Marriage and other relationships
In Belgium, marriage is a free choice, you decide whether you want to marry and with whom. In our country, people of the same sex can also marry each other. Both partners must be at least 18 years old.
Marriage in Belgium
- Marriage is a free choice. In Belgium, you can get married with the partner that you choose yourself. Forced marriage – when one or both partners are forced into marriage against their will - is illegal.
- Both partners must be at least 18 years old to be able to marry.
- Men and women can get married, but two women can also get married with each other, or two men.
- You cannot always get married if your partner is family. You cannot get married with your brother or sister, cousin, uncle or aunt.
- When one of the partners marries with the sole aim of obtaining right of residence, and not to live with the partner, this is a sham marriage. The official of the municipality can refuse a marriage if they believe it is a sham marriage.
- Marriage is only official if you marry before the law (a civil marriage). Marriages are performed in the municipal hall. You are not obliged to have a religious marriage, but you can if you want.
marriage before the law
Co-habitation
Men and women can live together in Belgium, and have a home and children, without getting married. It is possible to conclude a contract so that the partners have the same rights before the law as people who get married. This contract is a cohabitation contract.
Relationships in Belgium
- In Belgium, fewer and fewer people are getting married.
- Belgians are having fewer children than in the past. This is often a free choice.
- Some couples separate (divorce) and live separately with their children.
- If one parent with children (a single-parent family) starts living together with another parent and their children, they form a newly composed family.