Must a festival accept cash?
Yes. The Law of 9 February 2024, published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 21 March 2024, inserted into the Code of Economic Law (Article VI.7/5) an obligation for businesses to accept cash payments when the consumer pays in person. It has been in force since 31 March 2024.
The notion of business is broad: it also covers non-profit associations (ASBL/VZW), municipalities when they carry out an economic activity (a swimming pool, a cultural centre) and public bodies for activities that do not fall under their statutory public-interest mission.
There are two exceptions. A business may limit the value of the banknotes it accepts when a note offered is disproportionate. It may also temporarily refuse cash for duly justified security reasons, provided it informs the consumer in a clear, comprehensible and clearly visible way.
Can a festival make cashless mandatory?
Yes, under conditions. On 6 June 2024, the FPS Economy published guidelines on the use of event-specific means of payment, such as a wristband, a card or tokens. The public must be able to obtain this means of payment with cash or by electronic payment.
The code of conduct of the festival sector federations adds an information rule: the organiser states in advance on its website whether payment with its own means of payment is mandatory, clearly and before the ticket is sold.
What rules apply to top-ups and fees?
The festival code of conduct sets out four principles:
- The festival’s own means of payment can be topped up with cash and by electronic payment, with no minimum amount.
- Any fees are strictly proportionate, transparent and justified, and their total may not exceed the value of a standard drink at the festival.
- These fees are announced in writing on the organiser’s website, before the means of payment is activated.
- Prices are displayed in euros and in the festival currency, using round figures to make conversion easier.
How should unused balances be refunded?
The FPS Economy guidelines do not make refunds mandatory: a festival that offers refunds may charge fees, provided it clearly informs festivalgoers beforehand. The federations’ code of conduct goes further: festivalgoers must be able to recover their entire remaining balance, with no minimum balance required.
| Rule | What the code of conduct provides |
|---|---|
| Opening of requests | No later than the third working day after the last day of the festival |
| Length of the period | At least one month from opening |
| Refund deadline | Within 7 days of the request |
| Minimum balance | None: the entire remaining balance is refundable |
| Announcement | By email, on the website, on social media and in the app where applicable |
| Information | Procedure and fees communicated in writing at each top-up |
What does the 2026 bill change?
A bill tabled in the Chamber (DOC 56 1738/001) seeks to regulate the sector further. Two measures stand out: 30 days to request a refund, then 30 days to process it, and refund fees capped at €1. YZYflow is cited in it as an example of good practice.
This is a bill: check its progress on the Chamber’s website before relying on it.
In 2026, 86.7% of refunds processed with YZYflow already met this cap, and 76.15% were processed at no cost to the festivalgoer.
Does the FPS Economy inspect festivals?
Yes. In summer 2024, the FPS Economy inspected twelve music festivals: nine fully complied with the guidelines. One festival received an official report (procès-verbal) for an incomplete and unclear conversion table, and two received a warning, one for insufficient communication about refunds, the other for limited options to pay in cash.
Is your festival ready? The checklist
- State on your website, before tickets go on sale, whether cashless payment is mandatory.
- Allow top-ups with cash and by electronic payment, with no minimum amount.
- Display prices in euros and in your festival currency, using round figures.
- Cap total fees at the value of a standard drink, and announce them in writing before activation.
- Restate the refund procedure and fees in writing at each top-up.
- Open refund requests no later than the third working day after the festival, for at least one month.
- Refund within 7 days of each request.
How YZYflow helps you
YZY Pay was designed for this hybrid model: top-ups with cash or card, payment by wristband, NFC card, bank card or QR code, and online refunds with fees announced in advance. We have been encouraging our clients to follow the FPS Economy guidelines for more than two years.
Discover YZY Pay Book a meeting
Sources
- FPS Economy (Forum for the Future), “Obligation to accept cash payments in person”
- FPS Economy (Forum for the Future), “3 out of 4 festivals comply with the legal rules”, 18 November 2024
- Festival federations, “Festival Payments Code of Conduct”
- Chamber of Representatives, bill DOC 56 1738/001
- YZYflow, press release
This article provides information on the rules known at the date it was last updated. It is not a substitute for legal advice.