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NOT ALLOWEDOffence All of Belgium

Is attacking a police officer, doctor, teacher or bus driver because of their job punished more severely?

In short

Yes. Violence against a person exercising a societal function, because of that function, is punished one level higher than ordinary violence (levels 2–5). Deliberately killing such a person because of their function is level 8, for which the law prescribes life imprisonment.

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This rule in 63 seconds
Video transcript

The bus has passed your stop and the door won't open. You lose your temper and go for the driver: 'Open the door, or you'll see!' Not allowed: Violence against police, doctors, nurses, teachers, postal workers or public transport drivers because of their job is one level higher: level 2 – 5. The right way: Even when you're angry, keep your hands to yourself and talk calmly. This also applies outside working hours. If it has nothing to do with the job, ordinary rules apply. Consequences (Level 2 – 5 offence): No or minor injury: 6 months – 3 years prison; Serious injury: 3 – 10 years prison; If the victim dies: 10 – 15 years prison.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • The law treats certain people as a 'person exercising a societal function' (persoon met een maatschappelijke functie / personne exerçant une fonction sociétale) (Criminal Code art. 79).
  • They include police officers, prison staff, firefighters, healthcare workers such as doctors and nurses, A&E reception staff, teachers and school staff, postal workers, and public transport drivers and ticket inspectors.
  • Lawyers, notaries, bailiffs, journalists, ministers of religion, mayors and councillors, VDAB, FOREM, Actiris and ADG job counsellors and members of the OCMW/CPAS are also included.
  • 'Because of their function' means that the motive for the offence is something the victim did, is doing or will do as part of that function (art. 79). This also applies outside working hours.
  • If the violence has nothing to do with the function – for example, a private quarrel at work – this heavier penalty does not apply, and the ordinary rules on violence apply instead.
  • Violence against these people because of their function is one level higher than ordinary violence: no injury or minor injury level 2, more serious injury level 3 or 4, death level 5 (art. 202).
  • Deliberately killing such a person because of their function is level 8 (art. 102). The judge also treats violence against a sports referee because of their refereeing as an aggravating factor (art. 204).

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICEOffence · Criminal Code, level 2
Fine / payment
At level 2, the judge can also impose electronic monitoring, community service or probation instead of prison. The victim can also claim compensation.

Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 36BW Boek 6, art. 6.5

Court / prison
Level 2: 6 months – 3 years, level 3: 3 – 5 years, level 4: 5 – 10 years, level 5: 10 – 15 years in prison. Deliberately killing a person because of their function (art. 102) level 8: life imprisonment.

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

What does this level mean? Criminal Code, level 2: 6 months – 3 years in prison or an alternative sentence. All penalty levels →

What really matters: the indirect consequences

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?

Police officers, health workers, teachers and drivers serve everyone. The rule protects these people from being attacked because of their work, and with them the service they provide.

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
16 / 16 statements in an official source
Checked: 26.10.2026
Last checked
26.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 16 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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