Regulations

Extension of the guidelines on hospitality terraces in public spaces

Published on Aug 25, 2026

Terraces in Brussels

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and as part of efforts to support the hospitality sector and to monitor the urban planning of facilities in public spaces, in 2021 the Government decided to introduce guidelines aimed at regulating the seasonal installation of hospitality terraces on parking spaces. These guidelines have been renewed every year since then, at the request of the Federation Horeca and other industry associations.

The extension of these provisions makes it possible to:

Ensure a clear regulatory framework for hospitality businesses, municipalities and the Region.
Ensure that the use of terraces in public spaces, particularly on parking spaces, is properly regulated.
Ensure the continuity of measures pending the completion of the reform of the regional urban planning regulations (RRU) and the new decree known as the ‘minimal importance’ decree.

The latest extension of the guidelines adopted by the Government has been set to remain in force until the ‘minimal importance’ decree is definitively amended.

Indeed, in order to make the rules introduced for hospitality terraces in public spaces permanent, the Brussels Parliament adopted a resolution on 4 April 2025 calling on the Government of the Brussels Capital Region to amend the current regulations.

The aim is to allow hospitality terraces to be set up in public spaces throughout the year, without the need to obtain planning permission, provided that certain rules are followed. In particular, terraces must comply with regional guidelines and it must be possible to dismantle them if necessary, for example during roadworks or for relocation.

It is in anticipation of this regulatory change that the guidelines currently in force have been extended.

A significant milestone was reached on 9 July 2026, when the Brussels Government approved the draft regulatory amendment at its third reading. The text was then forwarded to the Council of State for an opinion.

Once any comments from the Council of State have been considered, the text may be amended one final time before its final approval by the Government. It will then enter into force after being published in the Belgian Official Gazette.

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