Planning travel to Ghent? Speak with a security consultant.
What are the main security threats in Ghent?
Petty Crime
Federal Police (Federale Politie) data for Ghent record pickpocketing at the Graslei and Korenlei waterfront and in the historic city centre, particularly during the Gentse Feesten festival in July, which the City of Ghent data estimates draws up to one million visitors. Peak tourist season from May to September elevates theft opportunity throughout the historic centre.
Demonstrations
FCDO Belgium (2024) advises avoiding demonstrations. Ghent sees student-linked protests and environmental demonstrations; some have resulted in disorder, documented in Belgian Federal Police incident data for 2022 and 2023. Demonstrations typically affect the city centre and university district.
Night-Time Economy
Ghent has an active student and night-time economy. The Overpoort student bar street and the Patershol district see elevated disorder risk in evening hours, particularly at weekends. This is relevant to hotel selection; principals should be accommodated away from the Overpoort corridor.
Port and Industrial Site Context
The Ghent-Terneuzen Canal zone hosts heavy industry including ArcelorMittal and Volvo Cars Belgium. Port and industrial site access requires advance coordination with site security functions. The industrial corridor creates specific logistics planning requirements for transfers between Ghent city centre and canal zone facilities.
Vetted operators with direct experience in Ghent
What security services are available in Ghent?
Executive Close Protection
Belgian-licensed close protection for industrial sector visitors, including executives from ArcelorMittal and Volvo Cars Belgium, and pharma and biotech principals visiting UCB and Ablynx with Ghent operations.
Secure Transport and Security Driving
Vetted drivers for Brussels Airport (BRU, 55km), Ostend-Bruges Airport (80km) transfers, Eurostar connections, and industrial site circuits in the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal zone.
Residential and Estate Security
Security assessment and management for executive accommodation during extended assignments at Ghent-area industrial operations.
Event and Conference Security
Security coordination for Gentse Feesten VIP management, Flanders Expo trade and industrial events, and private corporate events in Ghent's historic venues.
What are the rules for private security in Ghent?
Key regulatory requirements for operating security services in Ghent.
Firearms Policy
Security officers in Belgium may carry a weapon only with a permit to carry arms (autorisation de port d'armes) issued by the Minister of the Interior. Firearms in general are governed by the Law of 8 June 2006 regulating economic and individual activities with weapons.
Licensing
Private security is governed by the Law of 2 October 2017 regulating private and particular security (loi réglementant la sécurité privée et particulière). Protection of persons is one of its guarding activities. A company must obtain prior authorisation from the Minister of the Interior, handled by the Private Security Directorate of the FPS Interior, and every officer must carry an identification card and hold training certificates from an approved body.
Foreign Operators
Foreign companies may apply to the FPS Interior for the same authorisation, using forms for foreign guarding companies. Without it they may not offer protection of persons in Belgium. Ask any provider for its FPS Interior authorisation and each officer's identification card.
Sources, checked : FPS Interior (BeSafe), Autorisations et activités; FPS Interior (BeSafe), Législation sécurité privée; FPS Interior (BeSafe), Agent de gardiennage brochure; Belgian Chamber of Representatives, bill 52K0474 amending the Law of 8 June 2006 on weapons.
Which areas of Ghent carry elevated risk?
Lower-Risk Areas
- Citadelpark and Leopoldspark: Residential park district south of the historic centre; lower crime density, suitable for executive accommodation away from the tourist core.
- Drongen: Western residential suburb with access to the E40 motorway for Brussels and Antwerp; quieter than the city centre, suitable for extended assignments.
Elevated-Risk Areas
- Graslei and Korenlei waterfront: Primary tourist concentration; pickpocketing documented by Federal Police during Gentse Feesten and throughout the peak tourist season.
- Overpoort student entertainment street: Elevated disorder and theft risk, particularly on weekend evenings; not suitable for principal accommodation.
Deploying to Ghent? Get a vetted close protection detail.
Request ConsultationWho do you call in an emergency in Ghent?
Emergency (all services)
112
Police (Federale Politie)
101
Ambulance and Fire
100
British Embassy Brussels
+32 2 287 62 11
US Embassy Brussels
+32 2 811 4000
UZ Gent (Universitair Ziekenhuis Gent, Ghent University Hospital), C. Heymanslaan 10
+32 9 332 21 11
UZ Gent emergency department (spoedopname)
+32 9 332 50 24
What travel advisories apply to Ghent?
- Federal Police (Federale Politie) data document pickpocketing at Graslei and throughout Ghent's historic centre; risk is elevated significantly during Gentse Feesten (July) when up to one million visitors are present (City of Ghent data).
- FCDO Belgium (2024) advises avoiding demonstrations; student and environmental protests in Ghent have resulted in disorder incidents documented by Belgian Federal Police in 2022 and 2023.
- The Belgian Loi du 2 octobre 2017 requires SPF Interieur authorisation for all private security firms; verify credentials before engagement.
- Nearest major hospital: UZ Gent (Ghent University Hospital), Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent; telephone +32 9 332 21 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the security situation during Gentse Feesten?
What industrial sector visits require security support in Ghent?
How does the Belgian private security licensing framework work?
Is Brussels Airport the best option for Ghent visits?
How does Ghent compare to Brussels and Antwerp as a security environment?
This page is published by CloseProtectionHire.com and written to editorial standards overseen by James Calloway, Senior Security Consultant (regulation, licensing, vetting and risk frameworks) and Marcus Webb, Security Operations Adviser (operational close protection, secure transport and city-specific safety).
Threat, regulatory and emergency information is sourced to named, dated authorities such as the FCDO, the US State Department and national licensing bodies. Last updated . See how we verify.