The family
in Belgium.
Becoming a parent, getting married, legally cohabitating: as many steps that trigger rights and obligations very specific to the region where you live. Here is the overview.
Family allowances
Since the 6th State Reform (2014), family allowances are a regional competency. Each region has its own system, its own amounts and its own body — there is no longer a single "federal" allowance.
The principle remains the same everywhere: each child opens a right to a monthly allowance, plus supplements based on age, rank in the siblings, family situation and sometimes income. But amounts and modalities differ significantly from one region to another.
Iriscare
System with fixed amounts per child + social supplements based on income. Born from a merger of former Brussels funds.
FAMIWAL / OAF
Public funds (FAMIWAL) and private funds coexist. Fixed amounts per child + annual flat-rate supplement in August for the school year.
Groeipakket
Integrated system that brings together birth allowance, monthly allowances, school grants and participation aids. The most complete regional system.
Major life events
Marriage
Strong fiscal and patrimonial solidarity. Protection of the surviving spouse. Possibility of marriage contract to choose the matrimonial regime.
Legal cohabitation
Intermediate status. Patrimonial consequences registered with the municipality. Lighter fiscal solidarity than marriage.
De facto cohabitation
Simple cohabitation without recognition. No automatic protection for the surviving partner. Important to anticipate via will.
Birth
Recognition with the municipality, opening of family allowance, tax adjustment, mutuality, childcare... many automatic and non-automatic steps.
Childcare
Regionally regulated daycare centers. Waiting lists often long in cities — early registration recommended. Rates often indexed on income.
Parental leaves
Maternity, paternity, parental, time credit. Federal system but with possible regional supplements based on status.