The French Community continues to allow adoption of a child from abroad (but the procedure changes)

Unlike Flanders, the French Community is not putting an end to intercountry adoptions. However, the procedure will be adjusted, placing greater emphasis on the needs of the child from now on. The responsible minister, Valerie Lescrenier (Les Engagés), announced this on Friday.

Earlier this year, the Flemish government agreed to phase out intercountry adoptions . The agreement came after persistent reports of problematic adoption cases. “It is time to close this chapter,” said the responsible minister, Caroline Gennez (Vooruit), at the time.

It is only a last resort

Competent Minister Valerie Lescrenier (Les Engagés)

Needs of children

After months of deliberation and consultation with the field, the Government of the French Community decided to adjust the framework to reverse the logic. Instead of continuing to start from the needs of prospective adoptive parents, the needs of the children will henceforth be the starting point.

“International adoption is first and foremost a protective measure for the child,” says Minister Lescrenier. “It is merely a last resort, when the authorities in the country of origin have determined that no suitable solution could be found within the immediate family, the extended family, the community, or through adoption in one’s own country.”

With the reform, the government aims to provide more legal certainty.

International adoptions decline

The number of adoptions from abroad has fallen sharply in French-speaking Belgium in recent years. From 121 cases in 2012, that figure dropped to 31 in 2022 and 15 in 2025. With its reform, the government aims to provide greater legal certainty for future proceedings and prevent adoptions from taking place on “insufficiently verified grounds”.

Therefore, a country-by-country evaluation will be conducted by a recognized independent body that will examine the international partnerships. The countries of origin are divided into three categories according to the level of “vigilance” to be applied.