How can I get divorced in Belgium? Can I divorce even if my spouse does not want to?
In short
Yes, there are two routes: by mutual consent, or by showing that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. Even if your spouse does not want a divorce, you can apply on your own if you have lived apart for more than 1 year.
Video transcript
You live apart from your spouse. They don't want a divorce, but you do. It depends: There are two ways: divorce by mutual consent, or irretrievable breakdown. After more than 1 year apart, you can ask on your own. The right way: File a petition at the family court. If you apply together, more than 6 months apart is enough. Get free initial legal advice. Afterwards: Penalty: None; Court also rules on: Custody, support, assets; Your country's registry: May need separate update.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- The first route is divorce by mutual consent (echtscheiding door onderlinge toestemming / divorce par consentement mutuel). The spouses first draw up a written agreement on the children, property and maintenance.
- In a divorce by mutual consent, the application is filed with the family court (familierechtbank / tribunal de la famille) of the court of first instance. The procedure is usually conducted in writing; the court calls you in if necessary.
- The second route is the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage (onherstelbare ontwrichting / désunion irrémédiable). You can prove this by any legal means, such as letters, messages or witnesses.
- If you apply together, living apart for more than 6 months is enough. If you apply on your own, living apart for more than 1 year is enough.
- If you have lived apart for a shorter time, you must return to court after a period of reflection to repeat your request. A Belgian court usually has jurisdiction if: the respondent spouse lives in Belgium, you apply together and one of you lives in Belgium, your last shared residence was in Belgium, or the applicant spouse has lived in Belgium for at least 12 months. Having another nationality is not in itself an obstacle.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- No penalty. Divorce is a right and a civil procedure dealt with by the family court.
Legal basis:oud BW art. 229 §1
- Court / prison
- No prison sentence.
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- The divorce also settles parental authority, where the child will live, maintenance and the division of property
Legal basis:vlaanderen.be – Echtscheiding door onderlinge toestemming
- A divorce decision made in Belgium is not automatically recorded in your country of origin; you may need to have it recognised there separately (through the consulate or a court)
Legal basis:5490 s. NHK, md. 27/A
- For advice on your own situation, you can get free first-line legal advice (eerstelijnsbijstand / aide juridique de première ligne)
Why does this rule exist?
The rule makes sure nobody is forced to stay in a marriage they do not want. The periods of separation and reflection prevent hasty decisions and allow time to protect the children's routine.
Where can you go?
- Violence helplineFlanders 1712 (weekdays 09–18) · Wallonia and Brussels 0800 30 030 (partner violence), 103 (child abuse) · Emergency 112
- Child and family servicesFlanders: Kind en Gezin / Opgroeien · Wallonia and Brussels: ONE
- School guidance centreThe school's CLB / centre PMS
- Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.
This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses
Source and reliability
Official source- Source check
- 12 / 12 statements in an official source
- Checked: 02.11.2026
- Last checked
- 02.11.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 12 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
İki boşanma yolu; anlaşmalı boşanma (BW md. 230) ve onarılamaz bozulma (BW md. 229)
Oud Burgerlijk Wetboek art. 229–230 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Anlaşmalı boşanmada önce mallar ve çocuklar için anlaşma yapılır
vlaanderen.be – Echtscheiding door onderlinge toestemming - Found in an official source
Dilekçe ilk derece mahkemesine (aile mahkemesi) verilir; yazılı usul, mahkeme gerekirse çağırır
Rechtbank eerste aanleg Antwerpen, afd. Turnhout – Familie (EOT) - Found in an official source
Onarılamaz bozulma her yasal delille ispat edilir
Oud BW art. 229 §1 - Found in an official source
Ortak başvuruda 6 aydan fazla ayrılık yeterli
Oud BW art. 229 §2 - Found in an official source
Tek taraflı başvuruda 1 yıldan fazla ayrılık yeterli
Oud BW art. 229 §3 - Found in an official source
Süre daha kısaysa düşünme süresinden sonra ikinci kez mahkemeye gelinir
Vlaanderen.be – Echtscheiding op grond van onherstelbare ontwrichting (ayrıca BW art. 229 §2-3 / Ger.W. art. 1255) - Found in an official source
Eşlerden biri Belçika'da yaşıyorsa Belçika mahkemesi genelde yetkili
Wetboek IPR art. 42 - Corrected according to the source
Ayrılık süresi daha kısaysa, bir düşünme süresinden sonra mahkemeye ikinci kez gelip isteğinizi tekrarlarsınız. Belçika mahkemesi genelde şu durumlarda yetkilidir: davalı eş Belçika'da yaşıyorsa veya iki eş birlikte başvuruyor ve biri Belçika'da yaşıyorsa. Son ortak ikametiniz Belçika'daysa ya da başvuran eş en az 12 aydır Belçika'da yaşıyorsa da yetkilidir. Yabancı uyruk tek başına engel değildir.
Yerel kontrol 2.11.2026 (www.ejustice.just.fgov.be) - Found in an official source
Belçika'da verilen boşanma kararı kişinin kendi ülkesinde idari yolla (konsolosluk/nüfus) veya tanıma davasıyla işlenebilir (örnek ülke kanunu)
5490 s. NHK, md. 27/A - Found in an official source
Boşanma, evlilik onarılmaz biçimde bozulunca hâkimce verilir (medeni dava)
oud BW art. 229 §1 - Found in an official source
Anlaşmalı boşanmada malların paylaşımı, çocukların bakımı ve barınması karara bağlanır
vlaanderen.be – Echtscheiding door onderlinge toestemming
The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.
General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?