Can I pick chestnuts in the forest?
In short
It depends on the region. In Wallonia, you need the forest owner's permission for chestnuts; some municipal forests allow small amounts. In Flanders, it is forbidden as a rule; for small amounts you usually only get a warning. Picking without permission in order to sell can count as theft.
Video transcript
Autumn. Chestnuts lie on the forest floor, and you have brought a bag. It depends: It depends on the region. In Wallonia you need the forest owner's permission; in Flanders it is banned as a rule. The right way: Check the forest's rules first. Without permission, do not pick; never pick to sell. Outcome: Small first offence: Usually a warning; Wallonia: 50 – 150 € settlement fine; For sale: Theft case.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- Wallonia: In forests owned by the Region, general permission is explicitly given only for mushrooms (10 litres per person, from sunrise to sunset, forbidden during the hunting season). For other products, such as chestnuts, you need the forest owner's permission. Some municipal forests also allow it (e.g. Stoumont: 10 litres per person per day).
- Flanders: in public forests it is forbidden to gather fruit and seeds without the owner's permission and the authorisation of the Forest Agency (Bosdecreet, art. 97). Even if a forest ranger sometimes turns a blind eye, that is not permission. People who break the rule can get an official report and a fine.
- Brussels: In the Sonian Forest (Zoniënwoud / Forêt de Soignes), you may not pick fruit or plants; ask Brussels Environment (Bruxelles Environnement) about the current practice.
- Municipal and private forests belong to their owners; taking anything without permission infringes their property rights. In nature reserves, you may not take anything.
- Picking in someone else's forest without permission and selling what you pick can count as theft.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- In Wallonia, the forest administration can offer a settlement fine of 50–150 €. In Brussels, anyone who breaks the picking ban in a nature or forest reserve can get an administrative fine of 50–62.500 €. In Flanders, an administrative fine can be imposed.
Legal basis:Brussels Wetboek milieumisdrijven 25.3.1999, art. 45wallonie.be – Circuler en forêt
- Court / prison
- Picking to sell can lead to criminal proceedings for theft. In Brussels, the law lists 8 days to 2 years in prison for breaking the picking ban in a nature or forest reserve.
Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek II, art. 465Natuurordonnantie 1.3.2012, art. 27 §1, 93 + Wetboek 25.3.1999, art. 31 §1
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- The forest ranger writes an official report (proces-verbaal / procès-verbal) on people who break the rule. In Wallonia they can offer a settlement fine of 50–150 €.
Legal basis:wallonie.be – Circuler en forêt
- Picking to sell is not allowed. In Wallonia the law defines 'prélèvement' as picking a small amount only for your own use, not for profit; even this needs the forest owner's permission (Forest Code art. 3 and 50).
Legal basis:Code forestier 15.7.2008, art. 1er, 18°ejustice.just.fgov.be
- In a recognised nature reserve (natuurreservaat / réserve naturelle), picking plants or fruit is also forbidden.
Legal basis:vlaanderen.be – Wat mag u als bezoeker in de natuur
Why does this rule exist?
A forest is not ownerless; the picking permissions in Wallonia are in fact general permissions given by the owner. Chestnuts are winter food for squirrels, wild boar, deer and birds. If everyone takes a little too much, there will be nothing left in the forest.
Where can you go?
- Regional nature agenciesFlanders: Natuur en Bos · Wallonia: DNF · Brussels: Bruxelles Environnement
- MunicipalityMunicipal forests, animal registration and places for sacrificial slaughter
- 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
- 15 / 15 statements in an official source
- Checked: 02.11.2026
- Last checked
- 23.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 15 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Valonya bölge ormanlarında genel izin yalnız mantar için yazılı (10 litre); kestane için sahibinin izni gerekir
Circuler en forêt en Wallonie – wallonie.be - Found in an official source
Bazı belediye ormanları izin verir (Stoumont: günde kişi başı 10 litre)
Stoumont belediye meclisi 23.07.2020, cueillette règlement, art. 1, 4, 5 - Found in an official source
Flandre: Bosdecreet md. 97 ile yasak
Bosdecreet 13.06.1990, art. 97 §1, 3° (kamu ormanları) - Found in an official source
Brüksel Soignes Ormanı'nda toplama yok
Bruxelles Environnement – Que peut-on faire et ne pas faire dans la Forêt de Soignes (Ordonnance 30.03.1995) - Found in an official source
Belediye/özel ormanda sahibinin izni gerekir; doğa rezervinde hiçbir şey alınmaz
Wallex – Décret du 15 juillet 2008 relatif au Code forestier (consolidé, en vigueur 01/01/24–31/12/24), art. 1er 18° et art. 50 - Found in an official source
Doğa rezervinde toplama yasak (Flandre)
Vlaanderen.be, Wat mag u als bezoeker doen in de Vlaamse natuur - Found in an official source
Valonya'da orman idaresi 50–150 € uzlaşma cezası önerebilir
wallonie.be – Circuler en forêt - Found in an official source
Başkasının ormanından ticari toplama hırsızlık olarak cezalandırılabilir (seviye 2)
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek II, art. 465 - Corrected according to the source
Orman idaresi ihlalde tutanak tutar ve uzlaşma önerebilir
wallonie.be – Circuler en forêt - Corrected according to the source
İzinli toplama yalnız kendi ihtiyacınız için ve kâr amacı olmadan küçük miktardır
Code forestier 15.7.2008, art. 1er, 18° - Corrected according to the source
Tanınmış doğa rezervinde bitki/meyve toplamak Natuurdecreet ile yasaktır
vlaanderen.be – Wat mag u als bezoeker in de natuur - Found in an official source
Brüksel rezervde toplama: alternatif idari ceza 50–62.500 €
Brussels Wetboek milieumisdrijven 25.3.1999, art. 45 - Found in an official source
Brüksel rezervde toplama yasağı ihlali: 8 gün–2 yıl hapis ve/veya 50–100.000 €
Natuurordonnantie 1.3.2012, art. 27 §1, 93 + Wetboek 25.3.1999, art. 31 §1 - Corrected according to the source
Bosdecreet md. 97: yasak kamu ormanlarında; sahibin izni + Ajans yetkisiyle istisna
Bosdecreet 13.6.1990, art. 97 §1 - Found in an official source
Düzeltme (Kasım 2026 doğrulaması): Valonya'da kanun yalnız kendi ihtiyacı için kârsız küçük miktar toplamaya izin verir
Code forestier art. 3, 18° ve art. 50
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?