolo proposes facilitating legal entry pathways, abolishing the criminal offence of illegal residence and allowing asylum seekers to work after two months of procedure.82+
2PTBPTB·PVDAFR·NL⚑ Radical stanceThe PTB·PVDA proposes regularising undocumented workers on clear criteria and opening safe legal pathways to Europe, while criticising the detention centres planned under the EU Migration Pact.78+
3PSPSFRThe PS defends clear, objective and permanent regularisation criteria written into law, drawing on the Spanish model for undocumented migrants already settled and working in Belgium.72+
4LELes EngagésFRLes Engagés defend a balance between firmness and humanity, with language and civic tests throughout the migration journey and a waiting period before access to social assistance.52~
5VRTVooruitNLVooruit wants to "regain control" of migration through a stricter return policy, in which detention is not taboo if a person refuses to cooperate.42−
6MRMRFRThe MR wants asylum applications processed in under six months, more places in closed centres and tighter income conditions for family reunification.40−
7CD&VCD&VNLCD&V backs the EU Migration Pact negotiated by its state secretary Nicole De Moor and wants stricter integration, with reinforced language requirements.38−
8VLDOpen VLDNLOpen VLD argues that "Belgium and Europe cannot be the refuge of the whole world" and wants stronger control of the Union's external borders.38−
9N-VAN-VANLThe N-VA wants asylum procedures capped at six months with mandatory return of rejected applicants, an annual resettlement quota set by parliament and controlled labour migration.12−
10VBVlaams BelangNL⚑ Radical stanceVlaams Belang advocates a halt to non-European immigration, an opt-out from the EU Migration Pact on the Danish model, sealed borders and the remigration of illegal and rejected migrants.3−
+Closer to: Open / welcoming (≥ 60)~Mixed / centrist stance (45–59)−Closer to: Restrictive (< 45)⚑Radical stance
⚑For neutrality, parties with radical positions (PTB·PVDA on the left, Vlaams Belang on the right) are never ranked first, even when their stance is the most pronounced on the axis: they are placed just below the first party of government. The rule applies identically on the left and on the right.
Frequently asked questions
How do you read this Immigration ranking?−
This is a POSITIONS view, not a "best party" verdict. Each party is placed on a 0–100 axis between two poles — "Restrictive" (low) and "Open / welcoming" (high) — based on its official 2024 manifesto, parliamentary votes, the Chapel Hill Expert Survey and Belgian media. A higher score simply means a position closer to the "Open / welcoming" pole, not a better or worse stance.