Lilshira
Belgium parliament approves home raids to enforce deportations
Belgium’s parliament has approved a law permitting police to conduct home searches between 5 am and 9 am to detain foreign nationals subject to deportation. The measure takes effect without a specified start date and applies to individuals who have been denied asylum, ignored removal orders, or are deemed a threat to public order or national security.
In this story
At a glance
- What changes
- Police may enter private homes to detain foreign nationals facing deportation
- Timing
- Law passed on 6 November 2026 with no stated implementation date
- Who is affected
- Foreign nationals denied asylum, those who ignored removal orders, and their hosts
The details
- Announced by
- Belgium’s parliament
- Previous rule
- Before the vote, police could not enter private residences to enforce removal decisions without a criminal investigation basis.
- New rule
- The new law authorises the Immigration Office to request an investigating judge to permit police entry into a residence between 5 am and 9 am, allowing them to search for identity documents and detain the target for removal.
Legislative approval
The lower house approved the amendment after a late‑night debate on 6 November 2026. The vote was supported by the governing coalition and the liberal opposition, while human‑rights groups voiced strong objections.
Scope of the new power
The law applies when a person has been denied asylum, has ignored an order to leave Belgium, and is considered a threat to public order or national security. Police may enter the dwelling of the target, as well as homes where the person stays with relatives, friends or other hosts.
- Searches are limited to the 5 am‑9 am window.
- Officers may seize identity documents and detain the individual for removal.
Safeguards and judicial oversight
An investigating judge must authorize each home entry. The judge now has seven days, instead of five, to decide, and must receive new information for repeat requests. Judges may impose conditions, especially when minors are present.
Critics argue that the definition of a “threat to public order or national security” remains vague, leaving room for varied interpretation.
- Judges can set conditions for visits involving children.
- Repeated requests require fresh evidence before approval.
What this means for travellers
Trip planning
- Existing travel plans are not directly affected, but individuals subject to removal may face sudden detention.
- Hosts should be aware that police can enter homes during early morning hours if a resident is targeted.
Cost and documents
- No new fees are introduced by the law.
- Individuals may need to keep identity documents readily available for possible police checks.
What you need to do
- Persons facing deportation should be prepared for possible early‑morning police visits.
- Hosts should understand that police entry is possible if the resident is subject to a removal order.
Who this affects
-
Foreign nationals denied asylum
They have been refused protection and may be ordered to leave Belgium.
What to do They can be detained during a police home entry authorized by a judge.
-
Individuals who ignored a removal order
Non‑compliance with an official order to depart triggers the new enforcement tool.
What to do Police may enter their residence to locate and detain them.
-
People hosting targeted migrants
The law extends to homes where the targeted person stays with relatives, friends or other hosts.
What to do Hosts may experience police entry and searches of their premises.
Frequently asked questions
When can police enter homes under the new Belgian law?
Police are allowed to enter private residences between 5 am and 9 am after an investigating judge authorises the visit.
Who can be targeted by the home‑raid provision?
The measure applies to foreign nationals who have been denied asylum, ignored a deportation order, or are deemed a threat to public order or national security.
Do hosts of migrants need to give consent for police entry?
No consent is required; police may enter the home of the targeted individual, even if the person is staying with relatives or friends.
What safeguards exist for minors during a police home entry?
Investigating judges may impose conditions on the visit when children are present, and they have seven days to decide on the authorisation.
Will the new law create additional costs for migrants or hosts?
The legislation does not introduce new fees; however, individuals must keep identity documents ready for possible police checks.
Has an implementation date for the law been announced?
No specific start date was provided; the law takes effect following its passage on 6 November 2026.
