No, printing is not legally required
There is no legal obligation to print an electronically signed lease in Belgium. The digital PDF has full legal value under the eIDAS Regulation and Belgian law. The signed PDF can be uploaded directly to MyRent for registration and presented as evidence in court. A printed copy is optional but can be practical.
The legal framework for electronic signatures in Belgium — based on the eIDAS Regulation (EU) 910/2014 and the Belgian Law of 21 July 2016 — establishes that a qualified electronic signature has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature. By extension, the digitally signed document has the same value as a paper original.
This means the electronically signed lease is the “original” — printing it actually creates a copy, not an original. The electronic version contains the cryptographic signature that can be verified for authenticity, while a printed version cannot.
When printing can be useful
While not legally required, printing an electronically signed lease can be practical in certain situations:
| Situation | Why printing helps |
|---|---|
| Bank deposit account | Some banks request a paper copy to open a rental deposit account |
| Municipal registration | Local authorities may ask for a lease copy when registering residency |
| Dealing with older landlords/tenants | Some parties are more comfortable with paper documents |
| Technical backup | Protection against file loss or corruption |
| Court proceedings | While digital is accepted, judges may request a paper copy |
If you do print the lease, note that the printed version is a copy of the original, not an original itself. The electronic signature is not visible on the printed version in the same way as a handwritten signature.
Leases signed via BailBelgique include a visual signature marker on the printed version and a QR code linking to the verification page. This makes the printed copy more practical while maintaining the digital original as the legally binding document.
Digital original vs printed copy
Understanding the difference between the digital original and a printed copy is important:
| Feature | Digital original | Printed copy |
|---|---|---|
| Legal value | Full legal value (original) | Copy (lower evidentiary value) |
| Signature verification | Can be verified cryptographically | Cannot be verified |
| Registration (MyRent) | Accepted for upload | Must be scanned back to digital |
| Court evidence | Accepted as primary evidence | Accepted as secondary evidence |
| Multiple copies | Unlimited identical copies | Each print is a separate copy |
| Number of originals | Only one needed | N/A (copies, not originals) |
The key advantage of electronic signing is that the requirement for multiple originals no longer applies. A single digital original replaces the traditional need for 3+ signed paper copies.
If you print the lease and then destroy the digital original, you lose the ability to verify the signature and may face difficulties proving the document’s authenticity. Always keep the digital PDF as your primary document and treat any printout as a convenience copy.
Regional specifics
Brussels-Capital Region
Brussels fully accepts electronically signed leases for all administrative purposes. The Brussels Housing Code does not require paper copies of leases. Municipal authorities in Brussels generally accept digital leases for residency registration.
Wallonia
Wallonia accepts digital leases for registration and administrative purposes. The Walloon Residential Lease Decree does not impose any paper-specific requirements. Some smaller municipalities may still request a printed copy for residency registration.
Flanders
Flanders is the most digitally advanced region and fully embraces electronic lease documents. The Flemish Housing Rental Decree does not require printed copies. Flemish municipalities widely accept digital leases for all administrative processes.
eIDAS Regulation (EU) 910/2014, art. 25(2) — A qualified electronic signature has the equivalent legal effect of a handwritten signature. Belgian Law of 21 July 2016 — National implementation confirming digital document validity.