Airbnb regulations in Blankenberge in 2026
Logiesdecreet, local taxes, fire safety certificate, sanctions: the complete guide to renting compliantly in Blankenberge.
Page contents
The essentials in 30 seconds
3 legal obligations
- Verify the urban planning zone of the parcel
- Obtain the fire safety certificate
- Register with Toerisme Vlaanderen
3 main taxes
- Logiesbelasting (tourist tax)
- Second residence tax
- Hotel VAT: 12% since March 2026
3 risks in case of non-compliance
- Fine up to 25,000 €
- Closure of the property
- Retroactive recovery of taxes
1. The Logiesdecreet: the mandatory Flemish framework
Since 2017, every tourist accommodation in Flanders — including in Blankenberge — must be registered with Toerisme Vlaanderen. There are three regimes depending on your situation:
| Regime | Who is concerned | Obligations |
|---|---|---|
| Registratie | Classic tourist accommodations (up to 32 people) | Registration + fire safety certificate + meldingsplicht |
| Aanmelding | Occasional rental (max 60 days per year) | Simplified declaration via the Toerisme portal |
| Erkenning | Classified accommodations (hotels, labelled guesthouses) | Full application + Toerisme Vlaanderen quality audit |
Good to know: the same rule applies to Belgian and foreign owners, whether you rent through Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo or your own website.
2. Spécificités de Blankenberge
Blankenberge introduced a new tiered-capacity logiesbelasting from 2026. The pass-through to travellers is capped at 2.50 € per person per night. The tax aims to protect housing supply for permanent residents.
Vérification de zone gratuite
Indiquez l'adresse de votre bien et nous vérifions sous 24 h si la location courte durée est autorisée à Blankenberge, le tout sans engagement.
3. Les taxes applicables à Blankenberge
650 - 1,250 €
Logiesbelasting
650 €/year (1-6 people), 1,000 €/year (7-12 people), 1,250 €/year (+12 people).
~1,100 €
Second residence tax
About 1,100 €/year (exact 2026 rate to be confirmed).
12%
Hotel VAT
Applicable since March 2026 on nights billed with hotel services (cleaning, reception).
On the tax side: rental income is taxable as a private individual or via a private limited company depending on your structure. The choice depends on volume, number of properties and your wealth situation — a short-term rental specialist accountant is essential.
4. The fire safety certificate (brandveiligheidsattest)
This is the most complex document to obtain. Without it, no registration with Toerisme Vlaanderen is possible in Blankenberge.
ACEG vzw (approved private body) or the Brugge fire brigade zone, depending on the case.
4 to 12 weeks for accommodation that is already compliant. Longer if works are needed.
- ~500 €ACEG vzw inspection (if the accommodation is already technically compliant)
- 0 to 5,000 €+Compliance works if needed (fire doors, emergency lighting, detection)
- 28.26 € excl. VATACEG vzw re-inspection (only if discrepancies were found at the first inspection)
Smoke detectors, extinguishers, emergency lighting, EI30 fire doors, evacuation routes, etc. (Bijlage 2 of the Logiesdecreet)
The complete procedure in 5 steps
Urban planning verification
Consult the geoloket stedenbouw and the municipal regulation of Blankenberge. Confirm that the parcel allows tourist rental.
Fire safety certificate application
Compile the file (plans, photos, equipment), apply to ACEG vzw, carry out works if necessary.
Toerisme Vlaanderen registration
Submit the complete file with the fire safety certificate via the regional portal. Response within 60 days.
Municipal tax declarations
Declare the accommodation with the taxation service of Blankenberge.
Going live and operation
Creation of Airbnb, Booking and Vrbo listings with mention of the Toerisme number. Mandatory traveller registers.
Sanctions for non-compliance
Inspections have intensified along the entire Belgian coast since 2024. Sanctions are cumulative:
- Administrative fine from 250 € to 25,000 € per infraction
- Immediate removal of listings
- Retroactive recovery of taxes (up to 5 years)
- Registration in the register of offenders
Frequently asked questions
Is my property in Blankenberge in a zone authorised for short-term rental?
How long to obtain the fire safety certificate?
What is the total cost to bring a studio into compliance?
Is the second residence tax due if I rent year-round?
Should I charge VAT on my nights?
Should I delegate management to a concierge service?
HOSTEA takes care of all the compliance
Urban planning verification, fire safety certificate, registrations, tax declarations, complete management of your rental in Blankenberge. You remain the owner, we take care of the rest.
Sources: Logiesdecreet (Vlaamse Codex), municipality of Blankenberge, Toerisme Vlaanderen, ACEG vzw, FPS Finance. Last updated: May 2026.
This page is provided for information purposes. Regulations evolve and each situation is specific: a personalised HOSTEA audit remains essential before any rental.
Other municipalities of the Belgian coast
Consult the regulatory guides for the 8 other municipalities or return to the general overview page.