Catalonia's sacked president has gone to Belgium but insists he isn't there to seek political asylum.

The Spanish government has removed Carles Puigdemont as leader after the region declared independence.

There's speculation he could be seeking asylum in Belgium, to avoid sedition and rebellion charges in Spain.

But Puigdemont said he's not there to file an asylum application - he's there to lobby Europe for Catalonia's cause.

"The Spanish government is taking a very aggressive approach against the Catalan people, and against civil servants who remain faithful to the legitimate Catalan government over which I preside," he said at a press conference.

The Spanish government disbanded the Catalan parliament earlier this week and is arranging fresh elections.

The calls for independence have divided the Catalan people, with around one million people marching for unity on Monday.