Belgian consumer credit: buy now pay later and small loans come under the rules on 20 November

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On 20 November 2026, consumer credit in Belgium moves to a new regime. The law transposing Directive (EU) 2023/2225 was adopted by the Chamber in July. It rewrites a large part of Book VII of the Code of Economic Law. Here are the key points.

Buy now, pay later and small loans: no more exception

Buy-now-pay-later schemes, small loans below EUR 200 and interest-free credit were wholly or partly outside the consumer credit rules. They now come within them, with some adjustments. A simple payment delay granted by the seller itself, with no lender involved, remains outside the scope where payment is made within fifty days.

Creditworthiness: verified data and a right to human review

The lender must assess the consumer’s creditworthiness on the basis of relevant and accurate information on income and expenses, and verify it. Where the decision relies on automated processing, the consumer may ask for a person to review the file and for an explanation.

The principle is not new in Belgian law, which already imposes a duty to assess the borrower’s situation. What changes is the standard for the data and the traceability of the decision.

Advertising, unsolicited credit, minors

Advertising may not present credit as a way to improve one’s financial situation or play down existing debt. A credit offer may only be sent at the consumer’s prior express request. And lending to minors is now expressly prohibited.

Lenders and intermediaries: a tight timetable

Most rules apply from 20 November 2026. By then, lenders must adapt their contract templates and have them approved, and review their pre-contractual information, creditworthiness assessment and online journeys. Buy-now-pay-later providers, often from e-commerce, are entering a regime they did not know.

This is the English version of an article originally published in French on bankinglaw.be.