52 rules

I have a child

School, your child's safety, parental responsibility and family rules.

☐ Not allowed: Is it a crime to shout at, humiliate or hit my partner or child at home? — Yes, it is a crime. The new Criminal Code (Strafwetboek / Code pénal) punishes physical violence in the family, and also psychological violence such as constant humiliation.
☐ Not allowed: Can I force my daughter or son to marry someone they do not want? — No. Forced marriage is a crime (level 3). Arranged introductions are allowed, but the final decision is the young person's free choice.
☐ Not allowed: After a divorce, can I take my child to another country without the other parent's permission? — No. Not handing a child over to the other parent, or taking a child abroad without permission, can be a crime (level 2; level 3 in aggravated cases).
☐ Not allowed: Can I give my 15-year-old child a beer or a cigarette at home, with the family? — For cigarettes, no: giving tobacco products to anyone under 18 is banned, even at home. For alcohol, the law bans selling, serving and offering any alcohol to anyone under 16, and spirits to anyone under 18. Even so, do not give your child alcohol.
☐ Not allowed: What happens if I don't pay the maintenance set by the court? — Knowingly not paying maintenance set by a court decision for more than 2 months is a crime (level 1). If your ability to pay has changed, do not stop paying; go to the family court.
☐ Not allowed: Can I use my phone or ride without lights on my bike? — No. Holding a phone in your hand is forbidden on a bike too, and front and rear lights are compulsory in the dark. The alcohol limits also apply to cyclists.
☐ Not allowed: We have separated. Is it an offence if I do not bring the child back after the weekend, or do not hand them over to the other parent? — Yes, it can be. Knowingly failing to follow the arrangement set by the court or in the divorce agreement is a level 2 offence (art. 681).
☐ Not allowed: Can I slap my child to discipline them? — No. Under the Criminal Code, violence against a child can be a criminal offence even if it leaves no mark (art. 200, level 2). The law makes no exception for a 'corrective slap'. However, a specific law that explicitly bans smacking has not been passed yet.
☐ Not allowed: Can I leave my dog in the car for a short while? What is the penalty for abandoning or hitting an animal? — Leaving an animal in a hot car where it is in danger, abandoning it and causing it unnecessary suffering are all forbidden. In all three regions, this can lead to a court penalty and a ban on keeping animals.
☐ Not allowed: Is it a crime to open or keep a child abuse video posted in a WhatsApp group, or to share it 'as a warning'? — Yes, it can be. Knowingly accessing child sexual abuse images is a crime (level 2); knowingly keeping or sharing them is more serious (level 3). Do not share them, even as a warning; report them to the police or Child Focus.
☐ Not allowed: An adult is chatting online with my child and wants to meet them. Is that a crime, and what should I do? — Yes, it can be. Proposing a meeting to a child in order to commit a sexual offence, and taking a concrete step towards it, is a crime (level 3). Keep the messages; report it to the police or Child Focus.
☐ Not allowed: Is it a crime to force someone to worship, to stop them from worshipping, or to disturb order in a place of worship? — Yes. Using violence or threats to force someone to take part in worship, or to stop them from doing so, is a crime (level 1). Disrupting worship, and insulting objects of worship in a place of worship or during a religious ceremony, are also crimes.
☐ Not allowed: What is the penalty for killing a spouse, child or other relative? Does 'honour' or tradition reduce the penalty? — Deliberately killing a close family member (such as a parent, child, brother or sister, spouse or partner) is murder within the family, for which the law prescribes life imprisonment (level 8). The law treats killing in the name of 'honour', tradition or religion as an aggravating factor, not a mitigating one.
☐ Required: Is it compulsory to wear a seat belt in the back seat and to put my child in a child seat? — Yes. Everyone in the front and back must wear a seat belt. A child shorter than 1,35 m must sit in an approved child seat. Not wearing a seat belt is a 2nd-degree offence; not putting a child in a child seat is a 3rd-degree offence.
☐ Required: Do I have to stop at a pedestrian crossing if the pedestrian has not stepped onto the road yet? — Yes. At a pedestrian crossing, you must also give way to a pedestrian who is about to cross. Not giving way to a pedestrian is a 3rd-degree offence.
☐ Required: Can I take my child on holiday abroad before school ends because the tickets are cheaper? — No. School attendance is compulsory from age 5 to 18. A holiday outside the school holidays is an unauthorised absence. In Flanders, this can make you lose your school allowance. In serious cases, the file goes to the public prosecutor.
☐ Required: If my child under 16 breaks someone's window or hits their car, do I have to pay for the damage? — Yes. Since 1 January 2025, parents are liable without fault for damage caused by a child under 16; the defence 'I raised my child well' is not accepted.
