In Charleroi, Belgian law allows you to borrow from a private individual, provided you sign an acknowledgement of debt once the amount exceeds 3 500 €, handle any interest correctly and refuse every lender who demands an upfront payment.
The Pays Noir, between industrial heritage and renewal
A former coal and steel basin in Hainaut, Charleroi is the most populous municipality in Wallonia, with around 200 000 inhabitants. Factory closures and unemployment long strained household budgets, so financial help between people is common but also exposed to non-payment.
An Italian diaspora and family solidarity
Post-war mining immigration left Charleroi a large community of Italian origin, later joined by North African, Turkish and African families. Family loans are common and remain subject to the Belgian rules set out on our page on peer-to-peer lending in Belgium.
The acknowledgement of debt, the key document
Article 8.9 of the Civil Code requires written proof above 3 500 €. For a Charleroi resident who advances the cost of a used car to a nephew, a signed, dated acknowledgement of debt with a schedule avoids lasting family disputes.
Registration with the Central Credit Register and private loans
Someone recorded for payment default in the Central Credit Register of the BNB, the National Bank of Belgium, struggles to obtain bank credit. A relative can help without worsening over-indebtedness; read our page on lending to over-indebted people.
Interest and the 30% withholding tax
If a Charleroi loan includes interest, Wikifin, the public financial education service, notes that the borrower must withhold 30% withholding tax on investment income and pay it to the SPF Finances. In most family loans, charging no interest simplifies tax matters.
Fake credit offers from the airport to social media
Fraudsters sometimes pose as foreign investors passing through Charleroi airport, or post adverts promising a reliable loan within 24 hours in local groups. Our page on phishing by fake lenders shows how they obtain your bank details.
Filing a complaint with the Charleroi police zone
The Charleroi police zone records complaints about loan fraud, so bring screenshots, phone numbers and proof of transfers. Then report the case to the SPF Economy contact point and forward suspicious emails to Safeonweb, the national cybersecurity service.
Debt mediation in Wallonia
The Charleroi CPAS, the public social welfare centre, and debt mediation services approved by the Walloon Region support struggling households. The Observatoire du Crédit et de l'Endettement, the Walloon reference centre, also documents credit practices and over-indebtedness.
Collective debt settlement at the labour court
When debts become unmanageable, a collective debt settlement can be requested from the Hainaut labour court, Charleroi division. The family lender then becomes one creditor among many, which shows the value of a written document clearly proving the claim.
Charleroi justice of the peace courts for small claims
For an unpaid debt of up to 5 000 €, the justice of the peace courts of the Charleroi cantons have jurisdiction. A registered formal notice usefully precedes the summons, and a bailiff can enforce the judgment if the borrower still does not pay.
Legal aid from the Charleroi bar
The legal aid office of the Charleroi bar grants, depending on income, full or partial assistance from a lawyer. A first legal consultation lets you check a loan agreement before signing or assess your chances of recovering money you have lent.
Charleroi notaries and loan security
For a large loan secured on a house in Marcinelle or Gilly, the mortgage requires a notarial deed. Be wary, however, of a notary reached only through WhatsApp; our page on the fake notary fraud describes this scenario.
How to arrange a private loan in Charleroi
- Review the borrower's budget and current debts, including any listing with the BNB.
- Write a signed acknowledgement of debt stating the amount, payment date, term and monthly instalments.
- Decide whether interest applies and, if so, arrange to withhold the 30% withholding tax on it.
- Pay the sum by bank transfer and keep the statement showing the reference loan.
- If repayment becomes difficult, contact the CPAS or a debt mediation service quickly.
- Never pay upfront fees to a lender or notary contacted only online.
Indicative amounts for a loan in Charleroi
| Item | Order of magnitude (EUR) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Interest between relatives | Free, often 0% | May be reduced if the rate is usurious |
| Withholding tax on investment income | 30% of the interest | Withheld by the borrower and paid to the tax authority |
| Debt mediation at the CPAS | Usually free for the user | Check with the CPAS |
| Enforcement by a bailiff | Varies with the steps taken | Costs normally charged to the losing debtor |
| Fees demanded by a fake lender | Money lost | A certain sign of fraud |
What to gather in Charleroi
- Electronic identity card of both parties
- Signed acknowledgement of debt or loan agreement
- Statement of the borrower's current debts
- Proof of transfer and IBAN
- Monthly repayment schedule
- Proof of income, unemployment or health insurance benefits where relevant
The most common traps in Charleroi
- Borrowing from a private individual to repay other loans without an overall plan, which often worsens over-indebtedness.
- Paying loan insurance to a stranger who promises credit despite a listing in the Central Credit Register.
- Lending several thousand euros verbally to a family member with no written record and no bank transfer.
- Giving your bank codes or identity card to a so-called lender through a link received by text message.
- Accepting unrealistic monthly payments out of family embarrassment, then hiding arrears until an open conflict erupts.
What Charleroi residents ask about private loans
Can I borrow from a relative while in a collective debt settlement?
Taking on new debt during a collective settlement normally requires the approval of the mediator or the judge. Before any loan, inform your debt mediator, because an unauthorised loan can jeopardise the procedure and your chances of getting out of it.
Can the Charleroi CPAS help me repay a relative?
The CPAS does not repay debts on your behalf, but its mediation service can include the family debt in a payment plan and direct you towards social support suited to your situation.
Is a handwritten acknowledgement of debt valid in Belgium?
Yes, if the borrower signs it and the amount is clearly stated. Write the sum in figures and words, the date, the identity of the parties and the repayment terms. Also keep proof of the corresponding transfer.
How can I check a lender who claims to be based in Charleroi?
Ask for their company number, check it in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises and consult the FSMA warnings. A genuine professional lender must be registered, and a private individual who demands fees before paying out is a fraudster.