Brussels · Flanders · IBP
Taxi Brussels ↔ Flanders: can you work with a licence from another Region?
Uber, Bolt, Zaventem, Brussels–Antwerp or Brussels–Leuven trips: many drivers mix up the rules. Here is what is allowed — and what is not.
In short
An operator can target Brussels and Flanders, but these are two separate regional authorisations — not one single licence. IBP vergunning in Flanders + Brussels authorisation with badge in Brussels. Without both, only certain reserved interregional trips remain possible, under strict conditions.
The simple rule
Belgium is regionalised for taxis. So:
- a Flemish IBP licence allows operation in Flanders;
- a Brussels authorisation allows operation in Brussels;
- a licence from one Region does not automatically give the right to act as if licensed in the other Region.
In Flanders, the IBP vergunning is valid throughout the Flemish Region. The Flemish decree states this explicitly.
In Brussels, Brussels Mobility states that to work in Brussels — i.e. pick up and drop off a client in the Brussels-Capital Region — a taxi must have a Brussels authorisation with badge.
Can you be active in Brussels and Flanders at the same time?
Yes — but it is not "one licence that covers everything".
One operator can target both frameworks, provided they are compliant in each Region:
- on the Flanders side: an IBP vergunning, applied for from the municipality where their exploitatiezetel (operating headquarters) is located — valid throughout Flemish territory;
- on the Brussels side: a Brussels authorisation with badge(s) to pick up and drop off a client in Brussels territory.
Possible in principle. But not automatic.
The trap: "one authorisation per operator"
Brussels Mobility speaks of one authorisation per operator — but in the Brussels framework only. The authorisation is personal and may be operated by a legal entity if the holder is the manager in charge of day-to-day management.
In Flanders, the Flemish decree also provides for one vergunning per operator — but in the Flemish framework. The licence is issued by the municipality of the operating headquarters.
1 Brussels authorisation per operator in Brussels
+
1 Flemish IBP vergunning per operator in Flanders
This is not a ban on being active in two Regions.
Operating headquarters in Flanders
To obtain a Flemish licence, you need an operating headquarters in Flanders. The decree defines the exploitatiezetel as a stable establishment from which services are organised. A Brussels operator who really wants to work in Flanders cannot settle for "I have a Belgian company": they need a concrete Flemish organisation — headquarters, declared vehicles, compliant drivers, bestuurderspassen, Chiron. See the IBP licence guide.
Waiting list on the Brussels side
A Flemish operator can also apply for a Brussels authorisation — but the numerus clausus is full. New complete applications are placed on a waiting list. So it is not necessarily quick or guaranteed.
Concrete examples
Case A — Flemish operator who also wants Brussels
- keep their IBP vergunning for Flanders;
- apply for a Brussels authorisation with badges;
- declare vehicles in the Brussels framework if granted;
- comply with Chiron for Flemish trips;
- comply with Brussels rules for Brussels trips.
Without Brussels authorisation: limited to interregional exceptions (reserved trip, acceptance outside Brussels, destination outside Brussels).
Case B — Brussels operator who also wants Flanders
- keep their Brussels authorisation;
- create or have an operating headquarters in Flanders;
- apply for an IBP vergunning via the competent Flemish municipality;
- ensure drivers have a bestuurderspas;
- connect Flemish trips to Chiron.
Without Flemish licence: no local operation of the Flemish market.
An operator can be active in both Brussels and Flanders, but must treat the two Regions as two separate regulatory frameworks. A Brussels authorisation does not replace a Flemish IBP vergunning. A Flemish IBP vergunning does not replace a Brussels authorisation. To work regularly in both Regions, you must be authorised in both systems — with vehicles, drivers and obligations specific to each Region.
1. Flemish taxi controlled in Brussels
Permitted case
A taxi with a Flemish licence may come to Brussels in certain cases.
Brussels Mobility states that vehicles authorised in another Region may pick up a client in Brussels if three conditions are met:
- the trip was reserved;
- except ceremonial taxi, the vehicle is outside Brussels when the operator accepts the trip;
- except ceremonial taxi, the arrival point of the trip is outside Brussels.
Likely legal example: a Flemish taxi is in Zaventem or Leuven. It accepts a reserved trip to Brussels to collect a client. It picks up the client in Brussels. It takes them back to Flanders. Brussels allows a reserved interregional trip — not disguised Brussels operation.
Risky / prohibited case
A Flemish taxi risks a problem if it:
- waits for clients in Brussels;
- solicits in Brussels;
- takes a Brussels → Brussels trip;
- accepts the trip while already physically in Brussels;
- works as Uber/Bolt in Brussels without Brussels authorisation;
- parks or cruises in high-demand Brussels areas to catch clients.
Without Brussels authorisation, a vehicle from another Region cannot simply operate the Brussels market. The exception targets reserved and interregional trips.
2. Brussels taxi controlled in Flanders
Permitted case
A Brussels taxi can drop off a client in Flanders as part of an interregional trip.
Example: client picked up in Brussels, destination Leuven, Zaventem, Antwerp or Ghent. This is not the same as "setting up" in Flanders to find clients.
Risky / prohibited case
The problem starts if the Brussels taxi uses its Brussels authorisation to operate the Flemish market.
