Can I lend money at interest to people I know? When does it become illegal usury (loan sharking)?
In short
It depends. Lending money is not a criminal offence in itself. But exploiting someone's difficult situation to demand interest or other benefits far above the normal rate is usury (level 2).
Video transcript
Someone you know is in a tough spot and asks to borrow money. You're thinking of asking for very high interest. It depends: Lending money isn't a crime. But exploiting someone's difficult situation to ask far more interest or benefits than normal is usury. The right way: Lend on reasonable terms. If you owe a loan shark, get free debt advice; if threatened, go to the police. Usury (Level 2 offence): Prison: 6 months – 3 years; Excess interest: Can be claimed back; Threats to collect: A separate crime.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- Usury (woeker / usure) means exploiting the other person's need, weakness, passions or ignorance when you lend money (Criminal Code art. 478, level 2).
- For it to be an offence, the interest or other benefits demanded must clearly exceed normal interest and the risk of the loan.
- Demanding a house, a car, unpaid work or some other benefit instead of interest can also count.
- If the victim asks, the judge will reduce the borrower's obligations (old Civil Code art. 1907ter).
- If you owe money to a loan shark yourself, contact a free debt mediation service (schuldbemiddeling / médiation de dettes); if you are threatened, go to the police.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- The victim can also claim compensation for their losses; the judge can deduct the excess interest from the debt.
Legal basis:oud BW art. 1907ter
- Court / prison
- Level 2: 6 months – 3 years in prison. The judge can also impose a different penalty instead of prison (for example, community service).
Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 36FOD Justitie – Hervorming Strafwetboek
What does this level mean? Criminal Code, level 2: 6 months – 3 years in prison or an alternative sentence. All penalty levels →
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- It may appear on your criminal record extract (uittreksel uit het strafregister / extrait de casier judiciaire); this can cause problems when you apply for jobs
Legal basis:Sv. art. 590, 595
- Excess interest and other benefits taken can be claimed back
Legal basis:oud BW art. 1907ter
- Using threats or violence to collect the debt is a separate offence
Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek II, art. 231, 232
- For serious or repeated offences, your residence permit can be revoked and your citizenship application may be affected
Legal basis:Vreemdelingenwet 15.12.1980, art. 21, 23 §2 + WBN 28.6.1984, art. 15 §3
What do these terms mean?
- Criminal record
- The state register of convictions handed down by a court. The extract asked for a job, residence or nationality application comes from it. Municipal GAS fines are not entered in it.
Why does this rule exist?
People in a difficult situation may feel forced to accept bad terms in order to borrow money. The rule protects newcomers, people in debt and people who speak little of the language from exploitation.
Where can you go?
- Free first-line legal advice and pro deo lawyerA free or low-cost lawyer if your income is low
- Justice HouseInformation and support for victims, accused people and convicted people (Justitiehuis / Maison de justice)
- Emergency112 · Police 101
- 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
- 14 / 14 statements in an official source
- Checked: 12.10.2026
- Last checked
- 12.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 14 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Tefecilik md. 478; zayıflık, tutku, ihtiyaç, bilgisizlikten yararlanma
Strafwetboek Boek II (Wet 29 februari 2024), Justel, art. 478 - Found in an official source
Md. 478 seviye 2
Strafwetboek Boek II (Wet 29 februari 2024), Justel, art. 478 - Found in an official source
Faiz/çıkar normal faizi ve risk karşılığını açıkça aşmalı
Strafwetboek Boek II (Wet 29 februari 2024), Justel, art. 478 (özet; tam alıntı alınamadı) - Found in an official source
'Andere voordelen' (diğer çıkarlar) da kapsamda
Strafwetboek Boek II (Wet 29 februari 2024), Justel, art. 478 (özet: 'interest or other benefits') - Found in an official source
Hâkim, mağdurun talebiyle borçlunun yükümlülüklerini azaltabilir (oud BW art. 1907ter)
Strafwetboek Boek II (Wet 29 februari 2024), Justel, art. 478 (özet) - Found in an official source
Borç danışmanlığı yönlendirmesi (genel tavsiye)
Vlaanderen.be – Schuldbemiddeling - Found in an official source
Seviye 2'de en az hapis 6 ay
FOD Justitie – Hervorming Strafwetboek - Found in an official source
Seviye 2'de en çok hapis 3 yıl
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 36 - Found in an official source
Hapis yerine kamu yararına çalışma gibi alternatif ceza
FOD Justitie – Hervorming Strafwetboek - Found in an official source
Hâkim, borçlunun talebiyle borcu ana para ve yasal faize indirir; zarar ayrıca istenebilir
oud BW art. 1907ter - Found in an official source
Mahkûmiyet Strafregister'e kaydedilir; kişi bir uittreksel alabilir ve bu belge iş başvurusunda istenebilir
Sv. art. 590, 595 - Found in an official source
İndirim yapılmış ödemelere de uygulanır; ödemeden itibaren 3 yıl içinde istenmelidir
oud BW art. 1907ter - Found in an official source
Bir şartla (ör. 'öde yoksa...') yapılan tehdit ağırlaştırılmış tehdit suçudur
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek II, art. 231, 232 - Found in an official source
Kamu düzeni nedeniyle oturum sona erdirilebilir; suçun ağırlığı dikkate alınır; vatandaşlıkta savcı 'kişiye özgü ciddi olgular' nedeniyle olumsuz görüş verebilir
Vreemdelingenwet 15.12.1980, art. 21, 23 §2 + WBN 28.6.1984, art. 15 §3
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?