26-05-2026 · 6 min · Laura
Belgium's new Code de la voie publique will change several practical habits for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. If you want a clear and reliable summary, here are the main changes to know before the reform takes effect in 2027.
Key takeaway: the reform no longer starts on 1 September 2026. The official timetable now points to 1 June 2027.
The most important point to clear up is the date. The new Code de la voie publique has been published, but its application has been postponed to 1 June 2027. So 1 September 2026 is now only an old reference date, not the actual entry date anymore.
In practical terms, this gives municipalities, driving schools, test centres, police services and the Regions more time to adapt road signs, training material and internal procedures.
The most discussed change concerns parking. The future text says that a vehicle parked fully or partly on the carriageway must be placed parallel to the edge of the road, unless the location has a specific layout.
In plain language, this means perpendicular or angled parking on the carriageway will no longer be the default rule. It will still be possible where local layout, markings or signage clearly organise it.
| Situation | Today | Under the new Code |
|---|---|---|
| Parking on the carriageway | Perpendicular or angled configurations still exist in some places | Parallel parking becomes the general rule, unless there is a specific layout |
| Alternating semi-monthly parking | Still known in some streets | Removed |
| Clear pedestrian passage | The rule already matters in several cases | Keeping a 1.5 m clear passage for pedestrians remains a key reference point |
Local layout will still matter. If spaces are marked by the municipality, drivers will obviously still need to follow markings and signage. The point is not that every perpendicular parking space disappears overnight, but that it will no longer be treated as the normal default in the absence of a specific layout.
Another visible change is the possibility to cross an intersection diagonally when an integral green pedestrian signal is provided.
What many people already call the green square will not appear at every intersection. It requires a suitable layout. But where this signal exists, pedestrians will be allowed to cross diagonally instead of only moving from one side to the other.
For road users, the benefit is twofold:
If you drive in a city, this means you will need to be especially attentive to these dedicated phases and to the priority given to active road users.
This change fits into a broader goal: making walking and cycling movements easier to read and safer in urban areas.
The new Code also acknowledges a practice that many riders already know: the use of the emergency corridor / emergency lane in certain traffic-jam situations.
The logic remains tightly regulated. Public references point to two limits in particular:
In other words, this is not a general permission to ride freely on the emergency lane. It is a regulated possibility that still requires caution and that must not obstruct emergency vehicles.
| Date | Step | Practical impact |
|---|---|---|
| 3 June 2024 | Royal Decree relating to the Code de la voie publique | The new legal framework is adopted |
| 20 September 2024 | Publication in the Belgian Official Gazette | The text becomes officially available |
| 1 September 2026 | Initially announced entry date | This is no longer the correct date |
| 1 June 2027 | Announced entry into force | The new Code is meant to replace the old federal framework |
| Until 1 January 2045 | Signage transition period | Old signs keep their meaning during the gradual update |
Even though the reform is not yet in force, it is useful to anticipate the new habits.
The future framework does not only replace the old federal code. It also works alongside regionalised rules. In practice, this means you will still need to distinguish between:
For drivers, the practical consequence is simple: even with a clearer code, you will still need to check the local context before applying a rule automatically, especially for parking, urban road design and cycling infrastructure.
The official timetable now points to 1 June 2027. The postponement from 1 September 2026 was confirmed to give authorities and road users more time to prepare.
Not everywhere. The general rule on the carriageway becomes parallel parking, but a specific local layout can still organise a different setup. That means you will still need to read the signage and markings on site.
No. It is a device that requires a specific layout. Where it exists, it allows diagonal pedestrian crossing during a dedicated signal phase.
The general framework is shared, but some regional rules and local implementation details will remain. In practice, you will still need to combine the Code, the signs on site and any regional specifics.
This article is intended as a practical overview. For exact legal application, always check the official text in force, the signage on site and any applicable regional rules.
