Can I force my daughter or son to marry someone they do not want?
In short
No. Forced marriage is a crime (level 3). Arranged introductions are allowed, but the final decision is the young person's free choice.
Video transcript
You've found a suitable match for your daughter. But she doesn't want this marriage. Not allowed: Introductions are allowed. But forcing someone to marry with violence or threats is a crime: level 3. The marriage age is 18. The right way: The final decision is the young person's. A young person under pressure can go to the police or the CLB / PMS service at school. Consequences (Level 3 offence): Prison: 3 – 5 years; Forced marriage: Can be declared void; Also: Residence may be affected.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- Arranging an introduction is allowed. But forcing someone to marry with violence or threats is a crime (art. 293, level 3). If the victim is a child or young person, or if it happened in front of a child, the judge sees this as an aggravating circumstance.
- Forced legal cohabitation (wettelijke samenwoning / cohabitation légale) is a crime in the same way (art. 294).
- The marriage age is 18; below that age, marriage is only possible in very exceptional cases, with permission from the family court.
- A forced marriage that takes place abroad can also cause problems in Belgium. A young person under pressure can go to the police or to the school's CLB / centre PMS.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- At this level the main penalty is prison or an alternative penalty. The victim can also claim compensation separately.
Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 36 + V.T.Sv. art. 3ejustice.just.fgov.be
What does this level mean? Criminal Code, level 3: 3 – 5 years in prison. All penalty levels →
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- It can appear on your criminal record extract (uittreksel uit het strafregister / extrait de casier judiciaire). This can cause problems when you apply for jobs.
Legal basis:Sv. art. 590, 595
- For serious or repeated crimes, your residence permit can be taken away or not renewed. Your citizenship application can be blocked.
Legal basis:Vreemdelingenwet 15.12.1980, art. 21, 13 §1 + WBN 28.6.1984, art. 15 §3
- A forced marriage can be declared invalid
Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek II, art. 296 + oud BW art. 146ter
- You may also have to pay compensation to the victim
Legal basis:V.T.Sv. 17.4.1878, art. 3, 4
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.
Why does this rule exist?
Marriage must be the free choice of both people. This rule protects the right of young people, and especially young women, to decide about their own lives.
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: 22.10.2026
- Last checked
- 22.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 11 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Zorla evlendirme suçtur, seviye 3
Strafwetboek Boek II (Justel, geconsolideerd, in werking 01-09-2026), art. 293 - Corrected according to the source
Şiddet veya tehditle evlenmeye zorlamak suçtur (md. 293, seviye 3)
Strafwetboek Boek II (Justel, geconsolideerd, in werking 01-09-2026), art. 293 - Found in an official source
Zorla yasal birlikte yaşama da suçtur (md. 294)
Strafwetboek Boek II (Justel, geconsolideerd, in werking 01-09-2026), art. 294 - Found in an official source
Evlenme yaşı 18; altında yalnız aile mahkemesinin istisnai izniyle
Oud Burgerlijk Wetboek, art. 144–145 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Seviye 3 = 3–5 yıl hapis
Kamer DOC 55 3374/010, art. 36 - Found in an official source
Zorla yapılan evlilik geçersiz sayılabilir
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek II, art. 296 + oud BW art. 146ter - Found in an official source
Oturum izni geri alınabilir
Vreemdelingenwet 15.12.1980, art. 21, 13 §1 + WBN 28.6.1984, art. 15 §3 - Found in an official source
Seviye 3: ana ceza hapis; hafifletici nedenle seviye 2/1 cezası; tazminat ayrıca
Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 36 + V.T.Sv. art. 3 - Found in an official source
Mahkûmiyet Strafregister'e işlenir; uittreksel bu kayıtları gösterir
Sv. art. 590, 595 - Found in an official source
Mağdur suçtan doğan zararın tazminini isteyebilir
V.T.Sv. 17.4.1878, art. 3, 4 - Found in an official source
Abartı taraması (2026-10-22): Tazminat kendiliğinden değil, mağdur isterse
Kaynak alıntısıyla karşılaştırma (abartı taraması)
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?