In Ghent, loans between private individuals mainly involve students, young workers and families; they remain unrestricted but require a signed document from 3,500 €, a 30% withholding on interest and total distrust of lenders who ask for upfront fees.
A university city where flatmates lend to each other
With Ghent University and several colleges, the city hosts tens of thousands of students. Rent advances, rental deposits or a laptop lent between flatmates are common; our page on the peer-to-peer student loan sets out sensible habits.
North Sea Port and industrial jobs in Ghent
The merged seaport North Sea Port, the steel industry and car manufacturing employ many workers and temps in Ghent's port area. These sometimes irregular incomes explain why people turn to relatives to get through a hard month, ideally with a written schedule.
Writing a clear schuldbekentenis
In East Flanders, the acknowledgement of debt often goes by its Dutch name, schuldbekentenis. It states full identities, the amount in euros, the payment date, repayment terms and the borrower's signature. A bilingual text suits a French-speaking party or a foreign student.
3,500 €: the legal threshold for written proof
Since Book 8 of the Civil Code came into force, any transaction above 3,500 € must be proven by a signed document. A three-month rental deposit in Ghent advanced by a friend quickly exceeds this threshold and therefore deserves a dated document.
WinWinner Crowd, a licensed platform based in Ghent
The FSMA list names WinWinner Crowd, based in Ghent, among the ten providers licensed under European Regulation 2020/1503, along with FinanceLink in Belsele, East Flanders. These platforms finance businesses and do not lend directly to a student or a household.
Interest and withholding tax on a Ghent loan
If a rate is agreed, the borrower withholds 30% precompte mobilier, Belgian withholding tax, on the interest and pays it to the SPF Finances, as Wikifin explains. Between students, an interest-free loan remains the simplest and most common arrangement.
Scams targeting international students
Foreign students arriving in Ghent receive loan offers on Instagram or WhatsApp, with requests for file fees and a passport copy. These details are then used to steal their identity; see our page on identity theft linked to loans.
Ghent police and Safeonweb for a quick response
In case of fraud, the Ghent police zone records the complaint, while Safeonweb, the federal cybersecurity service, receives phishing links and messages. Also warn your bank without delay to block the card and try to recall the payment.
OCMW Gent and student social services
For a debt that has become unmanageable, the debt mediation service of OCMW Gent, the city's public social welfare centre, supports residents. Students can first consult their institution's social service, which sometimes offers advances or one-off aid before any private borrowing.
The competent court in East Flanders
The justices of the peace in the Ghent cantons rule on disputes up to 5,000 €, and the East Flanders court of first instance above that. Proceedings are held in Dutch; an interpreter can be requested if a party does not speak the language.
Free legal advice in Ghent
Juridische eerstelijnsbijstand sessions, Belgium's first-line legal aid, and the Ghent bar's legal aid office give initial advice to people on limited incomes. For a more complex contract, our page on how to check a private loan contract lists the clauses to review.
Mortgages and notaries for large amounts
A parent who funds part of a house purchase in Gentbrugge or Ledeberg can secure the loan with a mortgage. Only a notary can draw up this deed, after checking existing charges, and calculates the registration duties to expect.
Securing a loan between Ghent residents in six steps
- Discuss the real need, the amount and a repayment calendar that fits a student budget or a salary.
- Draft a dated schuldbekentenis, bilingual if needed, signed by the borrower and kept by each party.
- Agree on no interest or, otherwise, the 30% withholding tax to be paid to the SPF Finances.
- Make the transfer from a Belgian account with the reference loan and the contract date.
- Record each repayment in a shared table and keep the matching bank statements.
- Ignore any credit offer received by private message and check the FSMA warning list.
Orders of magnitude for a loan in Ghent
| Item | Amount (EUR, indicative) | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rate agreed between individuals | Free, often zero between students | An abusive rate can be reduced |
| Withholding tax on interest | 30% | Owed by the recipient, withheld by the borrower |
| Advanced rental deposit | Depends on the rent | Amount to include in the acknowledgement of debt |
| Mortgage deed | Variable | Notary's quote before signing |
| Fees paid to a fake lender | Outright loss | Frequent scam targeting students |
Documents to keep for a loan in Ghent
- Identity card or student residence permit
- Student card or enrolment certificate if the borrower is studying
- Signed schuldbekentenis or loan agreement
- Proof of transfer and IBAN for both parties
- Repayment calendar
- Lease for the room or home if the loan covers the rental deposit
What to avoid when lending or borrowing in Ghent
- Sending a photo of your passport and bank card to a lender found in a student Instagram group.
- Paying file fees to a site claiming to be a Ghent platform that does not appear on the FSMA list.
- Lending a flatmate's rental deposit without a document, then watching them leave Ghent at the end of the academic year.
- Accepting repayment promised in cryptocurrency or gift cards instead of a traceable bank transfer.
- Believing a loan between friends escapes all tax rules, when stipulated interest triggers the 30% withholding tax.
What Ghent residents often ask about private loans
Can a foreign student in Ghent borrow from a Belgian private individual?
Yes, Belgian law allows it, but the lender should anticipate that the student may leave after their studies. The agreement should then give an address in the home country and a calendar ending before the planned stay is over.
Can WinWinner Crowd fund a personal need?
No. This FSMA-licensed platform connects investors with businesses and projects. A Ghent resident looking for a personal loan should turn to a bank or a relative, or ask the relevant social service for advice.
Is a notary needed for a loan between friends in Ghent?
Not for an ordinary loan: a signed acknowledgement of debt is enough, and it is essential above 3,500 €. A notary only becomes necessary if the parties want a mortgage on property to guarantee repayment.
What should I do if a fake lender has my identity card?
File a police complaint, report the facts to Safeonweb and warn your bank. Also have the card blocked through DOC STOP or your municipality to limit any fraudulent use of it.