Tattoo regulations in Belgium
Belgium regulates tattooing through a federal Royal Decree on tattoos and piercings. It requires tattooists to complete a recognised hygiene training, sets hygiene rules for premises and equipment, and requires written information and consent before the procedure, with extra conditions for minors. Inks follow the EU REACH restriction and health answers fall under the GDPR.
Last checked September 25, 2026
Minimum age
Who you can tattoo, and with whose permission.
Minimum age
No age set by law
Younger clients
Parental consent is not an exception
The Royal Decree adds conditions for minors, including written parental consent. We could not confirm the exact age thresholds, so check the current decree and treat anyone under 18 with care. Inkeva defaults to 18.
Consent
What the customer signs before each tattoo.
Client records
What to record and how long to keep it.
Keep for 5 years
Common practice, not set by law
- Accounting records: 10 years
What to record
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Date of the procedure
- Placement on the body
- Artist
- Ink brand, colour and manufacturer
- Ink lot numbers
- Health questionnaire answers
- Client signature
- Parent or guardian details
Ink
What can go into the skin and what you must record.
Sterilization and waste
Cleaning, sterilizing and getting rid of sharps.
Licensing
What you need to open a studio and work in it.
Guest artists
Hosting artists from somewhere else.