Can I use my neighbour's wi-fi?
No — connecting to your neighbour's wi-fi without permission is an offence, even if their network is open or unsecured. You then gain unauthorized access to a computer system: unlawful access (hacking), art. 550bis of the Criminal Code. It doesn't matter whether there was a password — what counts is that you knew you were not authorized. No special purpose is required; merely connecting is already enough for the basic form ('external hacking'). If your neighbour deliberately shares their wi-fi, there is of course no offence — but note: the subscriber stays legally responsible for what happens over that connection, and reselling is usually forbidden by the provider's terms. The penalties are not symbolic: 3 months to 1 year's imprisonment and a fine that, after the surcharges (×10 since 1 February 2026), rises sharply.
📋 The rules
- Without permission on someone's wi-fi: unlawful access (art. 550bis §1 Criminal Code)
- An open or unsecured network does not count as permission — decisive: you knew you were not authorized
- For the basic form ('external hacking'), no special purpose is required; connecting is enough
- Neighbour shares deliberately? Then no offence — but the subscriber stays responsible
- Using the connection to go further onto the internet falls under the aggravated form (art. 550bis §3)
- On repeat within 5 years, the penalties are doubled (§8)
🔓 Exceptions
- Using a free or public guest network (café, library …) is fine: access there is expressly offered
- Letting your own household members or guests onto your network is no problem
- If your neighbour deliberately shares their wifi there is no offence — but the subscriber stays responsible for whatever happens over that line
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Unlawful computer access (art. 550bis §1) carries 3 months to 1 year in prison and/or a fine with a base amount of 26 to 25,000 euros. Since 1 February 2026 criminal fines are multiplied by a factor of ten, so the real amount runs to roughly 260 to 250,000 euros. Anyone who takes further steps once inside (browsing on, looking at data) or causes damage falls under the heavier §3, and on repeat within 5 years the penalties are doubled (§8). And the subscriber who lends out their wifi stays answerable for what happens over that line.
📎 Official sources
- ejustice · Criminal Code art. 550bis →
- VRT NWS · sharing wi-fi with neighbours →
- Tiberghien · surcharges ×10 since 1 February 2026 →
❓ Frequently asked
May I use my neighbour's open wifi?
No. Using a network without a password and without permission is still unlawful computer access (art. 550bis). The fact that it was open does not count as an invitation: what matters is that you knew you were not authorised.
What if my neighbour shares their wifi with me?
Then there is no offence, because you are authorised. The subscriber does stay responsible for whatever happens over that connection, though, and reselling it on is usually banned by the provider's terms.
How heavy are the penalties?
For the basic offence, 3 months to 1 year in prison and a fine with a base amount of 26 to 25,000 euros. After the tenfold surcharge (since 1 February 2026) that runs to roughly 260 to 250,000 euros.
May I use the free wifi in a café?
Yes. A public or guest network where access is expressly offered may be used, because there you are clearly authorised. That explicit permission is exactly what is missing at the neighbour's.
Do I need a particular intent to be punishable?
No. For the basic offence ('external hacking') no special intent is required: merely connecting is enough. If you then go on to browse the internet, you fall under the aggravated form (art. 550bis §3).
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