What to do when you find a lost item in Belgium? Guide and obligations

Finding an item that belongs to someone else is more common than you might think. In Belgium, the law is clear on this point: you have legal obligations. Here is what you must do according to Belgian legislation.

Your legal obligations in Belgium

Under Belgian law, keeping a found item without trying to identify its owner can constitute breach of trust. According to the Belgian Criminal Code, you must act in good faith and make a reasonable effort to find the owner — including handing the item over to the competent authorities.

Step 1: Don't damage the item

Keep the item as you found it. Don't open it (handbag, wallet), don't charge it carelessly, don't use it. The goal is to return it in exactly the same condition as when you found it.

Step 2: Try to identify the owner

Look for any identifying information: an engraved name, a Belgian identity card (eID) in a wallet, a sticker with a phone number on a laptop. If the phone is unlocked, the messaging app may contain clues.

• Check the phone lock screen (some show an emergency contact number)
• Look at loyalty cards (Delhaize, Carrefour, etc.) in a wallet
• A bag may contain documents with a name and Belgian address

Step 3: Report it to the Belgian authorities

If you cannot identify the owner, hand the item in at the local police station or at the municipal administration of your commune. In Belgium, local police zones manage lost property. You can visit police.be to find the nearest station.

Step 4: Post a listing on eFinder

At the same time, create a listing on eFinder describing the item without revealing all the details (to verify the owner's authenticity at handover). Specify where and when you found it in Belgium.

What happens if nobody claims it?

In Belgium, if an item is not claimed after the legal deadline set by the municipality (generally between 1 and 3 years), you may under certain conditions become its owner. Check with your municipal administration for the exact procedure applicable in your situation.