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DEPENDS Flanders Wallonia Brussels

How much does childcare (kinderopvang / crèche) cost, and how do I find a place?

In short

Childcare is not compulsory. In many childcare centres, the price depends on the family's income. Start looking early; you can contact French-language childcare centres from the 4th month of pregnancy.

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This rule in 62 seconds
Video transcript

You're expecting a baby. You've left looking for childcare until after the birth. It depends: Childcare isn't compulsory. In many centres, the price depends on the family's income. Finding a place takes time. The right way: Start early. In Flanders, get an income certificate from Mijn Opgroeien. For French-language childcare, pre-apply at my.one.be. Good to know: Penalty: None; Flanders, no income cert.: Only provider-set prices; If you work: Tax-deductible.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • Dutch-language childcare in Flanders and Brussels: in childcare with an income-related price (inkomenstarief), the price depends on your income and family situation. For this, you obtain an income certificate (attest inkomenstarief) from Mijn Opgroeien and hand it in before childcare starts. From 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027, the daily price is usually between 6,68 € and 37,06 €.
  • In childcare with a free price (vrije prijs), the provider sets the price. If your child does not go to school yet, you can get kinderopvangtoeslag from the Groeipakket for each day of childcare.
  • You can find licensed childcare on Opgroeien's Kinderopvangzoeker website. Local childcare help desks (lokaal loket kinderopvang) can help you find a place.
  • French-language childcare in Wallonia and Brussels comes under ONE. First, fill in the pre-application form (pré-demande) on my.one.be. From the 4th month of pregnancy, contact childcare centres directly.
  • In childcare subsidised by ONE (subventionnée), the parental contribution depends on the household's monthly net income. The maximum daily contribution is 46,84 € (index-linked). Unsubsidised childcare charges different prices; ask beforehand.

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICE
Fine / payment
No penalty.
Court / prison
No prison sentence.

What really matters: the indirect consequences

  • In Flanders, you cannot use childcare with an income-related price without an income certificate, except in an acute crisis. Without the certificate, only childcare with a free price is available.

    Legal basis:Opgroeien – Snelinfo inkomenstarief oktober 2026

  • If you work, you can deduct part of your childcare costs from your taxes, provided the childcare has a licence or a quality label.

    Legal basis:Opgroeien – Hoeveel kost de opvang?

  • For vaccination rules, see the card 'Is it compulsory to vaccinate my child? Will a daycare accept an unvaccinated child?'.

Why does this rule exist?

Income-related prices allow low-income families to work too, and help children learn language and social skills from an early age. The licensing system protects children's safety.

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
11 / 11 statements in an official source
Checked: 14.10.2026
Last checked
14.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 11 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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