Belgium has a new list of safe countries of origin. On 15 December 2025, the new “Royal Decree on safe countries of origin” of 3 December 2025 was published in the Belgian Official Gazette. This may have some specific consequences for the procedure at the CGRS and for the appeal procedure before the Council for Alien Law Litigation.
A country of origin is considered safe if, in general and on a permanent basis, there is no persecution and no risk of suffering serious harm. In order to determine whether a country is safe, the legal situation, the application of the law and the general political circumstances in the country are taken into account. Belgium updated this list on 15 December.
The following countries are currently considered safe countries of origin: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia and Morocco. India and Moldova were removed from the list and Morocco was added.
Citizens of a country on the list of safe countries of origin are presumed not to need international protection. Therefore, the processing of their applications for international protection can be accelerated. If, after individual assessment, it appears that the applicant has not provided any evidence or has not provided sufficient evidence to prove a need for international protection, his application will be refused and may be considered “manifestly unfounded”.
Fast Track Procedure (FTP)
These changes also have implications for the FTP, a procedure to take final decisions more quickly for first applications that have little chance of being granted protection status.
In addition to Benin, Angola and Georgia (including minors), safe countries of origin will also be included in the FTP. Morocco will therefore be added to this list. India and Moldova will continue to be processed under the FTP.
Each individual case is thoroughly screened upon arrival at the CGRS, i.e. after being transferred by the Immigration Office. If certain elements are present, such as a particular vulnerability, the CGRS may still decide not to include the case in the FTP.