Brussels, (Unib Rashid) – The government of Belgium has increased the minimum monthly financial requirement for foreign students from €835 to €1,062.

Under the new legislation, non-EU students wishing to study in Belgium will be required, starting from the next academic year, to prove that they possess significantly higher financial resources to complete their education.

According to Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt, the amount for the 2026–2027 academic year will be set at €1,062 net per month. This means that foreign students must now allocate approximately €12,700 per year in advance.

Van Bossuyt stated that the previous threshold of €835 was no longer realistic and did not adequately reflect living and accommodation costs in Belgium. She said the measure aims to protect students from financial hardship and prevent reliance on social assistance.

The move also seeks to restrict access to social welfare benefits for non-EU nationals who have not legally resided in Belgium for five years.

According to Belga News Agency, 16,434 non-EU students applied for Belgian study visas in 2025. More than 12,400 were approved, particularly from Cameroon, Morocco, and China, while 2,615 applications were rejected. Other cases remain under review under stricter financial scrutiny.

The new rule will apply to both new visa applicants and students already studying in Belgium, alongside reforms to the guarantor system to prevent misuse of the student visa pathway.