☐ Required: Do I have to have my cat microchipped and neutered? — Yes. Your cat must be microchipped and registered in CatID by the age of 12 weeks at the latest. Neutering is also compulsory in all three regions.
☐ Required: Do I have to have my dog microchipped and registered? — Yes. In all three regions, your dog must be microchipped and registered in DogID by the age of 8 weeks at the latest. Selling, buying or giving away a dog without a chip is forbidden.
☐ Required: Baby and child car seats: which children must use one, and may a child sit in the front? — A child under 18 who is shorter than 135 cm must sit in a suitable child car seat. Children may sit in the front, but if a rear-facing baby seat is fitted in the front, the front airbag must be switched off.
☐ Required: Do I have to get my child vaccinated? Will a nursery take an unvaccinated child? — Yes, the polio vaccine is compulsory for all babies. French-speaking nurseries also require other vaccines; Dutch-speaking nurseries do not require them but recommend them.
☐ Required: My child was born in Belgium. When do I have to register the birth with the municipality and with my country's consulate? — Register the birth with the municipality within 15 days. You may also need to register it with your country's consulate; ask the consulate about the deadline. If you are a recognised refugee, do not go to the consulate; ask the CGRS (CGVS / CGRA) for advice.
☐ Required: How does the school system work in French-language schools in Wallonia and Brussels? Which school does my child go to at what age? — School is compulsory from age 5 to 18. A child can start nursery school at 2½; primary school lasts 6 years and secondary school also 6 years. In 2026-2027, nursery, primary and the 1st year of secondary are part of the common core (tronc commun).
☐ Required: How does the school system work in Flanders and in Dutch-language schools in Brussels? Which school does my child go to at what age? — School is compulsory from age 5 to 18. A child can start nursery school at 2½; primary school lasts 6 years and secondary school 6 years in 3 stages. The school tests every child's Dutch; if it is not good enough, language support is mandatory.
☐ Required: We have just arrived in Belgium and my child does not speak the school language. How does my child start school, and is there support? — Every child living in Belgium has the right to education and school is compulsory. For children who do not know the school language there are reception classes: in Flanders OKAN in secondary school and, since 2026, language classes (taalheldklas) in primary school; in French-language schools DASPA.
☐ Depends: Can my child ride an electric scooter (e-step), and can they ride on the pavement? — In traffic, your child must be at least 16, except in places such as residential and play streets. Electric scooters follow the bicycle rules: riding on the pavement in built-up areas is forbidden, you cannot carry a second person, and the maximum speed is 25 km/h.
☐ Depends: Can I leave my young child alone at home while I go shopping? — It depends. The law sets no fixed age; what matters is the child's age and maturity. Knowingly leaving a child who needs supervision alone, or without care, can be a crime.
☐ Depends: Can I pick chestnuts in the forest? — 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.
☐ Depends: Will my child benefit be stopped if my child stays abroad for a long time in the summer? — A long stay abroad can affect your child benefit. Ask your payment organisation before you go; there are separate rules for education and health situations.
☐ Depends: As a pedestrian, can I cross the road wherever I want? — Only under certain conditions. If there is a pedestrian crossing within about 20 metres, you must use it. You may not step into the road when the pedestrian light is red, and you must give way to trams.
☐ Depends: Can someone under 18 get married in Belgium? — As a rule, no. The minimum age for marriage is 18. The family court can only make an exception if there are serious reasons.
☐ Depends: Can I share a photo of my child or of someone else on social media? At what age can my child open an account? — It depends. To share a photo of a recognisable person outside your private circle, you need their permission. A child under 13 needs parental consent to use social media.
☐ Depends: What happens if my child under 18 commits a criminal offence? — The child usually goes before the youth court. The aim is education and repairing the harm rather than punishment. But a young person aged 16 or over can be referred to an adult court for a serious offence.
☐ Depends: Do I need a permit to get a dog or cat in Wallonia? — It depends. In Wallonia, everyone automatically has a permit to keep animals. But when you get an animal from a shelter, breeder or shop, you must bring a certificate from the central register, which you get from your municipality. For cats and dogs, there is no exception, even if you get them from a private individual.
