Can I lose my Belgian long-term resident status if I leave the country?

Long-term resident status is durable but not unconditional. The Immigration Office notes that it can be lost in situations such as acquiring equivalent status in another EU State, being absent from the territory of the EU for twelve or more consecutive months, a prolonged absence from Belgium (on the order of six years), or where the status was obtained fraudulently.

If you plan to spend an extended period outside Belgium or the EU, check how it affects your status before you go. In some cases there are ways to preserve your status, but they depend on the circumstances and current rules.