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Legal Ages in Belgium

The age you become an adult in Belgium, and the legal ages for voting, driving, drinking alcohol and marriage, with the exceptions that matter.

Age of majority 18 Voting age 18 / 16 Driving age 18 Drinking age 16 / 18 Marriage age 18

Age of majority in Belgium

18

You are an adult at 18.

Voting age in Belgium

18 / 16

Voting is compulsory from 18 in federal elections. 16- and 17-year-olds can vote in European Parliament elections.

Driving age in Belgium

18

You can drive with a learner’s licence from 17 and get a full car licence at 18.

Drinking age in Belgium

16 / 18

You can buy beer and wine at 16, and spirits at 18.

Marriage age in Belgium

18

The minimum age is 18. A family court can allow a younger person to marry for serious reasons.

Checked 22 October 2026 against national laws and government sites. Laws change and this is a summary, not legal advice; check with the authority that applies to you.

Age calculator

Your exact age today, and the date you turn 16, 18 or 21.

Emergency numbers in Belgium

Police, ambulance and fire numbers, plus helplines.

Belgian public holidays 2026

Every holiday with its date and long weekends.

Legal ages in Belgium: questions and answers

At what age are you an adult in Belgium?

You are an adult at 18.

What is the voting age in Belgium?

Voting is compulsory from 18 in federal elections. 16- and 17-year-olds can vote in European Parliament elections.

What is the legal driving age in Belgium?

You can drive with a learner’s licence from 17 and get a full car licence at 18.

What is the legal drinking age in Belgium?

You can buy beer and wine at 16, and spirits at 18.

What is the legal age for marriage in Belgium?

The minimum age is 18. A family court can allow a younger person to marry for serious reasons.

Legal ages in other countries