Belgium
Belgium gained full freedom of panorama in 2016: you can now sell images of public buildings and art, including the once-restricted Atomium from public space.
Guidance, not legal advice
Permit
Conditional
Issuer: Municipality or site owner for commercial shoots; no permit for personal street photography
Cost: No permit for personal photography; commercial crews and managed sites need permission
Street photography needs no permit. Commercial shoots on public roads and at managed or interior sites need authorization.
Drone / airspace
Governed by EU EASA rules via the BCAA; operator registration required, with no-fly zones over much of Brussels
For category detail, see Drone Authority.
Street / public space
Yes to photograph, but Belgium has strong portrait rights; publishing a recognizable person generally needs consent
No consent needed when a person is incidental to a crowd or scene.
Freedom of panorama
Full
The Act of 27 June 2016 added Article XI.190(2/2), covering buildings and plastic or graphic artworks permanently in public places, including commercial use.
Practical notes
- The Atomium was the classic pre-2016 trap; photos from public space are now covered, though the rights holder still polices some uses.
- Freedom of panorama does not waive the portrait rights of recognizable people in frame.
Sources
Keep shooting
Knowing the rules is half the job. The craft side: