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Credit repair in Belgium is about correcting credit data, resolving arrears, and negotiating sustainable repayment plans rather than buying quick score fixes. In Hasselt and throughout Belgium, there is no single credit score like in some other countries. Lenders consult the Central Individual Credit Register managed by the National Bank of Belgium, known as the CKP. The CKP records your consumer and mortgage credit contracts and any payment incidents. Errors can be corrected, arrears can be regularized, and unlawful collection practices can be challenged, but each step is governed by Belgian and EU rules.
The legal framework combines the Code of Economic Law for consumer and mortgage credit, the Law of 20 December 2002 on amicable recovery of consumer debts, the Judicial Code provisions on debt mediation and collective debt settlement, and EU GDPR data protection rules. In Hasselt, you also have access to recognized debt mediation through local social services and to courts that can approve a judicial debt settlement when needed.
A lawyer can add value at key moments in the credit repair journey. You may need legal help when a lender or collector reports an error to the CKP, when you face court action for unpaid debts, or when you want to negotiate a binding settlement that stops interest and costs from snowballing.
Common situations include disputing incorrect CKP entries, challenging unlawful collection fees or harassment, responding to a summons or wage garnishment, avoiding a forced sale after mortgage arrears, entering or reviewing a debt mediation plan, applying for a collective debt settlement before the labour court, understanding limitation periods, or coordinating cross-border debts if you lived or worked outside Belgium.
Lawyers also ensure that repayment plans are realistic, that you keep essential income protected, and that communications with creditors comply with Belgian rules. If you qualify for legal aid, representation may be low cost or free.
CKP registrations and your rights. The CKP records your open credit agreements and any payment incidents. You have the right to access your file, request correction of inaccuracies, and add a short statement if a dispute is pending. Negative entries can affect your ability to obtain new credit. After arrears are fully regularized, negative records are typically kept for a limited period, and unresolved incidents can remain significantly longer. Check the National Bank guidance for the current retention periods.
Consumer credit and mortgage credit rules. The Code of Economic Law regulates how credit is offered, assessed, and advertised, and it requires responsible lending and proper affordability checks. Credit providers and intermediaries must be authorized. Mortgage credit distribution is supervised at federal level, and consumer credit lenders are subject to strict conduct rules, with oversight by the competent federal authorities.
Debt collection practices. The Law of 20 December 2002 sets standards for amicable debt recovery. Collectors must identify themselves, send required notices, and avoid harassment or misleading tactics. Unlawful or disproportionate fees cannot be charged to consumers. You can ask for written proof of the debt and a detailed account of principal, interest, and costs.
Data protection. Under GDPR and Belgian data protection law, you can access, correct, and in some cases restrict processing of your personal data held by lenders, collectors, and the CKP. Complaints can be made to the Data Protection Authority if your rights are not respected.
Debt mediation and collective debt settlement. Recognized debt mediators can set up amicable repayment plans. If that fails and you are over-indebted, you can apply for a collective debt settlement before the labour court in the Limburg judicial district. If admitted, a court-appointed mediator designs a plan to repay debts while protecting a basic standard of living. Certain interest and costs can be frozen or reduced under the court-supervised plan.
Wage garnishment and protected income. Belgian law protects a portion of wages, social benefits, and essential household goods from seizure. Garnishment must respect protected thresholds that vary by income level and family situation, and multiple garnishments follow priority rules.
Limitation periods. Many consumer debts become time-barred after a set period if no valid interruption occurs. Common periods include five years for many consumer credit claims and ten years for court judgments. Acknowledgment of the debt, a payment, or a summons can interrupt prescription and restart the clock.
The CKP is the Central Individual Credit Register of the National Bank of Belgium. It lists your consumer and mortgage credit contracts and any payment incidents. Lenders consult it when you apply for credit. Correcting errors and regularizing arrears improves how lenders assess you, which is the core of credit repair in Belgium.
You can request access to your CKP report through the National Bank of Belgium using secure identification or by mail. Review the entries, amounts, start and end dates, and any incident codes. Keep a copy for your records.
