Can I register at another address, or register someone at my address, to get more benefits?
In short
No. Registering at an address where you do not really live, or registering someone else there, is a false statement. It can lead to prosecution for forgery or fraud.
Video transcript
You heard that benefits go up if you appear to live alone. Not allowed: Registering where you do not live, or registering someone at your address, is a false statement; if done to cheat, it is a level 3 crime. The right way: Register at the address where you really live. The local police officer checks addresses. Outcome (Level 3 crime): Prison: 3 – 5 years; Benefits: Reclaimed going back years; Also: Criminal record.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- The address in the population register must be the place where you really live.
- Using a fake address to get higher benefits, pay less tax or appear to “live alone” is forbidden.
- Registering someone at your address who does not really live there is also forbidden.
- The neighbourhood police officer checks addresses.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- At level 3, the main penalty is prison. The judge can also add a fine of 200 € – 10.000 €. Any benefits you received wrongly will also be reclaimed.
Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 52 §1
- Court / prison
- If there is fraudulent intent, forgery of documents or fraud: Criminal Code art. 451, 479; level 3 (3–5 years)
Legal basis:Kamer DOC 55 3518/011, art. 451, 479Kamer DOC 55 3374/010, art. 36
What does this level mean? Criminal Code, level 3: 3 – 5 years in prison. All penalty levels →
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- Benefits reclaimed going back several years
Legal basis:Besluitwet 28.12.1944, art. 7 §13 (GwH arrest 129/2021, B.1)
- A criminal record
Legal basis:Sv. art. 590
- For foreign nationals, it can count against them when their right of residence is assessed
Legal basis:Vreemdelingenwet 15.12.1980, art. 21 + KB 8.10.1981, art. 39 §7
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?
The benefit and tax systems rely on everyone making honest statements. A fake address unfairly diverts money meant for people in need to someone else.
Where can you go?
- Municipal population officeChange of address, identity card and residence card
- Neighbourhood police officerAddress check (wijkagent / agent de quartier)
- 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
- 8 / 8 statements in an official source
- Checked: 22.10.2026
- Last checked
- 22.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 8 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Belgede sahtecilik md. 451 ve dolandırıcılık md. 479, seviye 3
Kamer DOC 55 3518/011, art. 451, 479 - Found in an official source
Seviye 3 = 3–5 yıl
Kamer DOC 55 3374/010, art. 36 - Found in an official source
Mahalle polisi adres kontrolü yapar
Vlaanderen.be – Aangifte van adreswijziging - Found in an official source
Seviye 3'te hâkim 200–10.000 € ek para cezası verebilir
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 52 §1 - Found in an official source
Mahkûmiyet Strafregister'e işlenir
Sv. art. 590 - Found in an official source
Kamu düzeni nedeniyle oturuma son verilebilir; resen silinen yabancının ülkeyi terk ettiği varsayılır
Vreemdelingenwet 15.12.1980, art. 21 + KB 8.10.1981, art. 39 §7 - Found in an official source
Haksız alınan ödenekler yıllar geriye dönük geri istenir (işsizlik: 3 yıl, hile/bedrogda 5 yıl)
Besluitwet 28.12.1944, art. 7 §13 (GwH arrest 129/2021, B.1) - Found in an official source
Abartı taraması (2026-10-22): Belgede sahtecilik ve dolandırıcılık cezası kasıt ister (hile kastı / zarar verme amacı). Kart seviye 3 cezayı bu şart olmadan, her hayalî adres için geçerli gibi yazıyor.
Kaynak alıntısıyla karşılaştırma (abartı taraması)
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?