Do you really need a fire safety certificate for an Airbnb in Flanders?
Yes, and the rule is broad. Under the Logiesdecreet (decree of 5 February 2016, in force since 1 April 2017), any tourist accommodation offered to the public for payment falls under Flemish regulations. That includes renting out a flat on Airbnb, even as a side income. As soon as you make accommodation known to the public, you are concerned.
The operator must be able to produce a positive fire safety certificate. It confirms that the property meets the fire safety standards specific to tourist accommodation: rooms, access routes, indoor and outdoor staircases, technical rooms, electrical installations, lighting and heating. Federal basic standards form the foundation, completed by the Flemish rules that apply to tourist accommodation.
What are the four types of certificate (A, Abis, B, C)?
The regulations provide for four types, but they are not on the same footing. Operating rests on an A certificate, completed where relevant by an Abis. The temporary B exists only for certain accommodation (Decision of 17 March 2017, art. 3 and 8).
| Type | Status | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| A | Positive | The property complies. Green light, you may operate. It is the basis of any operation. |
| Abis | Simplified | Completes an A after works or an extension: validates the modified part. Does not replace the A. |
| B | Temporary | Reserved for annexes 2/1, 3 and 4, issued by the mayor on a phased plan. Does not exist under annex 2: ACEG issues A, Abis or C (art. 8 and 10). |
| C | Negative | Not compliant. Renting out is prohibited until a new A (or a B, outside annex 2). |
Who issues the certificate: the municipality, the fire service or ACEG vzw?
It depends on the size and type of the accommodation.
- Small room-based accommodation (annex 2): up to 3 rental units and a maximum of 9 sleeping places, or a single unit with 10 to 12 sleeping places that is not part of a larger building complex. The designated body ACEG vzw carries out the inspection and issues the certificate. The designated body has changed: Vinçotte's collaboration with Toerisme Vlaanderen ended on 28 September 2025 (source: vincotte.be, Brandaudit toeristische logies page, see Sources). Always check the current body on the Toerisme Vlaanderen website before applying.
- Larger accommodation or accommodation tied to a site (annexes 2/1, 3, 4): the application goes through the municipal mayor, or an online desk of the emergency zone. The fire service (brandweer) carries out the on-site inspection.
Count your sleeping places before choosing your desk. Toerisme Vlaanderen defines sleeping places (slaapplaatsen) as the total number of people who can spend the night in the accommodation (Brandveiligheid in logies page). A family flat with 10 to 12 sleeping places located in an apartment building falls under annex 2/1, and therefore goes to the mayor and the emergency zone, not to ACEG.
How long is the certificate valid?
The duration depends on the type of certificate you hold.
| Type | Period of validity |
|---|---|
| A | Eight years from the date of issue (art. 6 §1). |
| Abis | The remaining validity of the A certificate it completes (art. 7). |
| B | One year, renewable, without exceeding eight years in total (art. 8). |
| C | Not applicable: operating is prohibited. |
Be aware that validity can lapse before its term. Significant works call it into question, in particular an increase in the number of rental units or sleeping places: the inspected property is then no longer the one that was certified. If in doubt, have the exact validity of your certificate confirmed by the inspection body or by your municipality.
What other obligations apply before renting out?
The fire safety certificate is only one part of the file. Before renting out, you must also:
- Register your accommodation (aanmelding) with Toerisme Vlaanderen through the operator portal. This declaration is mandatory for everyone, professionals and private individuals alike. The details are in our guide Logiesdecreet 2026 for owners on the coast.
- Take out fire insurance and public liability insurance covering the property and its operation.
- Meet the minimum comfort and quality standards, and not rent by the hour (at least one night).
Where a standard cannot be met, a derogation procedure exists before the Technical Commission for Fire Safety of tourist accommodation.
How does HOSTEA handle fire safety compliance on the Belgian coast?
HOSTEA is a short-term rental management company operating on the Belgian coast, from De Panne to Knokke. For owners under a management mandate, Logiesdecreet compliance is part of the service: registration, fire safety certificate file, coordination with the inspection body or the emergency zone, evacuation plan and signage.
HOSTEA Conform': compliance without handing over management
Many owners manage their property themselves and need only one thing: to get their property ready for the inspection. That is exactly what HOSTEA Conform'is for, a fire safety compliance service that can be ordered on its own, without a management mandate.
It runs in two stages: the audit first, then, on quotation, the compliance work and the inspection:
- The property audit, first service, ordered on its own: a survey of the gaps against the standards applicable to your type of property and its capacity.
- ISO 7010 signage: standardised pictograms, placed where they belong.
- The evacuation plan, drawn up and displayed as required for the inspection.
- The equipment: Benor extinguisher and detectors, supplied and installed.
- The inspection appointment: file preparation and attendance on site on the day of the ACEG visit.
Signage, equipment and attendance at the inspection are priced after the audit, based on the survey. You receive that quote before committing to anything. If the audit reveals a major gap, works to be entrusted to a contractor for instance, you know before ordering the rest, not after.
An honest word: if you rent out only a few nights a year, handing over full management does not always make sense. Compliance, however, remains mandatory in every case. We will tell you straight.
Please note. This article is informative and dated. Regulations change and your situation depends on the type and capacity of your accommodation. Have your case confirmed by Toerisme Vlaanderen, ACEG vzw or your emergency zone before making any binding decision.
Frequently asked questions
Does an Airbnb rented out as a side income fall under the rules?
What is the risk of not having a certificate?
Is the certificate enough to rent out legally?
Can I use HOSTEA only for compliance?
Where can I find the official forms?
Does your property need to be brought up to standard? Request a HOSTEA Conform' quote.
Book a callWould you also like to hand over full management? Let us discuss it at the same appointment.
Further reading
Sources
- Toerisme Vlaanderen, Brandveiligheid in logies : https://toerismevlaanderen.be/nl/logies/brandveiligheidsnormen
- Toerisme Vlaanderen, Basisnormen van het Logiesdecreet : https://toerismevlaanderen.be/nl/logies/basisnormen
- Codex Vlaanderen, Besluit specifieke brandveiligheidsnormen toeristische logies : https://codex.vlaanderen.be/PrintDocument.ashx?id=1028166
- Logiesdecreet (5 februari 2016), Codex Vlaanderen : https://codex.vlaanderen.be/PrintDocument.ashx?id=1026527
- Vinçotte, Brandaudit toeristische logies (end of the collaboration with Toerisme Vlaanderen on 28 September 2025) : https://www.vincotte.be/fr/brandaudit-toeristische-logies