What's new

1. September 1, 2026Changed

   Declaration of surveillance cameras · Camera surveillance sign · Register of image processing

   The camera law of 21 March 2007 was amended by the law of 13 May 2026, in force since 1 September 2026; among other things, the fines changed. We are still reading the new text. The declaration, the pictogram and the register are still required.

   Rules: Declaration of surveillance cameras (Wet 21 maart 2007 tot regeling van de plaatsing en het gebruik van bewakingscamera's) · Camera surveillance sign (Wet 21 maart 2007 tot regeling van de plaatsing en het gebruik van bewakingscamera's) · Register of image processing (Wet 21 maart 2007 tot regeling van de plaatsing en het gebruik van bewakingscamera's)

2. August 14, 2026New

   Withdrawal button in the web shop

   Since 14 August 2026, anyone selling online to consumers must offer a withdrawal function: a clearly visible 'withdraw from the contract here' function, a confirmation button and an acknowledgement of receipt (CEL art. VI.61/2).

   Rules: Withdrawal button in the web shop (WER art. VI.61/2)

3. August 2, 2026Date

   Chatbot recognisable as a chatbot

   Since 2 August 2026, Article 50 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 applies: people talking to a chatbot must know they are not communicating with a human. The duty lies with the provider; if you use a chatbot, check that this notice is there.

   Rules: Chatbot recognisable as a chatbot (Verordening (EU) 2024/1689 (AI-verordening), art. 50)

4. July 1, 2026Date

   Registered cash register system (GKS/SCE)

   Since 1 July 2026, the renewed registered cash register system (GKS 2.0) is mandatory for anyone earning more than 25,000 euro a year from meals and catering (drinks excluded) per establishment; existing systems switch over in phases. Ask your cash register supplier whether yours has been converted.

   Rules: Registered cash register system (GKS/SCE) (KB nr. 1 (btw), art. 21bis)

5. March 31, 2026Date

   E-invoicing via Peppol

   The general tolerance period for e-invoicing through Peppol ended on 31 March 2026. Invoices between Belgian VAT-registered businesses must be structured e-invoices; the fines are set in the Royal Decree of 8 July 2025.

   Rules: E-invoicing via Peppol (WBTW art. 53, § 2bis; wet 6 februari 2024)

6. January 1, 2026New

   E-invoicing via Peppol

   Since 1 January 2026, Belgian VAT-registered businesses must send and receive structured electronic invoices to and from each other through Peppol (art. 53, § 2bis VAT Code), also under the small-business exemption. A PDF by e-mail is no longer enough.

   Rules: E-invoicing via Peppol (WBTW art. 53, § 2bis; wet 6 februari 2024)

7. July 20, 2025Changed

   Remove the outdated ODR platform link

   The European ODR platform for online disputes has been abolished: Regulation (EU) 2024/3228 repealed the mandatory link with effect from 20 July 2025. Remove the link and the text about it from your website and your terms.

   Rules: Remove the outdated ODR platform link (Verordening (EU) 2024/3228)

8. June 28, 2025Date

   Accessible web shop (European Accessibility Act) · Accessible web shop, even for a small business

   Since 28 June 2025, web shops for consumers must meet the accessibility requirements of the European Accessibility Act (CEL art. VIII.58 to VIII.61). A separate arrangement applies to micro-enterprises.

   Rules: Accessible web shop (European Accessibility Act) (WER art. VIII.58 tot VIII.61) · Accessible web shop, even for a small business (WER art. I.9/1, 5° (micro-onderneming), VIII.59, § 2 en XV.18/5, § 3)

9. January 10, 2022Changed

   Consent before non-essential cookies

   Art. 129 of the electronic communications law was repealed on 10 January 2022; the cookie rule is now in art. 10/2 of the law of 30 July 2018. What it asks, consent before non-essential cookies, stayed the same.

   Rules: Consent before non-essential cookies (Wet 30 juli 2018 (bescherming persoonsgegevens), art. 10/2)

General information, not legal advice. Have important points checked by your accountant or lawyer.