A federal state of communities and regions
Belgium is a federal State, composed of districts and communities, and it contains four language areas. The competences of each institution are embedded in the Constitution of the federal Belgium. Knowing the main Belgian players helps in tracing the right information.
Belgium encloses three communities: the Flemish, the French and the German speaking community. It also encloses three regions: the Flemish and the Walloon region, and the region of Brussels. General guidance on requesting documents across the EU is set out in how to use European freedom of information.
Four language areas
Belgium has four language areas: the Dutch language area, the French language area, the bilingual area Brussels Capital and the German language area. Every Belgian municipality belongs to one of the language areas.
Regions and provinces
- The Flemish region includes the provinces Antwerp, Limburg, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant and West-Vlaanderen.
- The Walloon region includes the provinces Henegouwen, Luik, Luxemburg, Namen and Waals-Brabant.
- The region of Brussels includes the capital Brussels.
Frequently asked questions
How is Belgium structured?
Belgium is a federal State composed of districts and communities. The competences of each institution are set out in the Constitution of the federal Belgium.
What language areas does Belgium have?
Belgium has four language areas: the Dutch language area, the French language area, the bilingual area Brussels Capital and the German language area. Every Belgian municipality belongs to one of them.
Which regions and communities make up Belgium?
Belgium encloses three communities — the Flemish, the French and the German speaking community — and three regions: the Flemish region, the Walloon region and the region of Brussels.