Ensuring your electrical installation meets standards: why, when, and how to go about it

A circuit breaker that trips for no reason, a socket that overheats, an old fuse box in the basement. We get used to it, until the day we sell our house or want to install a charging station. According to the FPS Economy, electrical installation faults are the cause of many fires and electrocutions. Bringing your installation up to standard is not just a formality: it’s about your safety, the value of your home and your peace of mind. Here’s what the rules say in Belgium, and how to go about it.

What exactly are the standards?

In Belgium, electrical installations must comply with the General Regulations on Electrical Installations, or RGIE. For residential properties, it is Book 1 that applies. It was approved by the royal decree of 8 September 2019 and has been in force since 1 June 2020.

A "compliant" installation is one that meets these regulations and is recognised as such by an approved inspection body. It is not the electrician who gives the green light, but an independent body approved by the authorities. The list of these bodies is published by the FPS Economy.

Good to know: the safety requirements for domestic installations fall under federal authority. The inspection rules are therefore the same in Brussels, Wallonia and Flanders.

When is an inspection mandatory?

The FPS Economy lists five situations where you must have your installation inspected by an approved body:

• before putting into use a new installation;
• when making a significant modification or extension, such as adding a circuit to the fuse box;
• before requesting an increase in connection power to the grid;
• when selling a property;
• periodically: for a domestic installation deemed compliant, the next inspection takes place every 25 years.

During an inspection, you must provide at least the single-line diagram and the location plans of the installation. These documents are part of the installation file, which is passed on to the new owner. If you rent, your tenant holds a copy.

Selling or buying: what changes

This is often when the question arises. Here are the rules in force in 2026, according to the FPS Economy.

Seller’s side

The "sale" inspection applies to old domestic installations that have not undergone a compliance check after 1 October 1981. In this case, the seller must arrange for an inspection visit. The report is handed over to the buyer at the time of the deed of sale, and this handover is mentioned in the deed.

The seller is not obliged to bring the installation up to standard. There is an exception to the inspection: if the seller and buyer agree that the installation will be completely renovated or that the property will be demolished. This agreement is then included in the deed, and the buyer must inform the FPS Economy.

Buyer’s side

If the report is negative, it is up to the buyer to act. From the date of the authentic deed, they must:

• provide their identity and the date of the deed to the body that carried out the inspection;
• carry out the necessary work within 18 months;
• have a new inspection of the entire installation carried out within the same period, by the approved body of their choice.

If this new inspection is still negative, they have 12 months to correct the issues, with a follow-up inspection by the same body. If it is positive, the next inspection will take place in 25 years, unless a significant modification is made in the meantime.

Remember: if you are selling, check now on the FPS Economy website whether your installation is subject to the "sale" inspection, so you don’t find out at the notary’s office.

Warning signs

Even without a sale or work planned, certain signs justify calling in a professional:

• circuit breakers or fuses that trip often;
• a socket or switch that heats up, crackles or blackens;
• a burning or hot plastic smell near the fuse box;
• ungrounded sockets, especially in the bathroom or kitchen;
• an old fuse box without a residual current device;
• extension cords and power strips daisy-chained due to insufficient sockets;
• an installation that no one remembers when was last inspected.

In case of immediate danger (smoke, sparks, persistent burning smell), turn off the power at the meter if you can do so safely, and call emergency services on 112 if necessary.

Do not DIY electrical work

Changing a light bulb, yes. Adding a circuit, moving a socket or replacing a fuse box, no. These jobs require specific skills, and a mistake can cause a fire or electrocution, sometimes long after.

Remember that a significant modification or extension must be inspected by an approved body before being put into use. And a non-compliant installation will always cost you: at inspection, at sale, or worse, on the day of an incident.

For anything related to your installation, call a qualified electrician.

Choosing a qualified electrician

A good electrician is not only judged by their reviews. Here are a few points to check:

• Their business number. A professional is registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises.
• Their professional competence. In Brussels and Wallonia, a company carrying out electrotechnical activities must prove its professional competence (diploma, experience or examination). In Flanders, this access condition was abolished in 2019, but the technical rules of the RGIE and inspections remain the same. Everywhere, ask about their background and qualifications.
• Their experience with inspections. Ask if they regularly prepare installations for inspection and if they draw up the necessary diagrams and plans.
• Their reviews. Look for reviews that mention clean work, met deadlines and successful inspections. Our tips on reading online reviews will help.

Getting a clear quote

For bringing an installation up to standard, the quote must be precise. Check that it includes:

• a detailed breakdown of the work, circuit by circuit if possible;
• the materials planned (fuse box, residual current devices, sockets, cables);
• whether the single-line diagram and location plans are included;
• who arranges the inspection by the approved body, and whether its cost is included;
• what happens if the inspection still reveals violations;
• the total including VAT and the execution time.

Compare at least two or three quotes for the same scope. Our article on hidden costs in quotes highlights the lines to watch out for.

How Pambe can help

On Pambe, you can search for an electrician near you without creating an account. The electricians directory lets you compare profiles in your area, with their description, availability if they provide it, and their reviews or public rating.

The badges help you filter. "Verified" means the phone number has been confirmed and, for a professional, that the business number is valid. "Certified" means a diploma or certification has been validated by the Pambe team. Pambe connects you but does not replace the approved inspection body: only they can certify the compliance of your installation.

Describe your situation (sale, old fuse box, adding a circuit, charging station) and contact the electrician that suits you directly, even without an account.

Find a qualified electrician near you on Pambe: it’s with no commitment.