Dual Citizenship: 2 IS better than 1.

This post is a bit of a pay-it-forward. A random meeting in the gym led to me gaining my dual nationality so, it’s the least I can do to pass on the word and hopefully help someone else. I recently regained my Belgian nationality which gives me dual Belgian/American nationality.  I didn’t waste any time getting the Belgian passport and as I write this I am sitting on a plane returning home from using it for the 1st time.

Basically, what I would tell anyone is this: it is worth looking into- you never know if you might qualify until you check. If any of your ancestors in the last few generations emigrated then look into it.

My story went something like this: I was at the gym about a year and a half ago. I started talking to a guy named Nick as we shared a machine.

Nick: “So, where are you from, blah, blah, small talk, etc…”

I replied: “My dad grew up in Belgium, my mother…etc”

Nick: “Do you have your dual citizenship?”

Me: “No, I don’t think I qualify.”

Nick: “You should look into it, my grandfather was from Italy and I recently got my dual Italian/American citizenship- neither myself or my parents had ever even lived there.”

Nick’s wheels started turning: “You know what, I think there’s a Belgian Consulate in the building across the street where I used to work. Come with me, let’s go see!”

We walked out of the gym and took the elevator up to the 27th floor- and there it was. Turns out there are only a couple in the US and one happened to be across the street from my gym, and the guy I shared a machine with happened to know about it. I promised Nick I would come back the next day when the consulate was open and ask about dual nationality. A little over a year later, some paper work and about $150 in fees, and I have it.

My case was definitely a little more straight forward than most. My dad was still a Belgian citizen which gave me automatic dual-citizenship when I was born.  I went by what others had told me and assumed I lost it at age 18 unless I served in the Belgian military- definitely the last thing I was thinking about at 18! Turns out that the info was wrong and I actually had it for a little longer but it would have required some paperwork to keep it. Either way, I would not have it or the super-cool EU passport if I hadn’t met Nick. Nick had a similar story of a random meeting of another Italian-American that told him to look into it. So, to anyone reading with even the slightest chance of being eligible- I say look into it immediately. The Belgian Consulate basically just told me, “Yep, no problem, we’ll help you regain it.” and sent me to their website to start downloading forms. They had a list that stated clearly who was eligible. I would assume other consulates are just as organized, so finding out if you qualify only take a few minutes of clicking.

Many have asked “Why?”.  If you are here on this site you probably don’t need to be told this- but “Why Not!?” We all love adventures and you never know where a trip, or life, may take you- and it’s good to have options. Venture Boldly.

BTW- Nick, Thanks – where ever you are!