Royal Palace, Brussels
Everyday life, rights and rules.
Clear answers to the questions you have while living in Belgium.
From traffic to neighbours, from family to work: learn your rights, your responsibilities and the rules to keep in mind, in plain language. Find the information that fits your region and your needs.
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Traffic
Can I cross a solid (continuous) white line to turn left into a shop or petrol station across the road?
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Traffic · Not allowed
Can I cross a solid (continuous) white line to turn left into a shop or petrol station across the road?
NOT ALLOWED
No. A solid white line is not only about overtaking. You must never cross it to turn left, to enter a property across the road or to make a U-turn.
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The rules that matter to you on one page
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Traffic 57 sCan I cross a solid (continuous) white line to turn left into a shop or petrol station across the road?Travel and customs 43 sCan I bring sucuk, salami or dried meat in my suitcase when I come back from a country outside the EU?Family and children 73 sIs it a crime to shout at, humiliate or hit my partner or child at home?Criminal law 53 sCan I carry a knife, pepper spray or knuckle-duster to protect myself?Digital life 50 sCan I let someone use my bank card or account for a few hundred euros?Neighbours and municipality 47 sCan I mow the lawn in my garden on a Sunday?Nature and animals 46 sCan I pick chestnuts in the forest?Home and building 51 sCan I turn my garage into a room or a flat, or split my house into two flats?Work and money 62 sA relative helps me in my restaurant or shop; do I have to declare them?Social rights 52 sHow long can I stay abroad while I receive the income guarantee for older people (IGO/GRAPA)?Identity and address 56 sI have moved. When do I have to give the municipality my new address?Traffic 64 sI had one or two beers. Can I drive?Travel and customs 44 sCan I bring cheese, butter, yoghurt or cream from a country outside the EU?Family and children 49 sCan I force my daughter or son to marry someone they do not want?Criminal law 54 sIs cannabis legal in Belgium? Can I carry a small amount?Digital life 71 sIs it a crime to insult someone on WhatsApp or to write 'I will find you'?Neighbours and municipality 50 sIs it a problem to talk loudly or play music at night when I have guests at home?Nature and animals 51 sCan I pick mushrooms in the forest?Home and building 50 sDo I need a permit to build a garden shed, a veranda or a carport?Work and money 52 sCan I work undeclared (off the books) while I receive unemployment benefit?Social rights 52 sCan I go on holiday abroad while I receive unemployment benefit?Identity and address 51 sCan I register at another address, or register someone at my address, to get more benefits?Traffic 53 sWhat happens if I drive after smoking cannabis?Travel and customs 55 sCan I bring fresh fruit, vegetables, seedlings or seeds from a country outside the EU?Family and children 49 sCan we have a religious (imam) marriage before the civil marriage?Criminal law 62 sWhat happens if I hit someone in a fight? Is it still a crime if they started it?Digital life 54 sIs it a crime to share intimate photos of my ex or to threaten to share them?Neighbours and municipality 46 sCan I have a barbecue in the park?Nature and animals 57 sCan I take dry branches or wood lying on the ground in the forest?Home and building 60 sI had a bathroom, a veranda or an extra room built in my home; do I have to report this to the tax authorities?Work and money 52 sCan I accept more than 3.000 € in cash from a customer?Social rights 45 sWill my child benefit be stopped if my child stays abroad for a long time in the summer?Identity and address 51 sDo I always have to carry my identity card or residence card?Traffic 51 sCan I look at my phone while I wait at a red light?Travel and customs 45 sCan I carry 10.000 € or more in cash when I travel to or from a country outside the EU?Family and children 57 sAfter a divorce, can I take my child to another country without the other parent's permission?Criminal law 53 sIs it a crime to buy a phone that someone I know is selling very cheaply?Digital life 59 sCan I secretly go through my partner's phone