No, owning a raccoon in Belgium is prohibited under the 2023 Royal Decree on Exotic Pets, which classifies Procyon lotor as an invasive species. The Flemish Region enforces this via the Vlaamse Codex Natuur, while Wallonia and Brussels apply the federal ban under the 2026 Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon and Ordonnance bruxelloise, respectively.
Key Regulations for Owning a Raccoon in Belgium
- Invasive Species Prohibition: Raccoons are listed in Annex II of the EU Invasive Alien Species Regulation (1143/2014), barring private ownership across all regions.
- Permit Exceptions: Only licensed zoos, research institutions, or wildlife rehabilitation centers may hold raccoons, subject to approval from the Flemish Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB), Walloon Department of Nature and Forests (DNF), or Bruxelles Environnement (IBGE).
- Penalties: Violations incur fines up to €10,000 under Flemish law or €50,000 federally, with mandatory confiscation and euthanasia of the animal.
Local authorities conduct periodic inspections to curb illegal trade, particularly in Antwerp and Liège, where smuggling networks have been dismantled. The 2026 enforcement phase introduces stricter DNA tracking for exotic pets, further complicating any loophole attempts.