Marriage

Formalities and conditions, matrimonial property regimes
Your wedding is a big day that you probably prepare months in advance. But it is also important to realise that marriage in Belgium is governed by a number of strict conditions regulated by law. Among other things, the spouses must be at least 18 years of age and must be consenting. They must not be related either. Prospective brides and grooms need to follow a number of formalities too.

Comprehensive legal information on marriage (FR/NL) is published in the Family section on www.belgium.be.

Matrimonial property regimes

There are several matrimonial property regimes to choose from depending on your situation and your future spouse’s situation ranging from communal to separate estate. You may be employed or self-employed, you may have a personal fortune, you may have been married before and you may have children from a previous marriage. A notary can give you information on the various matrimonial property regimes (FR/NL) and help identify the one that suits your situation best. For comprehensive information about notaries in Belgium, see www.notaire.be (FR/NL).

Marriage contracts – do you need one?

In a marriage contract the future spouses set down the property regime applicable to their marriage. If they do not sign a marriage contract, the applicable legal regime is the one in which only property acquired during the marriage is considered to be part of the communal estate. If you would like to draw up a marriage contract, you should contact a notary. The contract must be signed by both parties in the notary’s presence.

  • You should contact the General Registrar’s Office (Service de l'Etat civil) in your commune about the administrative formalities that go with getting married.
  • You can ask for a marriage certificate to the commune of your marriage via IRISbox, the online service desk of the administrations of the Brussels-Capital Region.
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