If my child under 16 breaks someone's window or hits their car, do I have to pay for the damage?
In short
Yes. Since 1 January 2025, parents are liable without fault for damage caused by a child under 16; the defence 'I raised my child well' is not accepted.
Video transcript
Your son was playing ball and broke the neighbour's window. Required: Since 1 January 2025, parents are liable without fault for damage caused by a child under 16. 'I raised them well' is no defence. The right way: Take out family liability insurance. It usually covers this kind of damage; cover depends on the policy. Consequences: Penalty: None, but compensation; No insurance: You pay out of pocket; Age 12 and over: Child may be liable too.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- Parents, guardians, foster families and adoptive parents are liable without fault for damage a child under 16 causes to others (new Civil Code, art. 6.12).
- Parents are also liable for children aged 16 to 18, but they can avoid liability if they prove they were not at fault.
- A child aged 12 or older can also be held liable personally.
- Take out family liability insurance (familiale verzekering / assurance RC familiale). It usually covers damage your child causes to others (for example, the neighbour's window); the cover depends on the policy.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- Not a fine, but compensation: you pay for the damage caused (out of your own pocket if you have no insurance)
Legal basis:BW Boek 6, art. 6.12
- Court / prison
- No prison sentence; this is a civil (compensation) liability
Legal basis:BW Boek 6, art. 6.12
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- A family without insurance can end up with a large compensation debt
Legal basis:BW Boek 6, art. 6.12
- A child who commits an offence goes to the youth court; the parents are involved in the process
Legal basis:Jeugdbeschermingswet 8.4.1965, art. 46
Why does this rule exist?
The person who suffered damage must be compensated. The rule protects the victim and encourages parents to protect themselves with insurance.
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
- 10 / 10 statements in an official source
- Checked: 12.10.2026
- Last checked
- 12.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 10 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
1 Ocak 2025'ten beri 16 yaş altı çocuğun zararından ebeveyn kusursuz sorumlu
Wet 7 februari 2024, Boek 6 BW, art. 6.12 en art. 44–45 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Anne-baba, vasi, koruyucu aile ve evlat edinenler kusursuz sorumlu (md. 6.12)
Boek 6 BW, art. 6.12 §1 - Found in an official source
16–18 yaşta ebeveyn sorumlu, ama kusursuzluğunu ispatlarsa kurtulur
Boek 6 BW, art. 6.12 §2 - Found in an official source
12 yaş ve üstü çocuk kendisi de sorumlu olabilir
Boek 6 BW, art. 6.9–6.10 - Found in an official source
Yürürlük 1 Ocak 2025
Wet 7 februari 2024, art. 44–45 - Corrected according to the source
Aile sorumluluk sigortası bu zararları karşılar
Wikifin – BA Familiale - Found in an official source
Ebeveyn çocuğun verdiği zarardan kusursuz sorumludur (tazminat)
BW Boek 6, art. 6.12 - Found in an official source
Sorumluluk medeni hukuktan doğar (tazminat), ceza değildir
BW Boek 6, art. 6.12 - Found in an official source
Kusursuz sorumluluk nedeniyle tazminatı ebeveyn öder
BW Boek 6, art. 6.12 - Found in an official source
Gençlik mahkemesindeki davada celp ebeveynlere de gönderilir
Jeugdbeschermingswet 8.4.1965, art. 46
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?