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Brit 14 yrs resident but not allowed to apply for nationality
I went to the commune today to ask about Belgian nationality and was told that, despite my having been here 14 years, I didn't qualify yet as I was only on my first "E+" residence card (all my previous ones were not, apparently, E+) and needed to be on my second (which I will get in c 15 months' time) before they could enter me in the system. However, all the literature I've read just says you have to have been here for seven years, which I qualify for twice over! They also said they doubted my years here could count as I've always paid UK income tax as a posted crown servant (my employer's choice, not mine) but I know others have been advised differently on this point by their (different) communes. Any thoughts as to whether I've been advised wrongly and how to break the impasse? Thanks!
Which commune?
As a crown servant, you are still officially "resident" in the UK. That is where you pay income tax. So you'll have a tough one proving "economic" integration without a Belgian tax record.
I thought being married to a Belgian counted as integrating really well but having recently been down the commune in search of the same thing it appears that it is your taxes they're after and they start counting from the issue date of your E+. So, like you, I'll have to wait.
Funny. Those who evade/avoid Belgian taxes for years on end, usually while singing the praises of Belgium, now whine about not being able to have Belgian citizenship on demand.
This guide has relevant information about the visa processes in the UK. Just in case, you still need them!
> I've proposed to go on Belgian tax
You should not have the choice. If you're legally paying tax in the UK, it's because you are legally tax resident in the UK, and it is a condition of your job. You cannot chose where you pay tax.
If you are sure that you can, then report the bastards to the Belgian tax authorities.
Sometimes you get a different reply from different person in commune worth asking at differ t time of day
The commune advised you correctly. All Belgian residents working for the EU, NATO, UN, diplomatic services from all over the world, etc. do not qualify as they do not pay income taxes to Belgium and in the majority of the cases have special ID cards which do not qualify for permanent residence. This has been confirmed by a number of communes.
Obtaining nationality on the basis of a marriage to a Belgian is another thing. They have strict requirements there too.
