What happens if I hit someone in a fight? Is it still a crime if they started it?
In short
Usually yes. The fact that the other person started it does not on its own make you right. Only a proportionate defence against a serious and sudden attack that you cannot escape is self-defence. Deliberately injuring someone is punished from level 1 to 3, depending on how serious the injury is. If the person dies, it is level 4.
Video transcript
An argument breaks out. The other person pushes you, and you raise your fist. Not allowed: Hitting someone on purpose is a crime. The other person starting it doesn't make you right; self-defence has narrow limits. The right way: If an argument escalates, walk away and call the police: 101, or 112 in an emergency. Consequences (Level 1 – 4 offence): Minor injury: 200 € – 20.000 €; Serious injury: 6 months – 5 years prison; Also: Compensation to victim.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- Deliberately hitting or harming someone is a crime (arts. 194–196). The penalty ranges from level 1 to 3, depending on how serious the injury is. If the person dies, it is level 4 (art. 197). For planned violence, the penalty is one level higher (art. 198).
- The other person 'starting it' does not automatically make you right. The limits of self-defence are narrow.
- Violence because of someone's origin, religion, gender or similar reasons is punished more severely (art. 199, up to level 5).
- If an argument escalates, walk away and call the police (101, or 112 in an emergency).
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- For a minor injury, level 1: no prison. By law, there is a fine of 200 € – 20.000 €; with surcharge multipliers, the amount you pay can be higher. Or 20–120 hours of community service (werkstraf / peine de travail).
Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I
- Court / prison
- For a serious injury, level 2 or 3 (6 months – 5 years in prison); if the person dies, level 4: 5 – 10 years in prison
Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I
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 can 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
- For serious or repeated crimes, your residence permit can be taken away or not renewed. Your citizenship application can be blocked.
Legal basis:Vreemdelingenwet 15.12.1980, art. 21, 23 §2 + WBN 28.6.1984, art. 15 §3
- You may also have to pay compensation to the victim (treatment, lost work)
Legal basis:BW Boek 6, art. 6.5, 6.30
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?
No one may harm another person's body. Problems are solved through the police and the courts; a single punch can cause permanent disability.
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
- 11 / 11 statements in an official source
- Checked: 22.10.2026
- Last checked
- 22.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 11 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Kasten yaralama md. 194–196, seviye 1–3; ölümde md. 197 seviye 4; tasarlamada bir seviye yukarı (md. 198)
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek II - Found in an official source
Meşru müdafaa sınırları dardır
Justel, Wet 29.02.2024 boek I Strafwetboek (geconsolideerd, bijgewerkt tot 02-04-2026), art. 14 (BS 08.04.2024) - Found in an official source
Köken, din, cinsiyet nedeniyle şiddet ağırlaştırılmış; md. 199, seviye 5'e kadar
Belgisch Staatsblad 08.04.2024, Wet 29.02.2024 tot invoering van boek II van het Strafwetboek, art. 199 en art. 249 - Found in an official source
Polis 101, acil 112
112.be - Found in an official source
Seviye 1: 200–20.000 € para cezası veya 20–120 saat çalışma
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I - Found in an official source
Ağır yaralanmada seviye 2–3 (6 ay–5 yıl); ölümde seviye 4 (5–10 yıl)
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I - Found in an official source
Adli sicil, oturum izni/vatandaşlık sonuçları (ortak metin)
FOD Justitie – Uittreksel uit het strafregister - 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
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 - Found in an official source
Sorumlu kişi zararın tamamını (ör. tedavi masrafı, gelir kaybı) karşılar
BW Boek 6, art. 6.5, 6.30 - Found in an official source
Abartı taraması (2026-10-22): Başlık 'O başlattıysa da suç mu?' diye soruyor; özet şartsız 'Evet' diyor. Oysa haksız, ağır ve ani bir saldırıya karşı orantılı savunma meşru müdafaadır ve suç olmaz. Kart bu istisnayı yalnızca rules[1]'de dolaylı anıyor.
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?