☐ Depends: Which number should I call in an emergency or when I need a doctor at night? — It depends on the situation: 112 for an ambulance or the fire service, 101 for urgent police help, and 1733 for the duty doctor out of hours.
☐ Depends: Can I bring honey, fish, eggs or baby food from a country outside the EU? — Yes, in limited quantities. You can bring up to 20 kg of fish, and up to 2 kg in total of products such as honey and eggs. Meat and dairy products are banned.
☐ Depends: Which animals can I keep at home? Can I have a monkey, a squirrel or a snake? — It depends. The only mammals you may keep without a permit are those on the official "positive list". For a species that is not on the list, you need separate approval from the region.
☐ Depends: Is there a licence, helmet or age requirement for an electric bicycle? — Not for an ordinary electric bicycle (at most 250 W, with assistance cutting out at 25 km/h); it counts as a normal bicycle. For a motorised bicycle with a motor of up to 1 kW, you must be at least 16.
☐ Depends: How can I carry my child on a bicycle: a seat, a trailer, a cargo bike? — You can, but only in a suitable seat or trailer. Without a seat and footrests, a passenger may not sit on the rack. A bicycle trailer can carry at most 2 people.
☐ Depends: Do I need a licence, a number plate and insurance to ride a moped (scooter)? — Under certain conditions. You do not need a licence for a class A moped (at most 25 km/h); for a class B moped (45 km/h) you need an AM licence. Both need a number plate and insurance.
☐ Depends: Can I take a passenger or a child on the back of my motorbike or moped? — Under certain conditions. The passenger must have a seat and keep their feet on the footrests. Children under 3 may not be carried at all, and children under 8 may not be carried on a motorbike over 125 cc.
☐ Depends: How can I get divorced in Belgium? Can I divorce even if my spouse does not want to? — Yes, there are two routes: by mutual consent, or by showing that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. Even if your spouse does not want a divorce, you can apply on your own if you have lived apart for more than 1 year.
☐ Depends: Can I leave my estate to whoever I want? What share do my children and my spouse get? — Partly. If you have children, half of your estate is always reserved for them; you can leave the other half by will to whoever you want. Your spouse also has rights protected by law.
☐ Depends: I am going on holiday abroad; if I get ill there, is my Belgian health insurance valid? — Partly. The European Health Insurance Card is only valid in EU countries and a few other European countries. If you are going to a country that has a social security agreement with Belgium, ask your health insurance fund (ziekenfonds / mutualité) for a form for that country. For other countries, check your travel insurance.
☐ Depends: How do I enrol my child in school? Can the school turn my child away? — You choose the school, but places are limited. At many schools you first have to pre-register on set dates. If the school is full, it can turn your child away.
☐ Depends: How much money can the school ask me for? Is there help with school costs? — Enrolment is free. In nursery and primary school, the school can only charge costs within set limits. If your income is low enough, you can get a school allowance (schooltoeslag / allocation d'études).
☐ Depends: Does child benefit (Groeipakket / allocations familiales) come automatically, or do I have to apply? — It depends on the region. In Flanders, the monthly amount often starts automatically. In Wallonia and Brussels, you must register with a child benefit fund (caisse) yourself.
☐ Depends: How much does childcare (kinderopvang / crèche) cost, and how do I find a place? — Childcare is not compulsory. In many childcare centres, the price depends on the family's income. Start looking early; you can contact French-language childcare centres from the 4th month of pregnancy.
☐ Depends: Can I bring a relative's child from my home country to Belgium and adopt them? — Only through the legal procedure. You must first complete the preparation and obtain a court ruling that you are 'suitable' to adopt. Obtaining an unlawful adoption by fraud, using an unrecognised intermediary and paying for a child can all be crimes.
☐ Depends: Can I educate my child at home instead of sending them to school? — Yes, but with conditions. Home education must be declared in advance every year, the government checks it and the child takes official exams at certain ages. If two checks in a row are negative or the required certificate is not obtained in time, the child must be enrolled in a school.
☐ Allowed: Does my surname change when I marry? Which surname will our child get? — Under Belgian law, marriage does not change anyone's surname. The parents choose the child's surname together: the father's, the mother's or both. Your country's records may show something different.
☐ Allowed: If my child breaks the neighbour's window, who pays? Is family liability insurance compulsory? — It is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended. As a rule, you pay for any damage your child under 16 or your dog causes to someone else. Family liability insurance usually covers this.

