How to pawn an item in Belgium at the country's last public pawnshop

The last public pawnshop still open in Belgium

Historians count more than twenty Belgian monts-de-piété; one after another they all closed, except the one in Brussels. Opened on 28 September 1618 in Rue du Lombard, it moved around 1860 to Rue Saint-Ghislain, where it still receives borrowers today.

Public status and the Act of 30 April 1848

The institution reports to the City of Brussels and is also known as the Caisse Publique de Prêts. It is governed by the Act of 30 April 1848, which in its own view grants it a de facto monopoly, and by organic regulations adopted by the City Council.

Who can borrow at Rue Saint-Ghislain

Four conditions are enough: being of age or an emancipated minor, living in the European Union, showing valid identification and owning an item of value. Neither nationality nor employment status, whether employed, unemployed or retired, is taken into account.

What you can deposit

The official list shows 17 categories, ranging from jewellery to wines and spirits, by way of paintings, silverware, leather goods and musical instruments. The breakdown by type is set out in our guide to items accepted for pawning in Belgium.

Loan amount and free valuation

The appraisers set the probable resale value at public auction, and the loan generally reaches 50 to 70% of that valuation, with a minimum of €30. Valuation is free and needs no appointment; turning down the offer costs nothing.

6.5% rate, then 10.5% after an extension

The initial contract costs 6.5% a year, or 3.25% over 180 days, calculated per fortnight, then 10.5% from the first extension onwards. The file-opening fee amounts to 3.5% of the estimated value, capped at €60.

Six months, renewable without limit

Each period lasts 180 days and can be extended indefinitely as long as interest and fees are paid, including remotely. Early repayment is always allowed without penalty; the details are on the page about the term of a pawn loan in Belgium.

Public sale if the loan is not repaid

If payment is not made, the pledged item goes to public sale, after a free letter sent at least 30 days before it is entered for sale. According to the institution, 95% of loans are repaid and only 5% of items end up at auction in Brussels.

The surplus belongs to the depositor

When the hammer price exceeds the debt, the excess, known as the sale surplus (boni), goes entirely to the borrower. The Mont-de-Piété says it pays out more than one million euros in surplus every year. Without a known bank account, a surplus unclaimed for two years is forfeited to it.

Cash payments capped since May 2025

Since 5 May 2025, a customer may not pay more than €3,000 in cash per calendar month. Above that amount, payment is made by Bancontact at the counter or by bank transfer. The Transparency page also publishes the Act of 18 September 2017 on money laundering.

Confidentiality and public documents

Staff are bound by professional secrecy under Articles 458 and 459 of the Belgian Criminal Code. The institution publishes its 2025 general terms, its conditions of sale and its management reports for 2020 to 2024, and states that it has received no subsidy since 2014.

How it differs from the French system

In France, Article D514-7 of the Code monétaire et financier limits a pawn loan to two years, extensions included, whereas Brussels allows unlimited extensions. To compare the two models, see our overview of the Mont-de-Piété in France.

The reference institution

• Mont-de-Piété de la Ville de Bruxelles: Public institution reporting to the City of Brussels, founded in 1618, which describes itself as the only pawnbroker in Belgium.

Borrowing from the Mont-de-Piété in six steps

1. Check that the item falls into one of the 17 official categories and, if in doubt, ask for a preliminary valuation by photo or phone.
2. Gather identification proving a European address, plus the invoice or certificate required for the type of pledge.
3. Go to the counter in Rue Saint-Ghislain, open Monday to Friday, with late closing at 6pm on Tuesdays.
4. Receive the appraisers' valuation and, if the offer suits you, sign the contract; the loan is paid in cash or by transfer.
5. Before the 180 days are up, repay the capital and interest, or pay the interest to extend for a new period.
6. If you default, watch for the letter announcing the sale, then claim any surplus within two years.

Fee schedule recorded in October 2026

Documents required at the Brussels counter

• Valid identity card or passport proving an address in the European Union
• Proof of address if it does not appear on the identity document
• Purchase invoice, compulsory for leather goods and luxury accessories
• Certificate of authenticity for a work of art valued at more than €2,500
• CITES certificate for certain exotic leathers
• Legalised power of attorney to act on behalf of someone else

Common mistakes made by Belgian borrowers

• Looking for another public pawnbroker in Wallonia or Flanders, when according to the institution Brussels houses the country's last public pawnshop.
• Letting day 180 pass without paying: late-payment interest of 0.5% of the capital per fortnight is added from day 181.
• Forgetting that an extension raises the annual rate from 6.5% to 10.5%, which makes a long-held loan noticeably more expensive.
• Bringing more than €3,000 in cash in one month to repay, when this limit has applied since 5 May 2025.
• Failing to provide a bank account number, which risks losing a surplus left unclaimed two years after the sale.

General information, up to date as of October 2026 and non-contractual: always check the terms with the Crédit Municipal or the institution concerned.