Official letter glossary

A permit from the municipality for work such as splitting a house into separate units, building an extension or felling a large tree.

• Can I turn my garage into a room or a flat, or split my house into two flats?
• Can I cut down a big tree in my own garden?

The notional rental income of a property, as officially estimated. Property tax is calculated on this basis, and renovation work can increase it.

• I had a bathroom, a veranda or an extra room built in my home; do I have to report this to the tax authorities?
• Do I have to declare my house, plot of land or field abroad to Belgium?

A residential home for older people who need care.

• Do I have to pay for my mother's or father's care home fees?

A family allowance paid for children. Which body pays it depends on the region.

• Will my child benefit be stopped if my child stays abroad for a long time in the summer?

The arrangement, agreed by separated parents or set by the court, for which days the child spends with each parent.

• We 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?

A penalty that can be imposed instead of prison: you do a set number of hours of unpaid work for the community (for example helping a non-profit organisation). The judge decides.

Compulsory insurance that covers damage your vehicle causes to others. Driving without insurance is an offence.

• Can I use a car with expired insurance or an overdue inspection for a short trip?

A certificate that employers often ask for when you apply for a job. You can get it from your municipality or online.

A court order banning you from driving for a set period.

• Can I cross a solid (continuous) white line to turn left into a shop or petrol station across the road?

To exchange a foreign driving licence for a Belgian one, apply to the driving licence department at your municipality.

• How long can I drive in Belgium with my foreign (non-EU) driving licence?

The duty of family members to support relatives in need, for example the duty of children towards parents who are in need.

• Do I have to pay for my mother's or father's care home fees?

Every employee must be declared electronically to social security before they start work.

• A relative helps me in my restaurant or shop; do I have to declare them?

A form that both drivers fill in together after a minor accident. Insurers use it to work out who is at fault.

• I had an accident: do I need to call the police, and what should I do?

Not helping someone in danger when you could do so without putting yourself at risk. It is an offence.

• If I see someone injured or in danger in the street, do I have to help?

The court that deals with divorce, maintenance, custody and contact arrangements for children.

• What happens if I don't pay the maintenance set by the court?
• After a divorce, can I take my child to another country without the other parent's permission?

Insurance that covers damage that members of your family (especially your children) cause to other people.

• If my child under 16 breaks someone's window or hits their car, do I have to pay for the damage?

A multiplier applied to the fine laid down in law. That is why the amount you actually pay is higher than the figure in the law.

Making a false document or altering a genuine one, such as a fake payslip, tenancy agreement or report.

• Can I use a fake payslip, tenancy agreement or diploma to rent a home or get a job?

An official final warning to pay a debt or fulfil an obligation.

Free initial information and referral from a lawyer. For a free lawyer, subject to your income: pro deo / aide juridique de deuxième ligne.

The organisation that reimburses your medical costs and pays sickness benefit. Everyone who lives in Belgium must be a member of one.

• Can I go abroad while I am on sick leave (receiving sickness benefit)?

Leaving the scene of an accident you were involved in without giving your details. It is an offence even if the accident was not your fault.

• I scratched a parked car and nobody saw. Can I just drive off?

Leaving rubbish where it is not allowed. Leaving a bag next to a bottle bank also counts.

• If the bottle bank is full, can I leave my bag next to it?

An offer to pay a traffic fine straight away. If you pay on time, the case is closed; if you do not, it goes to the public prosecutor or the court.

• Can I cross a solid (continuous) white line to turn left into a shop or petrol station across the road?

The police take your driving licence away on the spot after a serious offence (for example for 15 days).

• Can I look at my phone while I wait at a red light?
• What happens if I drive after smoking cannabis?

The federal office that makes decisions about residence permits for foreign nationals.

• If I am convicted of a criminal offence, will I lose my residence permit or my Belgian citizenship?

Income support for older people on a low pension. There is a limit on how long you can stay abroad.

• How long can I stay abroad while I receive the income guarantee for older people (IGO/GRAPA)?

In some hospitals, a person who helps patients and healthcare staff overcome differences in language and culture.

• Does my doctor have to explain my condition and get my consent for treatment? Can I ask for an interpreter?

A public service that provides information and support to victims and to people involved in legal proceedings.

The court that deals with neighbour disputes, rent disputes and small claims. It can also try to reconcile the parties first.

