Bank gift in Belgium: how it works and mistakes to avoid

A bank gift is a gift of money made by bank transfer. It is the most common way to give money to children, grandchildren or other family in Belgium, precisely because - unlike gifting a property - no notary is required. That makes a bank gift simple, but not casual: without a well-kept record, it can be hard to later prove exactly what happened and why.

How a bank gift actually works

A bank gift happens in two steps that should not be confused with each other.

• First, the transfer. You transfer the amount to the recipient's account, like any ordinary bank transfer.
• Then, the proof. You and the recipient separately record that it was a gift: who gave it, who received it, the amount, and the date.

That order is not a formality. The transfer itself only shows money moving from one account to another; it does not prove the intent was a gift rather than, say, a loan. The separate proof document is what establishes that intent.

The classic mistake: writing “gift” in the transfer reference

Many people write something like “gift” or “birthday present” in the transfer reference. That feels natural, but it is unnecessary and can create confusion later: a bank transfer is a neutral payment, not a legal document. Record the intent and the details separately, in a dated and signed document instead - that is exactly what a proof of gift is for.

What should you keep as evidence?

• The bank statement of the transfer (amount, date, account numbers).
• A document in which giver and recipient confirm it was a gift, made without anything given in return.
• Ideally, a signature from both parties on that document - this makes the proof considerably stronger, even though a single signature is not legally required.

A document digitally signed by both parties with a qualified electronic signature (QES) carries the same legal weight as a handwritten signature and includes a verifiable timestamp - exactly what you need if the gift is ever disputed, for example during an inheritance.

Should you register the bank gift?

That is a separate decision with tax consequences: registering means paying gift tax now, but it eliminates the risk of the “suspect period”. Not registering is free, but the gift still counts if the giver dies within that period. Read how to weigh that trade-off in our guide to registering a gift and gift tax.