Nearly one in three asylum seekers in Belgium is now waiting more than two years for a decision on their application, according to figures reported by Het Nieuwsblad on

Wednesday.

The data shows that asylum procedures have continued to slow, with applicants currently waiting an average of over 17 months (533 days) for a ruling. Preliminary figures covering the first three months of this year indicate that 30 per cent of those who received a decision had been in the system for at least two years.

The figures highlight a sustained upward trend in processing times. In 2024, the average duration of an asylum procedure was already 430 days, underscoring a steady increase in delays.

Officials and policymakers point to administrative pressure as a key driver of the backlog. Matti Vandemaele of Groen attributes the prolonged waiting times to staffing shortages at both the Immigration Office (DVZ), responsible for the initial processing of applications, and the Commissioner-General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGVS), which issues final decisions.

Both agencies have stated that recruitment efforts have since addressed staffing gaps, but significant backlogs persist. Earlier this year, tens of thousands of cases were still awaiting review across the two services.

Minister for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt responded to the figures by stressing ongoing government investment in asylum services aimed at accelerating procedures, reducing reception times, and delivering long-term savings.

Looking ahead, authorities expect the European Migration Pact, which comes into force on 12 June, to play a central role in reforming timelines. Under the new framework, asylum procedures are intended to be completed within six months in principle, marking a substantial shift from current processing durations. Photo by Mstyslav Chernov, Wikimedia commons.