or Instagram account if I know the password?Neighbours and municipality 42 sIf the bottle bank is full, can I leave my bag next to it?Nature and animals 49 sCan I pick linden (lime) blossoms from a tree in the street or in the park?Home and building 52 sCan I cut down a big tree in my own garden?Work and money 46 sCan I still send a PDF or paper invoice to another business?Social rights 48 sCan I live in social housing if I own a house abroad?Identity and address 51 sI am going to stay abroad for several months or over a year. Do I need to tell the municipality?Traffic 55 sWill I get a fine if I drive through on amber or just as the light turns red?Travel and customs 54 sHow many cigarettes, how much alcohol and how many gifts can I bring tax-free from a country outside the EU?Family and children 53 sCan I take my child on holiday abroad before school ends because the tickets are cheaper?Criminal law 64 sDo I have to show my ID if the police stop me? Can I resist if I think it is unfair?Digital life 57 sIs it a crime to keep calling or messaging my ex after we split up, or to wait outside their home?Neighbours and municipality 53 sCan I set off fireworks at a wedding or during Eid (Bayram)?Nature and animals 47 sDo I need a permit to fish in a river or lake?Home and building 55 sDo I need planning permission and an architect to put in a new window or roof window, or to remove a load-bearing wall?Work and money 55 sDo I have to declare my house, plot of land or field abroad to Belgium?Social rights 53 sDo I have to declare property I own abroad when I receive social assistance from the OCMW / CPAS?Identity and address 60 sIs voting compulsory in Belgian elections? What happens if I do not vote?Traffic 56 sI am on a main road. Do I have to give way to a car coming out of a small street on my right?Travel and customs 59 sCan I bring my own medicine, or medicine for my mother, from a country outside the EU?Family and children 56 sIf my child under 16 breaks someone's window or hits their car, do I have to pay for the damage?Criminal law 59 sIs it a crime to ask for money with a fake bank text message? What should I do if I get one?Digital life 63 sCan I secretly record someone? Is it forbidden to record a phone call I take part in?Neighbours and municipality 49 sCan I burn dry leaves, branches or rubbish in my garden?Nature and animals 53 sCan I slaughter my sacrificial animal (Kurban) at home, in the garden or on a farm?Home and building 55 sHow high can I build a fence or wall in my garden without a permit?Work and money 58 sDo I have to declare my bank account abroad to Belgium?Social rights 53 sCan I go abroad while I am on sick leave (receiving sickness benefit)?Identity and address 48 sMy child was born in Belgium. When do I have to register the birth with the municipality and with my country's consulate?Traffic 58 sWhen a lane closes, where should I merge, and how do I make way for an ambulance?Travel and customs 60 sCan I bring honey, fish, eggs or baby food from a country outside the EU?Family and children 59 sCan I give my 15-year-old child a beer or a cigarette at home, with the family?Criminal law 50 sCan I use a fake payslip, tenancy agreement or diploma to rent a home or get a job?Digital life 82 sIs it a crime to open or keep a child abuse video posted in a WhatsApp group, or to share it 'as a warning'?Neighbours and municipality 57 sMy neighbour's tree hangs over my garden. Can I cut the branches back, and can I take the fruit?Nature and animals 45 sDo I have to have my cat microchipped and neutered?Home and building 75 sDo I need an asbestos certificate when I sell my old house? Can I remove an asbestos roof myself?Work and money 63 sCan my relatives and friends help me for free when I build or renovate my own home?Social rights 48 sDo I have to join a health insurance fund (ziekenfonds / mutualité) in Belgium?Identity and address 55 sI got married or divorced abroad. Is this valid in Belgium, and do I have to report it to the municipality?Traffic 56 sIs it compulsory to wear a seat belt in the back seat and to put my child in a child seat?Travel and customs 49 sCan I bring back fake designer bags, watches or clothes from abroad for my own use?Family and children 51 sCan I leave my young child alone at home while I go shopping?Criminal law 47 sCan I stay off work with a doctor's note I bought or tampered with