Airbnb regulations in Knokke-Heist in 2026
Logiesdecreet, local taxes, fire safety certificate, sanctions: the complete guide to renting compliantly in Knokke-Heist.
Page contents
The essentials in 30 seconds
3 legal obligations
- Verify the urban planning zone via the geoloket stedenbouw
- Obtain the fire safety certificate (ACEG vzw)
- Register with Toerisme Vlaanderen
3 local taxes
- Logiesbelasting: minimum 1,000 € per year
- Second residence tax: 990 € in 2026
- Hotel VAT: 12% since March 2026
3 risks in case of non-compliance
- Administrative fine up to 25,000 €
- Closure of the property and removal of listings
- Retroactive recovery of unreported taxes
1. The Logiesdecreet: the mandatory Flemish framework
Since 2017, every tourist accommodation in Flanders — including in Knokke-Heist — 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. Is your property in an authorised zone?
Knokke-Heist tightened its urban planning rules in 2024-2025 to limit rental pressure. Not all parcels allow short-term rental:
- Strict residential zones (woonzones): short-term rental generally prohibited.
- Dorpskernen (village cores): strong restrictions, authorisation case by case.
- Tourist coastal zones and mixed zones: generally allowed under conditions.
To verify your parcel:
- Consult the geoloket stedenbouw of the Province of West Flanders.
- Cross-check with the beslissingsboom published by the municipality of Knokke-Heist.
- In case of doubt, make an appointment with the Stedenbouw service of Knokke-Heist before any rental.
Vérification de zone gratuite
Indiquez l'adresse de votre bien et nous vérifions sous 24 h si la location courte durée est autorisée à Knokke-Heist, le tout sans engagement.
3. The three local taxes and tax regimes
1,000 €+ /year
Logiesbelasting
Municipal tax on tourist accommodations, minimum 1,000 € per property per year in Knokke-Heist.
990 € /year
Second residence tax
2026 rate for properties not mainly occupied by the owner.
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.
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 beslissingsboom. 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 Knokke-Heist: logiesbelasting + second residence tax.
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 in Knokke-Heist since 2024. Sanctions are cumulative:
- Administrative fine from 250 € to 25,000 € per infraction
- Immediate removal of listings (Airbnb / Booking notified by the municipality)
- Retroactive recovery of unreported taxes (up to 5 years back)
- Registration in the register of offenders — impact on future applications
Frequently asked questions
Is my property in Knokke-Heist 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. You remain the owner, we take care of the rest.
Sources: Logiesdecreet (Vlaamse Codex), municipality of Knokke-Heist (Stedenbouw and Taxation services), 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.