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NOT ALLOWED All of Belgium

Can I take a second wife through a religious (imam) marriage while I am still married?

In short

No. In Belgium, entering into a second civil marriage while you are already married is a criminal offence (level 1). A religious (imam) marriage is not a marriage in law: the 'second wife' does not get the rights of the legal spouse. A religious official who conducts a religious marriage before the civil marriage is also punished.

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This rule in 55 seconds
Video transcript

You are married. You want a religious imam marriage with a second woman. Not allowed: Marrying officially again while married is a crime. An imam marriage is not a marriage in law; the second wife doesn't get a legal wife's rights. The right way: In Belgium you can only have one marriage at a time. First the civil marriage at the municipality, then a religious one if you wish. Consequences (Level 1 offence): Fine: 200 € – 20.000 €; Or community service: 20 – 120 hours; Second wife and children: May be left unprotected.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • In Belgium, you can only be married to one person at a time. Marrying again while you are still married (bigamie / bigamie) is a criminal offence (art. 366, level 1).
  • This ban also applies in Belgium to foreign nationals whose own country's law allows more than one spouse.
  • The civil marriage (burgerlijk huwelijk / mariage civil) at the municipality must come first. A religious official who conducts a religious marriage before the civil marriage is punished (art. 642, level 1).
  • A religious (imam) marriage is not a substitute for marriage under Belgian law. The 'second wife' does not have the rights of a legal spouse.
  • The father can recognise a child born from this relationship at the municipality (erkenning / reconnaissance). If the father is married to someone else, his wife is notified of the recognition.

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICECriminal Code, level 1
Fine / payment
The law sets a fine of 200 € – 20.000 €; with surcharges, the amount to pay can be higher. Alternatively, 20–120 hours of community service (werkstraf / peine de travail) or 6–12 months of probation (probatiestraf / peine de probation).

Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 36Kamer DOC 56 1373/002 (opdeciemen)

Court / prison
No prison sentence (level 1); probation can be imposed.

Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 36

What does this level mean? Criminal Code, level 1: No prison: a fine, community service or probation. 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:FOD Justitie – Uittreksel uit het strafregister

  • Women and children in a religious-only marriage can be left without legal protection

    Legal basis:oud BW art. 147, 166

  • The father must officially recognise the child; otherwise it is harder for the child to enforce their rights against the father

    Legal basis:oud BW art. 315, 319

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.

All terms: glossary →

Why does this rule exist?

The rule protects equality in marriage, and women in particular. A civil marriage gives clear rights to maintenance, inheritance and protection on divorce. An unregistered 'second wife' and her children can be left without this protection.

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
13 / 13 statements in an official source
Checked: 12.10.2026
Last checked
12.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 13 checked statementsopen

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?

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