What insurance do you really need for your event in Belgium
Planning a festival, sports tournament, trade fair or business event in Belgium? There’s a lot to think about – and one thing you definitely shouldn’t overlook is insurance. Some policies are required by law, others aren’t mandatory but are strongly recommended. In this article, we explain what’s legally required, what to watch out for, and how you can arrange everything easily with No Risk.
Mandatory insurance for events in Belgium
Objective liability in case of fire or explosion
If a fire or explosion occurs during your event, visitors or nearby residents could suffer damage. Even if you’re not directly at fault, you can still be held liable. That’s why objective liability insurance is legally required in some cases.
Are you organising your event in a publicly accessible space – such as a hall, tent, square or field? Then Belgian law requires you to take out this insurance. Whether visitors pay or enter for free doesn’t make much difference. What matters is the location and nature of the event: the requirement applies mainly to venues, tents or temporary structures of 50 m² or more, and often also to outdoor events that require a permit. Municipalities often request proof of this insurance before granting a permit.
Insurance for volunteers
If your event involves volunteers, you’re legally required to provide liability insurance for them. This protects your volunteers in case they accidentally cause damage to others or to equipment during the event. This applies to all events involving volunteers – large or small.
Smaller organisations in Flanders can sometimes use the free volunteer insurance provided by the regional government. But be aware: this only covers the volunteers themselves and does not replace event insurance.
Not mandatory – but very smart: No Risk event insurance
Some risks may not be legally required to insure – but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important. Accidents, damage or cancellations due to bad weather or unforeseen circumstances can cause serious setbacks. That’s where No Risk event insurance comes in.
With one policy, you can tailor coverage to your needs. Everything is handled online, and you choose exactly what you want to insure. Options include:
- Cancellation – if your event needs to be cancelled, interrupted or postponed.
- Bad weather – especially useful for outdoor events.
- Non-appearance – coverage if a key performer or guest can’t show up.
- Liability – for damage to third parties or their property.
- Equipment – protection for your own or rented items like tents, stages or tech.
- Accidents – coverage for your team and visitors.
You decide what’s relevant for your event – and see the cost immediately. That means fast, clear and reliable coverage.
What do authorities require for event permits?
Municipalities often ask for proof of mandatory insurance – objective liability coverage and, if applicable, volunteer insurance. In some cases, event insurance is also required as an additional condition. And for certain events, a safety plan may also be requested, outlining the key risks and how you’ll manage them.
Need your policy quickly? No problem – with No Risk, you’ll usually receive it within one working day.
Set clear agreements with suppliers and partners
No event is organised alone – you’re working with suppliers, partners and other stakeholders. Make sure to agree in advance who is responsible for what, and who insures what. For example, when renting equipment: will you insure it, or is that the supplier’s responsibility? And for what value?
Discussing this ahead of time helps prevent unexpected issues later. No Risk is happy to support you in this process.
Easily arranged with No Risk
With No Risk’s online tool, you can quickly calculate your premium and customise your policy. Just select your coverage, enter your details, and receive your insurance documents – usually within one working day. That means you're well-prepared, meet local requirements, and can focus fully on delivering a great event.
Smart, fast and fully covered – so you can plan with peace of mind.