Do not do this (13)

Family and childrenNot allowed· Criminal Code, level 2

Is it a crime to shout at, humiliate or hit my partner or child at home?

Yes, it is a crime. The new Criminal Code (Strafwetboek / Code pénal) punishes physical violence in the family, and also psychological violence such as constant humiliation.Open the rule Family and childrenNot allowed· Criminal Code, level 3

Can I force my daughter or son to marry someone they do not want?

No. Forced marriage is a crime (level 3). Arranged introductions are allowed, but the final decision is the young person's free choice.Open the rule Family and childrenNot allowed· Criminal Code, level 2

After a divorce, can I take my child to another country without the other parent's permission?

No. Not handing a child over to the other parent, or taking a child abroad without permission, can be a crime (level 2; level 3 in aggravated cases).Open the rule Family and childrenNot allowed

We have separated. Is it an offence if I do not bring the child back after the weekend, or do not hand them over to the other parent?

Yes, it can be. Knowingly failing to follow the arrangement set by the court or in the divorce agreement is a level 2 offence (art. 681).Open the rule Family and childrenNot allowed· Criminal Code, level 2

Can I slap my child to discipline them?

No. Under the Criminal Code, violence against a child can be a criminal offence even if it leaves no mark (art. 200, level 2). The law makes no exception for a 'corrective slap'. However, a specific law that explicitly bans smacking has not been passed yet.Open the rule Nature and animalsNot allowed

Can I leave my dog in the car for a short while? What is the penalty for abandoning or hitting an animal?

Leaving an animal in a hot car where it is in danger, abandoning it and causing it unnecessary suffering are all forbidden. In all three regions, this can lead to a court penalty and a ban on keeping animals.Open the rule Digital lifeNot allowed· Criminal Code, level 3

Is it a crime to open or keep a child abuse video posted in a WhatsApp group, or to share it 'as a warning'?

Yes, it can be. Knowingly accessing child sexual abuse images is a crime (level 2); knowingly keeping or sharing them is more serious (level 3). Do not share them, even as a warning; report them to the police or Child Focus.Open the rule Digital lifeNot allowed· Criminal Code, level 3

An adult is chatting online with my child and wants to meet them. Is that a crime, and what should I do?

Yes, it can be. Proposing a meeting to a child in order to commit a sexual offence, and taking a concrete step towards it, is a crime (level 3). Keep the messages; report it to the police or Child Focus.Open the rule Criminal lawNot allowed· Criminal Code, level 1

Is it a crime to force someone to worship, to stop them from worshipping, or to disturb order in a place of worship?

Yes. Using violence or threats to force someone to take part in worship, or to stop them from doing so, is a crime (level 1). Disrupting worship, and insulting objects of worship in a place of worship or during a religious ceremony, are also crimes.Open the rule Criminal lawNot allowed· Criminal Code, level 8

What is the penalty for killing a spouse, child or other relative? Does 'honour' or tradition reduce the penalty?

Deliberately killing a close family member (such as a parent, child, brother or sister, spouse or partner) is murder within the family, for which the law prescribes life imprisonment (level 8). The law treats killing in the name of 'honour', tradition or religion as an aggravating factor, not a mitigating one.Open the rule

You must do this (12)

TrafficRequired· Traffic offence, degree 3

Is it compulsory to wear a seat belt in the back seat and to put my child in a child seat?

Yes. Everyone in the front and back must wear a seat belt. A child shorter than 1,35 m must sit in an approved child seat. Not wearing a seat belt is a 2nd-degree offence; not putting a child in a child seat is a 3rd-degree offence.Open the rule TrafficRequired· Traffic offence, degree 3

Do I have to stop at a pedestrian crossing if the pedestrian has not stepped onto the road yet?

Yes. At a pedestrian crossing, you must also give way to a pedestrian who is about to cross. Not giving way to a pedestrian is a 3rd-degree offence.Open the rule Family and childrenRequired

Can I take my child on holiday abroad before school ends because the tickets are cheaper?

No. School attendance is compulsory from age 5 to 18. A holiday outside the school holidays is an unauthorised absence. In Flanders, this can make you lose your school allowance. In serious cases, the file goes to the public prosecutor.Open the rule Family and childrenRequired

If my child under 16 breaks someone's window or hits their car, do I have to pay for the damage?

