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Debt and liability

Limitation period in Belgium: simple explanation

Limitation depends on the claim, its starting date and events affecting time.

The legal starting point

Limitation depends on the claim, its starting date and events affecting time. There is no universal five-year period for invoices. An ordinary registered letter from a creditor does not automatically interrupt limitation. Have the claim and required protective steps assessed before any deadline.

Documents to gather

The contract, invoices, payment evidence and received letters with envelopes. Separate admitted and disputed amounts.

Your next step

Write a short timeline and state the outcome you seek. Request a written explanation if an amount or decision seems wrong. Before signing, acknowledging a debt or allowing a deadline to pass, check the consequences for your circumstances. An amicable step does not automatically suspend a statutory deadline.

Frequently asked questions

Is a guide enough to decide?

It helps prepare your next step. Dates, documents and specific rules can change the answer. Consult the sources below and have decisive issues assessed.

Sources and useful texts

Sources consulted on 27 September 2026

General information about Belgian law. Region, date of events and your circumstances can change the applicable rule.

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