when I am not ill?Digital life 81 sAn adult is chatting online with my child and wants to meet them. Is that a crime, and what should I do?Neighbours and municipality 50 sHow far from my neighbour's boundary do I have to plant a tree or hedge?Nature and animals 50 sDo I have to have my dog microchipped and registered?Home and building 48 sCan I put a skip for renovation rubble on the pavement in front of my house?Work and money 70 sMy employer has dismissed me. How much notice am I entitled to, and can I ask why?Social rights 80 sWhich number should I call in an emergency or when I need a doctor at night?Identity and address 76 sHow can I become a Belgian citizen? Is living here for 5 years enough?Traffic 68 sWhat are the speed limits in Belgium in town, outside town and on the motorway?Travel and customs 64 sI am going on holiday abroad; if I get ill there, is my Belgian health insurance valid?Family and children 53 sWhat happens if I don't pay the maintenance set by the court?Criminal law 62 sCan I lend money at interest to people I know? When does it become illegal usury (loan sharking)?Neighbours and municipality 53 sCan my dog be off the lead in the street? Can I be fined for barking or dog mess?Nature and animals 49 sCan I leave my dog in the car for a short while? What is the penalty for abandoning or hitting an animal?Home and building 47 sDo I need a permit for an in-ground or above-ground pool in my garden?Work and money 52 sI am ill and cannot go to work. When must I tell my employer, and do I need a doctor's certificate?Social rights 64 sDoes my doctor have to explain my condition and get my consent for treatment? Can I ask for an interpreter?Identity and address 75 sI married abroad: what conditions must I meet to bring my spouse to Belgium?Traffic 64 sHow long can I drive in Belgium with my foreign (non-EU) driving licence?Family and children 55 sCan I take a second wife through a religious (imam) marriage while I am still married?Criminal law 56 sIs a social media post calling for hatred or violence against a group a criminal offence?Neighbours and municipality 58 sI am having problems with my neighbour over noise, a tree or a parking space. What can I do?Nature and animals 59 sDo I need a permit to get a dog or cat in Wallonia?Home and building 51 sCan I put in a window, or build a balcony or terrace, that overlooks my neighbour's garden?Work and money 67 sIs unemployment benefit no longer unlimited? How long can I receive it after the 2026 reform?Identity and address 77 sCan I lend my passport or identity card to a relative or a friend?Traffic 52 sCan I honk and block the road in a wedding convoy?Family and children 60 sWe have separated. Is it an offence if I do not bring the child back after the weekend, or do not hand them over to the other parent?Criminal law 64 sWhat should I do if I am attacked because of my origin or religion? Is this a more serious offence?Neighbours and municipality 67 sCan I put paper, PMD and food scraps in the residual waste bag (restafval / déchets résiduels), or is sorting compulsory?Nature and animals 58 sCan I bring my cat or dog from a country outside the EU to Belgium? What do I need?Home and building 52 sCan I raise the wall I share with my neighbour, build against it or make them share the costs?Work and money 60 sI am a student. How many hours a year can I work as a student, and what should I watch out for?Traffic 50 sDo I have to stop at a pedestrian crossing if the pedestrian has not stepped onto the road yet?Family and children 59 sCan I slap my child to discipline them?Criminal law 57 sIf I see someone injured or in danger in the street, do I have to help?Neighbours and municipality 60 sMay I drill, saw, renovate or make building noise on a Sunday or in the evening?Nature and animals 69 sWhich animals can I keep at home? Can I have a monkey, a squirrel or a snake?Home and building 66 sHow many months' rent can a landlord ask for as a deposit? Can I pay it to the landlord directly?Work and money 61 sDo I have to file a tax return every year? Do I need to do anything about the 'proposal' from the tax authorities?Traffic 67 sCan my child ride an electric scooter (e-step), and can they ride on the pavement?Family and children 59 sCan someone under 18 get married in Belgium?Criminal law 63 sCan I cover my face in the street so that I cannot be recognised? Does the ban