Contesting a Parking Ticket in Belgium: Practical Guide

Before contesting, know what you're dealing with.

Parking fee (municipal tax): it's not a fine but a flat-rate tax for non-payment or exceeded parking time. Amount varies by municipality (€15 to €35 generally). It's issued by municipal agents or parking companies.

Criminal parking ticket: issued by police for serious violations (parking on sidewalk, bus lane, disabled spot without badge, dangerous parking). This one goes through justice system with heavier fines.

The distinction matters because procedures differ. The parking fee is contested before the municipality. The criminal ticket is contested before the prosecutor then potentially the court.

In practice: the vast majority of tickets for 'simple' parking are municipal fees, not criminal fines.

Not all situations warrant contestation. Here are grounds that can succeed:

Deficient signage: sign hidden by vegetation, contradictory signs, illegible road markings. Take photos as evidence.

Machine or app malfunction: parking meter out of order, app crashed while paying. Keep payment attempt screenshot, note the date and time.

Medical emergency: you had to stop urgently for health reasons. Medical certificate or hospital receipt supports your claim.

Reported vehicle theft: if your car was stolen when the ticket was issued, the theft report proves you weren't driving.

Formal error: wrong plate number, incorrect date/time, unsigned ticket. These defects can void the document.

Delayed moving: your time had expired by a few minutes. Not a strong ground, but some municipalities show goodwill on first offense.

For municipal parking fees: The municipality must send the payment request within 6 months of the offense. You then usually have 30 days to pay or contest. After this deadline, penalty fees apply.

For criminal parking tickets: You receive an 'immediate perception' proposal – pay and it ends there. If you refuse, you have 15 days to indicate your intention to contest. The case then goes to the prosecutor.

In both cases: keep all documents, note the deadline dates, send contestation by registered mail with acknowledgment. An email alone isn't enough.

Common mistake: letting the deadline pass thinking 'it'll sort itself out'. Unpaid parking fees are recovered by tax authorities with significant penalty surcharges.

An effective letter is factual, concise and documented.

Structure:

1. Your identification (name, address, plate number)
2. Ticket references (number, date, time, location)
3. Statement of facts: what happened, from your perspective
4. Your arguments: why you believe the ticket is unjustified
5. Your evidence: photos, receipts, certificates
6. Your request: cancellation or fine reduction

Tone: stay courteous and factual. Avoid 'I refuse to pay this unjust ticket' style. Prefer 'I wish to bring to your attention the following elements...'

Language: in Belgium, you can write in French, Dutch or German depending on the region. In Brussels, both French and Dutch are accepted.

Always keep a copy of your letter and sending proof.

For municipal parking fees: The municipality examines your request. Three possible responses: • Full acceptance: the fee is cancelled • Partial acceptance: reduced amount • Rejection: you must pay or take legal action

Against rejection, you can file a complaint with the Council of State (administrative jurisdiction) but this is rarely worth it for small amounts.

For criminal tickets: The prosecutor decides whether to prosecute. If so, you're summoned to police court. There, you can be assisted by a lawyer. The judge renders a verdict: acquittal, fine, or increased fine.

Timeline: expect 2 to 6 months for a response. Some municipalities are overwhelmed and take longer. Pending contestation, payment is usually suspended, but this varies by locality.

Disability parking: If you have a disability badge but forgot to display it, you can contest by proving valid badge ownership. Most municipalities accept this with a warning.

Rental vehicle: Tickets follow the vehicle, not the driver. The rental company will pass the ticket on to you with handling fees. Contest by proving you'd paid for parking (receipt, app screenshot).

Company vehicle: The company receives the ticket as registered owner. It must either pay or identify the driver. If the company designates you, you become responsible for contestation. Keep all your parking receipts when using a company vehicle.

Foreign plate: Municipalities have difficulty recovering fees from foreign vehicles. But for criminal tickets, cooperation between European countries is improving. A Belgian police ticket can follow you home.