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REQUIRED All of Belgium

Do I have to show my ID if the police stop me? Can I resist if I think it is unfair?

In short

Yes, you must show your ID. Resisting the police with force is a crime (level 1 without a weapon, level 2 with a weapon). If you think the police action is unfair, stay calm and make a complaint afterwards.

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This rule in 64 seconds
Video transcript

The police stop you in the street and ask for ID. You think it's unfair. Required: From age 15, you must show your ID. Resisting the police with force or threats is a crime. The right way: Stay calm and show your ID. If you think it was unfair, complain afterwards or get free legal advice. If you resist: Resisting unarmed: 200 € – 20.000 €; Resisting with a weapon: 6 months – 3 years prison; Resisting as a group: 3 – 5 years prison.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • From the age of 15, you must carry your identity card and show it when the police ask; foreigners must carry their residence card.
  • Resisting the police with force or threats is a crime (art. 644). Resisting without a weapon is level 1; with a weapon it is level 2. If a police officer becomes ill or unable to work because of the resistance, the penalty is higher: level 2 without a weapon, level 3 with a weapon. Resisting together with two or more people is level 3 (art. 645).
  • If you are in police custody, you have the right to speak to a lawyer; if your income is low, you can ask for a free lawyer (pro deo).
  • If you think the police action is unfair, do not argue. After the incident, make a complaint or contact a free first-line legal advice service (juridische eerstelijnsbijstand / aide juridique de première ligne).

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICECriminal Code, level 1
Fine / payment
Not showing your ID leads to an official report. Resisting without a weapon is level 1. 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.

Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek IIIBZ – FAQ identiteitskaart + Strafwetboek, art. 644, 36

Court / prison
For resisting without a weapon (level 1) there is no prison. For resisting with a weapon, or if a police officer becomes ill or unable to work (level 2): 6 months – 3 years in prison or electronic monitoring; 120–300 hours of community service can also be given. For armed resistance where a police officer becomes unable to work, or for group resistance (level 3): 3 – 5 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

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?

Identity checks are there for public safety and also for your own protection. The rule protects the safety of public officers and the enforcement of the law; your rights are protected by your lawyer and the complaints procedure.

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
12 / 12 statements in an official source
Checked: 12.10.2026
Last checked
12.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 12 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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