Yes. Since 1 January 2025, parents are liable without fault for damage caused by a child under 16; the defence 'I raised my child well' is not accepted.Open the rule Nature and animalsRequired

Do I have to have my cat microchipped and neutered?

Yes. Your cat must be microchipped and registered in CatID by the age of 12 weeks at the latest. Neutering is also compulsory in all three regions.Open the rule Nature and animalsRequired

Do I have to have my dog microchipped and registered?

Yes. In all three regions, your dog must be microchipped and registered in DogID by the age of 8 weeks at the latest. Selling, buying or giving away a dog without a chip is forbidden.Open the rule TrafficRequired· Traffic offence, degree 3

Baby and child car seats: which children must use one, and may a child sit in the front?

A child under 18 who is shorter than 135 cm must sit in a suitable child car seat. Children may sit in the front, but if a rear-facing baby seat is fitted in the front, the front airbag must be switched off.Open the rule Family and childrenRequired

Do I have to get my child vaccinated? Will a nursery take an unvaccinated child?

Yes, the polio vaccine is compulsory for all babies. French-speaking nurseries also require other vaccines; Dutch-speaking nurseries do not require them but recommend them.Open the rule Identity and addressRequired· Criminal Code, level 1

My child was born in Belgium. When do I have to register the birth with the municipality and with my country's consulate?

Register the birth with the municipality within 15 days. You may also need to register it with your country's consulate; ask the consulate about the deadline. If you are a recognised refugee, do not go to the consulate; ask the CGRS (CGVS / CGRA) for advice.Open the rule Family and childrenRequired

How does the school system work in French-language schools in Wallonia and Brussels? Which school does my child go to at what age?

School is compulsory from age 5 to 18. A child can start nursery school at 2½; primary school lasts 6 years and secondary school also 6 years. In 2026-2027, nursery, primary and the 1st year of secondary are part of the common core (tronc commun).Open the rule Family and childrenRequired

How does the school system work in Flanders and in Dutch-language schools in Brussels? Which school does my child go to at what age?

School is compulsory from age 5 to 18. A child can start nursery school at 2½; primary school lasts 6 years and secondary school 6 years in 3 stages. The school tests every child's Dutch; if it is not good enough, language support is mandatory.Open the rule Family and childrenRequired

We have just arrived in Belgium and my child does not speak the school language. How does my child start school, and is there support?

Every child living in Belgium has the right to education and school is compulsory. For children who do not know the school language there are reception classes: in Flanders OKAN in secondary school and, since 2026, language classes (taalheldklas) in primary school; in French-language schools DASPA.Open the rule

It depends (25)

TrafficDepends

Can my child ride an electric scooter (e-step), and can they ride on the pavement?

In traffic, your child must be at least 16, except in places such as residential and play streets. Electric scooters follow the bicycle rules: riding on the pavement in built-up areas is forbidden, you cannot carry a second person, and the maximum speed is 25 km/h.Open the rule Family and childrenDepends· Criminal Code, level 2

Can I leave my young child alone at home while I go shopping?

It depends. The law sets no fixed age; what matters is the child's age and maturity. Knowingly leaving a child who needs supervision alone, or without care, can be a crime.Open the rule Nature and animalsDepends

Can I pick chestnuts in the forest?

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.Open the rule Social rightsDepends

Will my child benefit be stopped if my child stays abroad for a long time in the summer?

A long stay abroad can affect your child benefit. Ask your payment organisation before you go; there are separate rules for education and health situations.Open the rule TrafficDepends· Traffic offence, degree 1

As a pedestrian, can I cross the road wherever I want?

Only under certain conditions. If there is a pedestrian crossing within about 20 metres, you must use it. You may not step into the road when the pedestrian light is red, and you must give way to trams.Open the rule Family and childrenDepends

Can someone under 18 get married in Belgium?

As a rule, no. The minimum age for marriage is 18. The family court can only make an exception if there are serious reasons.Open the rule Family and childrenDepends

Can I share a photo of my child or of someone else on social media? At what age can my child open an account?

It depends. To share a photo of a recognisable person outside your private circle, you need their permission. A child under 13 needs parental consent to use social media.Open the rule Family and childrenDepends

What happens if my child under 18 commits a criminal offence?

The child usually goes before the youth court. The aim is education and repairing the harm rather than punishment. But a young person aged 16 or over can be referred to an adult court for a serious offence.Open the rule Nature and animalsDepends

Do I need a permit to get a dog or cat in Wallonia?