Write to the lender that reported the data, explain the error clearly, and include evidence such as contracts, payment proofs, or court decisions. If the lender agrees, it must correct the record with the CKP. If it refuses, you can escalate to the National Bank, the sector ombudsman, or take legal action. You can also add a brief statement to your CKP file while the dispute is pending.
Positive credit entries remain for the life of the contract and a short period after closure. Negative entries for arrears remain for a limited time after full regularization and can remain much longer if not resolved. Retention periods are set by regulation and the National Bank. Verify current time limits before planning your next steps.
Belgian law restricts what a collector can charge in the amicable phase. Unlawful administrative fees or penalties cannot be imposed on consumers beyond what the contract and law allow. Ask for a detailed statement and challenge any amounts that do not comply. A lawyer or recognized debt mediator in Hasselt can review the figures.
No. Collectors must behave fairly and may not harass you. Communications must be reasonable and transparent. Home visits without your consent are not permitted as a pressure tactic. You can request that all communication be in writing, which is wise for recordkeeping.
Amicable debt mediation is a voluntary arrangement with creditors, often organized by a recognized mediator such as the OCMW or CAW. Collective debt settlement is a court procedure before the labour court that appoints a mediator, freezes enforcement in many cases, and imposes a structured repayment plan that protects a minimum standard of living.
Paying off arrears is the most important step, but the negative entry typically remains for a set retention period even after regularization. The record should show that the debt is no longer in arrears. Keep proof of payment and ask the lender to update the CKP promptly.
Often yes. Lawyers can negotiate interest reductions, payment holidays, or lump-sum settlements and ensure agreements are enforceable and realistic. They also know when to use formal notices, mediation, or court procedures to improve your position.
You may qualify for first-line legal aid or second-line legal aid, sometimes called pro deo. Contact the local legal aid bureau in Limburg to check eligibility. Recognized debt mediation by OCMW or CAW is also free of charge for eligible residents.
National Bank of Belgium - Central Individual Credit Register CKP for access and correction of credit data.
FPS Economy - consumer credit rules, supervision of credit providers, and complaint handling by the Economic Inspectorate.
FSMA - oversight for mortgage credit intermediaries and certain financial services.
Ombudsfin - financial sector ombudsman for complaints about banks and credit.
Data Protection Authority GBA - for GDPR rights and data complaints.
OCMW Hasselt - recognized debt mediation and budget advice for residents.
CAW Limburg and BudgetInZicht Limburg - free budget coaching and debt mediation services.
Labour Court Antwerp - Hasselt division - for collective debt settlement applications.
Legal Aid Bureau Limburg - first-line advice and pro deo eligibility screening.
Flanders information line 1700 - guidance to local social and legal services.
Gather documents. Collect credit contracts, statements, payment proofs, collection letters, court papers, and your ID. Keep everything in date order.
Request your CKP report. Review all entries and mark anything that looks wrong or outdated. Note contract numbers and reporting lenders.
List your debts and budget. Create a clear overview of income, essential expenses, and debts with amounts, interest, and status. This helps shape realistic proposals.
Contact a recognized mediator. Reach out to OCMW Hasselt or CAW Limburg for free debt mediation. They can propose an amicable plan to creditors and help stop escalation.
Consult a local lawyer. If there is a dispute, court action, wage garnishment, or a risk of forced sale, speak to a lawyer in Hasselt. Ask about legal aid if money is tight.
Dispute errors in writing. Send dated letters or emails to lenders and collectors, request proof of debt, and challenge unlawful fees. Keep copies of all correspondence.
Consider collective debt settlement. If debts are unmanageable, ask your mediator or lawyer whether you qualify to apply to the labour court for a court-supervised plan.
Monitor deadlines. Limitation periods and court time limits are strict. Do not ignore a summons or a bailiff notice. Seek advice immediately if you receive one.
Protect essential income. Verify that any garnishment respects protected thresholds. If not, ask your lawyer or mediator to intervene.
Stay engaged. Make agreed payments on time, inform creditors if your situation changes, and recheck your CKP after corrections or settlements to confirm updates.
