Do I need an architect for my renovation in Belgium?
published 12 June 2026 · written by Narges, architect in Antwerp
In Belgium you need an architect for your renovation as soon as the works require a building permit and affect the structure or stability of the house — extensions, removing load-bearing walls, new openings in the facade. Works that stay within the existing structure, such as a new kitchen, bathroom or finishes, do not require one. That single rule settles most cases. Below is the full decision guide, the common borderline cases, and why an architect can be worth involving even when the law does not oblige you.
The rule and where it comes from
Belgian federal law (the Architects’ Act of 1939) reserves the design and construction supervision of permit-required works to registered architects. The Flemish Region then defines which works need a permit (omgevingsvergunning), which only need a notification (melding, largely abolished since 1 March 2026) and which are exempt. Two consequences follow:
- No permit or notification needed → as a rule no architect required — except exempt interior renovations with structural works, which since 5 September 2026 are only exempt if you appoint an architect.
- Permit required → an architect is required, unless the works are on the short exemption list of non-structural cases.
The architect who signs your permit file must be registered with the Orde van Architecten — verifiable in the public register — and must also supervise the execution of the works. That supervision is part of the legal protection, not an optional extra.
Four questions to decide your case
1. Do the works touch the structure?
Load-bearing walls, beams, foundations, the roof structure, the building envelope (creating or enlarging window and door openings), or the volume of the house. Yes → architect, and often a permit too (interior renovations with structural works are only permit-exempt since 5 September 2026 if you appoint an architect). No → next question.
2. Does the volume or the use change?
An extension, a dormer, an extra floor — but also converting a shop into a home, or splitting one dwelling into several units — are generally permit matters, usually with an architect. Note that splitting dwellings is tightly regulated in Antwerp under the city’s building code.
3. Is the work covered by notification or exemption?
Flanders exempts many smaller works from permits: interior renovations and certain detached garden buildings — each under conditions (size, height, location) and provided local rules are not stricter. Since 5 September 2026, an interior renovation that affects the structure is only exempt if you appoint an architect. The notification route was largely abolished on 1 March 2026: an attached extension or veranda now needs a permit again. Exempt works without structural impact can generally proceed without an architect.
4. Still in doubt?
Then the answer is: check before you start. A written confirmation from the municipal planning department, or a short consult with an architect, costs little; a stop order on site or a refused regularisation costs a lot.
Common renovations, answered quickly
| Renovation | Architect required? |
|---|---|
| New kitchen or bathroom | No |
| Moving a non-load-bearing partition | No |
| Removing (part of) a load-bearing wall | Yes |
| Enlarging a window opening in the facade | Yes |
| Extension or veranda | Often — depends on size and structure |
| Adding a dormer | Usually yes |
| Insulating and finishing an attic (no structural change) | No |
| Splitting a house into apartments | Yes |
Treat the table as a guide, not a free pass: the precise conditions decide, and Antwerp’s bouwcode can be stricter than the Flemish baseline.
Why involve an architect even when you don’t have to
The legal requirement is a minimum. Precisely in renovations that escape it — a thorough reorganisation within the existing walls, an ambitious energy retrofit — design skill tends to pay for itself:
- Space without extending. A better floor plan wins light and circulation from square metres you already own — cheaper than building new ones.
- Budget control. A bill of quantities and specifications make contractors’ offers comparable and keep extras in check.
- The right order of works. Insulating before rewiring means paying twice. A masterplan sequences interventions correctly — essential if you fall under the Flemish renovation obligation.
- Long-term value. Considered interventions raise comfort and resale value alike.
If you first want certainty about feasibility and budget — for instance before bidding on a house — a compact feasibility study answers exactly that.
Conclusion
Whether you must hire an architect depends on permits and structure; whether you want one depends on your ambitions for the house. If you are unsure where your project lands, send a few photos and your ideas through the contact form — in a no-obligation introductory meeting you will hear directly whether the requirement applies and which approach fits. More background on fees and process for international clients: Hiring an architect in Antwerp as an expat.
frequently asked questions
Do I need an architect for a new kitchen or bathroom?
No. Replacing a kitchen or bathroom within the existing structure is exempt from a permit in Flanders, and therefore from the architect requirement. If you also remove a load-bearing wall or enlarge a window opening, the answer changes.
What about converting an attic into a bedroom?
Often yes. Attic conversions frequently involve a dormer, a new staircase or changes to the roof — structural works that require an architect, and often a permit as well. Pure insulation and finishing without structural change can usually be done without one. Always have your concrete case checked.
My contractor says no architect is needed. Should I rely on that?
No. Whether a permit and an architect are required follows from the regulations, not from the contractor's judgement — and building without one where required is a building offence attributed to you as the owner. Confirm it with the municipality or have an architect check it in writing.
What does it cost to involve an architect voluntarily?
For smaller, non-permit works architects typically work at an hourly rate or a compact fixed fee — think design advice or a feasibility study. For full renovations, the fee is freely negotiated — often a percentage of the construction cost, a fixed fee or a combination.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Regulations, subsidies and figures change; check the current conditions with the official source (e.g. vlaanderen.be or omgevingsloket.be) before you decide. Last checked: September 2026.