include headscarves?Home and building 58 sCan my landlord raise the rent every year? By how much?Work and money 57 sIf my child breaks the neighbour's window, who pays? Is family liability insurance compulsory?Traffic 60 sI had an accident: do I need to call the police, and what should I do?Family and children 59 sCan I share a photo of my child or of someone else on social media? At what age can my child open an account?Criminal law 50 sCan I marry someone, or register a legal cohabitation with them, just on paper so that they can get a residence permit?Home and building 65 sCan I end my lease early? Can my landlord make me move out?Work and money 72 sI run a stall at a market or fair. Do I have to use Dutch?Traffic 53 sCan I overtake on the right when a car in the left lane is driving slowly?Family and children 54 sDo I have to get my child vaccinated? Will a nursery take an unvaccinated child?Criminal law 66 sIf I am convicted of a criminal offence, will I lose my residence permit or my Belgian citizenship?Home and building 49 sWhen I move into a rented home, is an inventory of its condition compulsory, and must the lease be registered?Work and money 61 sDo I have to sort the waste from my restaurant, shop or office? What changes if I use a private waste collector?Traffic 57 sDo I have priority when I change lanes, and do I have to indicate?Family and children 56 sDo I have to pay for my mother's or father's care home fees?Criminal law 55 sIs it still theft if I take something small from a supermarket without paying?Home and building 46 sI am a tenant: do I have to take out fire insurance?Work and money 62 sWhat is a flexi-job? Who can do one, how much can I earn tax-free and what should I watch out for?Traffic 55 sHow much space must I leave when I pass a cyclist?Family and children 58 sMy mother can no longer manage her own affairs. Can I deal with her bank and make decisions for her?Criminal law 63 sIs it an offence to spray graffiti on a wall or to damage a car or a bus shelter?Home and building 57 sIs a smoke detector mandatory at home, and who fits it?Traffic 55 sAs a pedestrian, can I cross the road wherever I want?Family and children 64 sWhat happens if my child under 18 commits a criminal offence?Criminal law 66 sWhat happens if I cause someone's death or injury on the road? Do alcohol, a phone or a red light make the penalty heavier?Home and building 51 sCan I have a steel door fitted in my home?Traffic 52 sCan I use my phone or ride without lights on my bike?Family and children 64 sHow can I get divorced in Belgium? Can I divorce even if my spouse does not want to?Criminal law 65 sIs it an offence to catcall a woman in the street or to insult someone because of their gender?Traffic 52 sCan I use a car with expired insurance or an overdue inspection for a short trip?Family and children 61 sCan I leave my estate to whoever I want? What share do my children and my spouse get?Criminal law 65 sCan I enter someone else's home without permission? If I have a key, is it an offence to enter my ex-partner's home?Traffic 53 sI live in Belgium. Can I drive a car with foreign number plates here?Family and children 59 sIf we do not make a marriage contract when we marry, what happens to our property?Criminal law 65 sMy landlord is charging a very high rent for a home in poor condition. Is this an offence, and what can I do?Traffic 58 sDo I need to register before driving into Brussels or Ghent in a car with foreign number plates?Family and children 75 sHow do you get married in Belgium? What documents do you need, and do you have to report the marriage in your country of origin?Criminal law 74 sIf I am turned away when renting a home, applying for a job or in a shop because of my origin or my religion, is that a crime?Traffic 52 sI scratched a parked car and nobody saw. Can I just drive off?Family and children 61 sCan we live together legally without marrying? How is legal cohabitation different from marriage?Criminal law 75 sI have been called as a witness in court. What happens if I do not go, or if I lie to protect someone I know?Traffic 65 sBaby and child car seats: which children must use one, and may a child sit in the front?Family and children 63 sDoes my surname change when I marry? Which surname will our child get?Criminal law 72 sIs it a crime to force someone to worship, to stop them from worshipping, or to disturb