Yes, beekeeping is legal in Belgium, but subject to regional and municipal regulations under the 2026 EU Biodiversity Strategy alignment. Authorizations may be required for hive placement, disease control, or protected species proximity, with enforcement by the Federal Agency for Food Chain Safety (FAVV) and regional authorities.
Key Regulations for Keeping Bees in Belgium
- Hive Registration: Mandatory notification to the FAVV via the Sanitel database within 30 days of hive establishment, including location and colony count. Failure to register risks fines up to €2,500 under the 2023 Royal Decree on Animal Health.
- Disease Control: Strict adherence to the Royal Decree of 2013 on Contagious Animal Diseases requires reporting of Varroa destructor infestations or foulbrood. Apiaries within 3 km of infected zones face quarantine measures enforced by the Walloon or Flemish agricultural agencies.
- Protected Zones: In Flanders, hives within 500 meters of Natura 2000 sites require prior environmental impact assessments under the 2024 Flemish Nature Decree. Brussels-Capital imposes additional restrictions near urban green belts via the 2025 Ordonnance sur la Biodiversité.
Local municipalities may impose supplementary rules, such as hive height limits (e.g., max 2 meters in Wallonia) or buffer zones near residential areas. Cross-border movement of colonies requires FAVV-issued health certificates under EU Regulation 2016/429.