It depends. In Wallonia, everyone automatically has a permit to keep animals. But when you get an animal from a shelter, breeder or shop, you must bring a certificate from the central register, which you get from your municipality. For cats and dogs, there is no exception, even if you get them from a private individual.Open the rule Social rightsDepends

Which number should I call in an emergency or when I need a doctor at night?

It depends on the situation: 112 for an ambulance or the fire service, 101 for urgent police help, and 1733 for the duty doctor out of hours.Open the rule Travel and customsDepends

Can I bring honey, fish, eggs or baby food from a country outside the EU?

Yes, in limited quantities. You can bring up to 20 kg of fish, and up to 2 kg in total of products such as honey and eggs. Meat and dairy products are banned.Open the rule Nature and animalsDepends

Which animals can I keep at home? Can I have a monkey, a squirrel or a snake?

It depends. The only mammals you may keep without a permit are those on the official "positive list". For a species that is not on the list, you need separate approval from the region.Open the rule TrafficDepends· Traffic offence, degree 1

Is there a licence, helmet or age requirement for an electric bicycle?

Not for an ordinary electric bicycle (at most 250 W, with assistance cutting out at 25 km/h); it counts as a normal bicycle. For a motorised bicycle with a motor of up to 1 kW, you must be at least 16.Open the rule TrafficDepends· Traffic offence, degree 1

How can I carry my child on a bicycle: a seat, a trailer, a cargo bike?

You can, but only in a suitable seat or trailer. Without a seat and footrests, a passenger may not sit on the rack. A bicycle trailer can carry at most 2 people.Open the rule TrafficDepends

Do I need a licence, a number plate and insurance to ride a moped (scooter)?

Under certain conditions. You do not need a licence for a class A moped (at most 25 km/h); for a class B moped (45 km/h) you need an AM licence. Both need a number plate and insurance.Open the rule TrafficDepends· Traffic offence, degree 3

Can I take a passenger or a child on the back of my motorbike or moped?

Under certain conditions. The passenger must have a seat and keep their feet on the footrests. Children under 3 may not be carried at all, and children under 8 may not be carried on a motorbike over 125 cc.Open the rule Family and childrenDepends

How can I get divorced in Belgium? Can I divorce even if my spouse does not want to?

Yes, there are two routes: by mutual consent, or by showing that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. Even if your spouse does not want a divorce, you can apply on your own if you have lived apart for more than 1 year.Open the rule Family and childrenDepends

Can I leave my estate to whoever I want? What share do my children and my spouse get?

Partly. If you have children, half of your estate is always reserved for them; you can leave the other half by will to whoever you want. Your spouse also has rights protected by law.Open the rule Travel and customsDepends

I am going on holiday abroad; if I get ill there, is my Belgian health insurance valid?

Partly. The European Health Insurance Card is only valid in EU countries and a few other European countries. If you are going to a country that has a social security agreement with Belgium, ask your health insurance fund (ziekenfonds / mutualité) for a form for that country. For other countries, check your travel insurance.Open the rule Family and childrenDepends

How do I enrol my child in school? Can the school turn my child away?

You choose the school, but places are limited. At many schools you first have to pre-register on set dates. If the school is full, it can turn your child away.Open the rule Family and childrenDepends

How much money can the school ask me for? Is there help with school costs?

Enrolment is free. In nursery and primary school, the school can only charge costs within set limits. If your income is low enough, you can get a school allowance (schooltoeslag / allocation d'études).Open the rule Family and childrenDepends

Does child benefit (Groeipakket / allocations familiales) come automatically, or do I have to apply?

It depends on the region. In Flanders, the monthly amount often starts automatically. In Wallonia and Brussels, you must register with a child benefit fund (caisse) yourself.Open the rule Family and childrenDepends

How much does childcare (kinderopvang / crèche) cost, and how do I find a place?

Childcare is not compulsory. In many childcare centres, the price depends on the family's income. Start looking early; you can contact French-language childcare centres from the 4th month of pregnancy.Open the rule Family and childrenDepends· Criminal Code, level 3

Can I bring a relative's child from my home country to Belgium and adopt them?

Only through the legal procedure. You must first complete the preparation and obtain a court ruling that you are 'suitable' to adopt. Obtaining an unlawful adoption by fraud, using an unrecognised intermediary and paying for a child can all be crimes.Open the rule Family and childrenDepends

Can I educate my child at home instead of sending them to school?

