🔥 Can I still heat with a wood stove?

With conditions

Quick answer

Yes, heating with a wood stove is still allowed in 2026 — no general ban, but more and more conditions. No law in Belgium or Flanders bans the wood stove. But every new stove must, since 1 January 2022, meet the European Ecodesign standard (less fine dust). You may burn only dry, untreated wood (max 20% moisture), certified pellets or coal; forbidden are treated or painted wood, board (MDF, OSB, plywood), waste and garden waste. In poor conditions the VMM issues a heating advisory (a call not to light up); a real temporary ban only applies in municipalities that have written it into their police regulation. You may not cause excessive smoke nuisance to neighbours (art. 3.101 of the Civil Code). A chimney sweep is not legally compulsory for a standalone stove but strongly advised (2×/year with daily use); for a wood boiler on central heating the yearly service is compulsory.

📋 The rules

No general ban on wood stoves in Belgium/Flanders in 2026
Every new stove must meet the Ecodesign standard since 1 January 2022
Burn only dry untreated wood (≤ 20% moisture), pellets or coal — never treated wood, board, waste or garden waste
During smog the VMM issues a heating advisory; a binding ban only where the municipality imposes one
No excessive smoke nuisance to neighbours (art. 3.101 of the Civil Code)
Standalone stove: sweeping strongly advised (2×/year); wood boiler on central heating: yearly service compulsory

🔓 Exceptions

Around twenty Flemish municipalities have a temporary ban during poor air quality in their regulation — check your municipality
Flanders is studying a gradual phase-out of the oldest, most polluting stoves — not yet law

⚠️ Penalties & fines

Burning forbidden materials is an environmental offence: it can bring a GAS fine (maximum €500 for adults, €175 for minors; €350 in municipalities that haven't updated their regulation) or criminal prosecution. Excessive smoke nuisance to neighbours is a civil matter: the justice of the peace can impose measures or damages. There is no fine for smoke as such — it turns on the degree of nuisance.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-06-20

❓ Frequently asked

Can I still install a wood stove?

Yes. No ban; a new stove must meet the Ecodesign standard in force since 1 January 2022. Shops may sell only compliant appliances.

What may I burn?

Only dry, untreated wood (max 20% moisture), certified pellets or coal. Treated or painted wood, board, waste and garden waste are forbidden — they give off a lot of fine dust and toxic substances.

My neighbour complains about my smoke — can I still burn?

Burning is allowed, but you may not cause excessive smoke nuisance (art. 3.101 of the Civil Code). Occasional smell is normal; daily smoke straight into the bedroom can be excessive, and then the justice of the peace can step in.

Do I have to have my chimney swept?

For a standalone stove it is not legally compulsory, but strongly advised — twice a year with daily use. For a wood boiler on your central heating, the yearly service by an approved technician is compulsory.

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