order in a place of worship?Traffic 54 sCan I park briefly on the pavement, on a cycle path or in front of a garage?Family and children 67 sHow do I enrol my child in school? Can the school turn my child away?Criminal law 75 sIs it a crime to post something on social media that glorifies a terrorist attack or calls for support for a terrorist organisation?Traffic 53 sWhat happens if I do not use a parking disc in a blue zone or do not pay for paid parking?Family and children 61 sHow much money can the school ask me for? Is there help with school costs?Criminal law 57 sWhat is the penalty for killing a spouse, child or other relative? Does 'honour' or tradition reduce the penalty?Traffic 59 sCan I park in a disabled parking space for a few minutes?Family and children 50 sDoes child benefit (Groeipakket / allocations familiales) come automatically, or do I have to apply?Criminal law 63 sIs attacking a police officer, doctor, teacher or bus driver because of their job punished more severely?Traffic 53 sMy car has been towed. Who pays, and how do I get my car back?Family and children 62 sHow much does childcare (kinderopvang / crèche) cost, and how do I find a place?Criminal law 59 sIs it a crime to hold someone by force until a debt is paid?Traffic 60 sCan I leave my caravan, trailer or broken-down car in the street for weeks?Family and children 72 sCan I bring a relative's child from my home country to Belgium and adopt them?Traffic 80 sDo I need a licence, a helmet and a number plate for a speed pedelec (an e-bike that goes up to 45 km/h)?Family and children 61 sHow does the school system work in French-language schools in Wallonia and Brussels? Which school does my child go to at what age?Traffic 72 sIs there a licence, helmet or age requirement for an electric bicycle?Family and children 61 sHow does the school system work in Flanders and in Dutch-language schools in Brussels? Which school does my child go to at what age?Traffic 74 sHow can I carry my child on a bicycle: a seat, a trailer, a cargo bike?Family and children 63 sWe have just arrived in Belgium and my child does not speak the school language. How does my child start school, and is there support?Traffic 79 sCan I cycle side by side with someone, and can I ride the wrong way down a one-way street?Family and children 58 sCan I educate my child at home instead of sending them to school?Traffic 62 sCan I ride on the road when there is a cycle path, and can I leave my bicycle on the pavement?Traffic 73 sDo I have to wear a helmet and special clothing on a motorbike or a moped?Traffic 67 sIn a traffic jam, can I filter between the cars on my motorbike, and can I use the hard shoulder?Traffic 82 sDo I need a licence, a number plate and insurance to ride a moped (scooter)?Traffic 75 sCan I ride a 125 cc motorbike with my B licence? At what age can I get a motorbike licence?Traffic 69 sCan I take a passenger or a child on the back of my motorbike or moped?Traffic 79 sHow close to a junction, a pedestrian crossing or a bus stop can I park?Traffic 61 sCan I park on the left-hand side of the street or double-park for a short time?Traffic 65 sCan I park in a paid or blue zone in my own street with a residents' card (bewonerskaart)?Traffic 65 sCan I park briefly in an electric vehicle charging space, a loading bay or at a taxi rank?Traffic 78 sCan I leave the engine running while I pop into a shop? Can I leave the engine running in a stationary car?Traffic 77 sWho issues parking fines? What is the difference between a municipal fine (GAS) and a police fine, and how do I contest one?Traffic 71 sThe police stopped me for a traffic check: which documents must I show, and can I refuse a breath test?Traffic 72 sThe police offered me an on-the-spot fine for a traffic offence: what happens if I do not pay?Traffic 57 sI came from abroad for a visit and I have no address in Belgium: do I have to pay a traffic fine on the spot?Traffic 77 sCan the police withdraw my driving licence on the spot? What happens if I drive while it is withdrawn?Traffic 63 sI received a speed camera fine at home, but I was not driving: what should I do?Traffic 53 sOn the motorway, may I keep driving in the middle or left lane when the right lane is free?
Topics
General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. Rules can change; every card shows the date of the last check and its verification status.