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Is voting compulsory in Belgian elections? What happens if I do not vote?

In short

It depends. Voting is compulsory for registered voters in federal, regional and European elections. In Flanders, it has not been compulsory in local and provincial elections since 2024.

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This rule in 60 seconds
Video transcript

It's election day. The weather is lovely, and you don't feel like going to vote. It depends: Compulsory in federal, regional and European elections. In Flanders, local elections have not been compulsory since 2024. The right way: If you are on the voters' list, vote. If you can't go, ask about voting by proxy or giving a valid excuse. If you don't vote: Fine: Probably no longer imposed; 4 times in 15 years: Removed from voters' list; Once removed: Issues with public jobs.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • Voting is compulsory in federal, regional and European elections.
  • In Flanders, voting has not been compulsory in local and provincial elections since 2024. In Brussels and Wallonia, it is still compulsory in local elections.
  • People who are not Belgian citizens must first register on the electoral roll if they want to vote in local elections. Once their registration is accepted, voting becomes compulsory for them too, in the regions where it is compulsory.
  • If you cannot go, you can vote by proxy (volmacht / procuration). You can also send your reason for not voting to the justice of the peace (vrederechter / juge de paix).

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICE
Fine / payment
The law provides for a reprimand or a fine of 5–10 € for a first absence, and 10–25 € for a repeat absence. Since 1 September 2026, the new Criminal Code treats offences in special laws that carry only a police penalty (no more than 25 € or 7 days) as repealed; the circular of the Board of Prosecutors General (COL 02/2026) confirms this. The fine for not voting can therefore most likely no longer be imposed; the circular does not mention this offence specifically.

Legal basis:Kieswetboek 12.4.1894, art. 210Kieswetboek 12.4.1894, art. 209-210 + Strafwetboek Boek I, art. 78 §1

Court / prison
There is no prison sentence, and you cannot be sent to prison for failing to pay the fine either.

Legal basis:Kieswetboek 12.4.1894, art. 210Kieswetboek 12.4.1894, art. 210

What really matters: the indirect consequences

  • Under the law, if you fail to vote 4 times in 15 years without a valid reason, you are removed from the electoral roll for 10 years. As the fine has most likely been abolished, it is unclear whether this rule is still applied.

    Legal basis:Kieswetboek 12.4.1894, art. 210Kieswetboek 12.4.1894, art. 210

  • During these 10 years, you cannot be appointed, promoted or given an honour by a public body

    Legal basis:Kieswetboek 12.4.1894, art. 210

  • The duty to vote is laid down in the Constitution and still applies. Even at the 2024 elections, the public prosecutor's office gave the lowest priority to prosecuting people who did not vote (COL 8/2024). Since September 2026, the penalty most likely cannot be applied.

    Legal basis:College PG – COL 8/2024

  • Failing to turn up without a valid reason when you have been called to serve as a polling station officer is a separate offence. At the 2024 elections, the public prosecutor's office offered these people a 250 € settlement (minnelijke schikking / transaction). If you cannot attend, report this within 48 hours of receiving your letter of appointment.

    Legal basis:College PG – COL 8/2024 + COL 15/2024SPF Intérieur – Élections: intervenants

What do these terms mean?

Justice of the peace
The local court in every canton for everyday disputes such as neighbour conflicts, rent and small debts. It first tries to reconcile the parties.

All terms: glossary →

Why does this rule exist?

Compulsory voting aims to make election results reflect society as a whole. Flanders has chosen to encourage turnout in local elections instead.

Where can you go?

  • Municipal population officeChange of address, identity card and residence card
  • Neighbourhood police officerAddress check (wijkagent / agent de quartier)
  • 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
23 / 23 statements in an official source
Checked: 12.10.2026
Last checked
12.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 23 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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