Is Public Nudity Legal in Belgium?
OfficialLegal in designated areas· Checked by Reto Pascal Wyss
Only on Belgium's one official naturist beach at Bredene; Bredene's police regulation bans nudity on the beach and dunes outside the signposted zone. Under the new Criminal Code (in force since 1 September 2026), exhibitionism means deliberately imposing the sight of one's naked genitals or a sexual act on others in a public place or a place visible to the public.[1][2][3][4]
Main provision: Code pénal (Livre II, 2024), art. 184 (exhibitionnisme)
Designated nude beaches or tolerance?
Bredene has had an official naturist beach since 2001: a 350 m signposted strip east of beach post 6 (Hippodrome), open from the Saturday before the Easter holidays until the second Sunday of October. The Belgian Naturist Federation (FBN) says it is currently the only nude beach in Belgium.[3][4]
Private naturist clubs and resorts
The FBN is the umbrella body for Belgian naturist associations, some of which have their own grounds.[5]
Penalties
Exhibitionism (art. 184) carries a level 1 penalty, and the justice ministry says level 1 no longer includes imprisonment. In the presence of a minor or a vulnerable person, the penalty rises to level 2 (art. 185).[1][2]
Official naturist places in Belgium
Places NudistMap lists as officially designated or naturist-only. Status comes from open data; check each place page.
Frequently asked questions
Is public nudity legal in Belgium?
Only on Belgium's one official naturist beach at Bredene; Bredene's police regulation bans nudity on the beach and dunes outside the signposted zone. Under the new Criminal Code (in force since 1 September 2026), exhibitionism means deliberately imposing the sight of one's naked genitals or a sexual act on others in a public place or a place visible to the public.
Are there official nude beaches in Belgium?
Bredene has had an official naturist beach since 2001: a 350 m signposted strip east of beach post 6 (Hippodrome), open from the Saturday before the Easter holidays until the second Sunday of October. The Belgian Naturist Federation (FBN) says it is currently the only nude beach in Belgium.
Is nudity allowed at private naturist clubs in Belgium?
The FBN is the umbrella body for Belgian naturist associations, some of which have their own grounds.
What is the penalty for public nudity in Belgium?
Exhibitionism (art. 184) carries a level 1 penalty, and the justice ministry says level 1 no longer includes imprisonment. In the presence of a minor or a vulnerable person, the penalty rises to level 2 (art. 185).
Sources
- Livre II du Nouveau Code pénal, art. 184-185 (Justel) (statute)
- SPF Justice: Réforme du Code pénal (government)
- Gemeente Bredene: Naaktstrand (government)
- Federatie van Belgische Naturisten: Naaktstranden (federation)
- Federatie van Belgische Naturisten: Verenigingen (federation)
This page summarises the law for travellers and is not legal advice. Laws, local bylaws and enforcement change; follow local signs and check the sources below. Last checked 31 October 2026.