An official declaration made at the municipality by two people who live together without being married. It brings rights and obligations that differ from those of marriage.

• Can I marry someone, or register a legal cohabitation with them, just on paper so that they can get a residence permit?

A person appointed by the justice of the peace to manage the money or personal affairs of an adult who cannot make their own decisions.

• My mother can no longer manage her own affairs. Can I deal with her bank and make decisions for her?

An urban zone that old, highly polluting vehicles may not enter (for example in Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent). Vehicles with foreign number plates may need to be registered in advance.

• Do I need to register before driving into Brussels or Ghent in a car with foreign number plates?

Hiding the criminal origin of money. Letting someone else use your bank account for this also counts.

• Can I let someone use my bank card or account for a few hundred euros?

A fine imposed by the municipality for things like noise, rubbish or barbecues. It is not a criminal penalty and does not go on your criminal record. The deadline for appealing is stated in the letter.

• Is it a problem to talk loudly or play music at night when I have guests at home?
• If the bottle bank is full, can I leave my bag next to it?

The municipal regulations that set the rules on noise, lawn mowing, barbecues, rubbish and more. They are published on the municipality's website.

• Can I mow the lawn in my garden on a Sunday?

The municipal body that provides social assistance (leefloon / revenu d'intégration), emergency aid and help with care home costs.

• Do I have to declare property I own abroad when I receive social assistance from the OCMW / CPAS?

A free mediation service offered by the municipality for disputes between neighbours.

• Is it a problem to talk loudly or play music at night when I have guests at home?

The police officer responsible for your neighbourhood. They carry out address checks and are the first point of contact for non-urgent problems.

• I have moved. When do I have to give the municipality my new address?

An official document in which the police or an inspector record an offence. You can ask for a copy.

A GP you can reach outside normal surgery hours, at weekends and on public holidays. Call 1733.

• Which number should I call in an emergency or when I need a doctor at night?

The court that deals with traffic offences, including serious ones. It is also the court that imposes driving bans.

• I had one or two beers. Can I drive?

A power of attorney in which a person decides in advance who will manage their affairs if they later become unable to make decisions.

• My mother can no longer manage her own affairs. Can I deal with her bank and make decisions for her?

Your address as recorded in the municipality's population register. When you move, you must report your new address within 8 working days.

• I have moved. When do I have to give the municipality my new address?

An official letter that the post office only hands over against a signature. Important deadlines often start running from this letter, and not collecting it does not stop the clock.

A card showing that a foreign national has the right to stay in Belgium. Carry it with you and keep track of its expiry date.

• Do I always have to carry my identity card or residence card?

An offer from the public prosecutor to drop the case if you pay a set amount.

A marriage entered into only to obtain a right of residence, not to build a life together. It is an offence, and the marriage can be annulled.

• Can I marry someone, or register a legal cohabitation with them, just on paper so that they can get a residence permit?

Minimum income support paid by the OCMW / CPAS to people who do not have enough income. You must declare all your income and assets.

• Do I have to declare property I own abroad when I receive social assistance from the OCMW / CPAS?

An official summons to appear in court. Do not miss the date, and get advice from a lawyer.

A letter from the tax authority telling you how much tax you owe or how much you will get back. The deadline for lodging an objection is stated in the letter.

Your annual income tax return. You also declare foreign bank accounts on it. Online: MyMinfin / Tax-on-web.

• Do I have to declare my bank account abroad to Belgium?

In cases of domestic violence, the public prosecutor can order the violent person to leave the home for a while.

• Is it a crime to shout at, humiliate or hit my partner or child at home?

Work that is not declared to social security. It can lead to penalties for both the worker and the employer.

• Can I work undeclared (off the books) while I receive unemployment benefit?

The federal office that manages unemployment benefits.

• Can I go on holiday abroad while I receive unemployment benefit?

Demanding an extremely high rate of interest or return from someone in a difficult situation. It is an offence.

• Can I lend money at interest to people I know? When does it become illegal usury (loan sharking)?

A compulsory, regular check to make sure your vehicle is safe to drive.

• Can I use a car with expired insurance or an overdue inspection for a short trip?

This court deals with offences committed by under-18s. The aim is education and making amends rather than punishment.

• If my child under 16 breaks someone's window or hits their car, do I have to pay for the damage?