The Flemish decree sanctions improper use, on Flemish territory, of a taxi or VVB licence issued by another Region. The text states that this improper use targets illegal client solicitation — in Dutch: onwettig ronselen van klanten.
A Brussels taxi in Flanders must avoid:
- waiting without reservation to catch clients;
- circling around Zaventem, Leuven or Vilvoorde to find trips;
- picking up clients "on the fly" as if authorised in Flanders;
- occupying a Flemish taxi rank without local authorisation.
The Flemish decree provides sanctions for operating without a licence, occupying a rank without authorisation, non-compliance with applicable fares, and improper use of an authorisation from another Region. Fines range from €500 to €10,000, with possible confiscation of the vehicle used for the offence.
3. The key point: "reserved trip" vs "looking for clients"
The real criterion is not only: "Does my licence come from Brussels or Flanders?"
The real criterion is: "Am I doing a reserved interregional trip, or am I locally operating the other Region's market?"
A reserved Brussels → Flanders or Flanders → Brussels trip may be defensible depending on the case. But waiting, parking, cruising, accepting locally or soliciting in the other Region is much more dangerous.
See the Uber/Bolt Brussels–Flanders guide for concrete platform cases →
4. Chiron: Flemish side only
Chiron concerns Flanders.
The Flemish government states that the operator of a taxi service must send trip information to Chiron, the Flemish central taxi trip database.
To drive with Uber or Bolt in Flanders, the Flemish government states you need:
- a Flemish taxi licence;
- a bestuurderspas;
- a vehicle connected to Chiron.
If a Brussels operator really wants to work in Flanders as regular activity, having their Brussels authorisation is not enough. They must follow Flemish logic: IBP licence, authorised vehicle, bestuurderspas, documents, and Chiron.
5. Brussels: badge, authorisation and competence certificate
In Brussels, the system is different.
Brussels Mobility explains that the operator must have an authorisation with badge(s). The Brussels authorisation is issued for 7 years and with the numerus clausus full, new complete applications are placed on a waiting list.
On the driver side, Brussels requires a taxi competence certificate. The application is made via the regional platform, including criminal record extract 596.1-28, A2 language proof in French or Dutch, category B licence for at least two years, medical fitness, photo and payment of €75.
| Region | Operator | Driver | Trips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flanders | IBP vergunning | bestuurderspas | Chiron transmission |
| Brussels | authorisation + badge | competence certificate | Brussels rules |
Rank taxi vs street taxi: what changes?
In Brussels, you must distinguish the rank taxi (classic taxi: visual identity, roof light, ranks, daily route sheet) from the street taxi (reservation model, notably Uber/Bolt: TX plate and badge, without rank rights).
But this Brussels status does not bypass interregional rules. A Brussels street taxi working in Flanders must comply with Flemish rules. A Flemish taxi in Brussels does not automatically become a Brussels street taxi: you need Brussels authorisation or stay within the interregional exception.
Complete guide: rank taxi, street taxi, route sheet and booking form →
In Wallonia, the logic is different again: street taxi via mandatory approved platform, route sheet for every vehicle assigned to a taxi service. Taxi in Wallonia guide →
6. Summary for drivers
Flemish taxi in Brussels
They can:
- drop off a client in Brussels;
- pick up a client in Brussels if the trip is reserved, accepted outside Brussels, and destination is outside Brussels.
They cannot simply:
- wait in Brussels;
- do Brussels → Brussels trips;
- act like a Brussels taxi without Brussels authorisation.
Brussels taxi in Flanders
They can:
- drop off a client in Flanders;
- do a genuine interregional trip.
They must not:
- solicit clients in Flanders;
- park on a Flemish taxi rank without authorisation;
- locally operate the Flemish market without a Flemish licence.
7. What TaxiGer can provide
Do you have a licence in Flanders? Note: that does not mean you can work freely in Brussels.
Do you have a Brussels authorisation? Note: that does not mean you can operate freely in Flanders.
TaxiGer helps operators manage trips, drivers, documents and Chiron obligations on the Flemish side. For operators active in both Regions — or obtaining dual authorisation — it is essential to keep a clear record per trip: Region concerned, acceptance location, pickup location, destination, driver, vehicle, licence used and Chiron status.
Conclusion
This page addresses Uber/Bolt drivers doing Brussels–Flanders, Zaventem, Leuven, Vilvoorde or Antwerp — who do not know where regulatory risk begins.
Before taking a trip in the other Region, ask yourself three questions: where am I when accepting? Where is pickup? Where is destination? And for the Flemish portion: must this trip go to Chiron?
Next step
Working with Uber or Bolt between Brussels and Flanders? Read the dedicated guide to platforms and concrete cases.
Uber, Bolt, Brussels and Flanders →FAQ
Official sources
Read more
- Taxi obligations by Region: Chiron and route sheet
- Rank taxi or street taxi in Brussels
- Taxi in Wallonia: licence and route sheet
- Uber, Bolt, Brussels and Flanders: which licence?
- How to get an IBP licence in Flanders?
- Chiron for Uber in Flanders
- Chiron for Bolt in Flanders
- Connect your company to Chiron
- Taxi fines in Flanders
- Taxi control in Flanders
This article is for information only. For regulatory decisions, consult official Flemish sources or your legal adviser.