Yes, but with conditions. Home education must be declared in advance every year, the government checks it and the child takes official exams at certain ages. If two checks in a row are negative or the required certificate is not obtained in time, the child must be enrolled in a school.Open the rule

Allowed (2)

Family and childrenAllowed

Does my surname change when I marry? Which surname will our child get?

Under Belgian law, marriage does not change anyone's surname. The parents choose the child's surname together: the father's, the mother's or both. Your country's records may show something different.Open the rule Work and moneyAllowed

If my child breaks the neighbour's window, who pays? Is family liability insurance compulsory?

It is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended. As a rule, you pay for any damage your child under 16 or your dog causes to someone else. Family liability insurance usually covers this.Open the rule

Do not do this (13)

Is it a crime to shout at, humiliate or hit my partner or child at home?

Can I force my daughter or son to marry someone they do not want?

After a divorce, can I take my child to another country without the other parent's permission?

Can I give my 15-year-old child a beer or a cigarette at home, with the family?

What happens if I don't pay the maintenance set by the court?

Can I use my phone or ride without lights on my bike?

We have separated. Is it an offence if I do not bring the child back after the weekend, or do not hand them over to the other parent?

Can I slap my child to discipline them?

Can I leave my dog in the car for a short while? What is the penalty for abandoning or hitting an animal?

Is it a crime to open or keep a child abuse video posted in a WhatsApp group, or to share it 'as a warning'?

An adult is chatting online with my child and wants to meet them. Is that a crime, and what should I do?

Is it a crime to force someone to worship, to stop them from worshipping, or to disturb order in a place of worship?

What is the penalty for killing a spouse, child or other relative? Does 'honour' or tradition reduce the penalty?

You must do this (12)

Is it compulsory to wear a seat belt in the back seat and to put my child in a child seat?

Do I have to stop at a pedestrian crossing if the pedestrian has not stepped onto the road yet?

Can I take my child on holiday abroad before school ends because the tickets are cheaper?

If my child under 16 breaks someone's window or hits their car, do I have to pay for the damage?

Do I have to have my cat microchipped and neutered?

Do I have to have my dog microchipped and registered?

Baby and child car seats: which children must use one, and may a child sit in the front?

Do I have to get my child vaccinated? Will a nursery take an unvaccinated child?

My child was born in Belgium. When do I have to register the birth with the municipality and with my country's consulate?

How does the school system work in French-language schools in Wallonia and Brussels? Which school does my child go to at what age?

How does the school system work in Flanders and in Dutch-language schools in Brussels? Which school does my child go to at what age?

We have just arrived in Belgium and my child does not speak the school language. How does my child start school, and is there support?

It depends (25)

Can my child ride an electric scooter (e-step), and can they ride on the pavement?

Can I leave my young child alone at home while I go shopping?

Can I pick chestnuts in the forest?

Will my child benefit be stopped if my child stays abroad for a long time in the summer?

As a pedestrian, can I cross the road wherever I want?

Can someone under 18 get married in Belgium?

Can I share a photo of my child or of someone else on social media? At what age can my child open an account?

What happens if my child under 18 commits a criminal offence?

Do I need a permit to get a dog or cat in Wallonia?

Which number should I call in an emergency or when I need a doctor at night?

Can I bring honey, fish, eggs or baby food from a country outside the EU?

Which animals can I keep at home? Can I have a monkey, a squirrel or a snake?

Is there a licence, helmet or age requirement for an electric bicycle?

How can I carry my child on a bicycle: a seat, a trailer, a cargo bike?

Do I need a licence, a number plate and insurance to ride a moped (scooter)?

Can I take a passenger or a child on the back of my motorbike or moped?

How can I get divorced in Belgium? Can I divorce even if my spouse does not want to?

Can I leave my estate to whoever I want? What share do my children and my spouse get?

I am going on holiday abroad; if I get ill there, is my Belgian health insurance valid?

How do I enrol my child in school? Can the school turn my child away?

How much money can the school ask me for? Is there help with school costs?

Does child benefit (Groeipakket / allocations familiales) come automatically, or do I have to apply?

How much does childcare (kinderopvang / crèche) cost, and how do I find a place?

Can I bring a relative's child from my home country to Belgium and adopt them?

Can I educate my child at home instead of sending them to school?

Allowed (2)

Does my surname change when I marry? Which surname will our child get?

If my child breaks the neighbour's window, who pays? Is family liability insurance compulsory?