Property
Belgium — Property: Legal Checks
In Belgium the sale agreement binds both sides, and the purchase must be completed by an authentic deed from a notary within four months.
VerifiedGovernment / official sourceBelgium.be / Royal Federation of Notaries — sale agreement and notarised deedLast reviewed: 2026-10-23
Key facts
- Once both parties sign the compromis the sale is final; drafting it with a notary usually costs nothing extra.
- A deposit is customary: 10% of the price (5% or 10% per notary sources), paid to the notary or estate agent and never directly to the seller.
- The purchase can only be made by an authentic instrument and the deed must be signed within four months of the sale agreement.
- Buyers pay transfer tax, regulated notary fees and deed costs; one brochure puts the total at about 15% on top of the price while Brussels registration alone is 12.5%.
- Outside the EU, a Belgian consulate can execute the deed from a draft by a Belgian notary, and an authentic digital power of attorney avoids travel.
Steps
- Verify Ownership and Title — It is unclear which specific steps or authorities are involved in verifying ownership and title in Belgium. Relocating individuals are advised to consult official sources or a local expert.
- Search the Cadastre — A search of the Belgian cadastre may be required to confirm property boundaries and ownership. Details of this process are uncertain.