Belgium to Ban Under-18s From Buy Now, Pay Later Apps

Belgium is introducing a nationwide ban preventing anyone under 18 from using Buy Now, Pay Later services, following rising concerns about youth debt and the ease with which minors can accumulate financial obligations through frictionless digital payments. The new rules place BNPL providers under consumer-credit legislation, impose strict identity-verification requirements, and introduce penalties of up to €800,000 or 6% of annual turnover for non-compliance.

Belgium is tightening its consumer-protection net as the rapid rise of “Buy Now, Pay Later” services begins to cast longer shadows over young people’s finances of this country. With concerns mounting over how easily minors can slip into debt through frictionless digital checkout options, the federal government is moving to draw a firm line: no more BNPL for anyone under 18.

In more detail, this country will soon ban anyone under 18 from using Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) services such as Klarna as one of the examples, Consumer Protection Minister has announced just recently.

The change comes amid rising concerns about youth debt. More precisely, one in five BNPL users ends up in contact with debt collectors, and many are under 24 as the report states. The updated law will place all BNPL providers under consumer credit rules, preventing them from offering services to minors.

Companies that break the rules may face fines of up to €800,000 or 6% of annual turnover, and could be forced to use identity-verification tools like ItsMe or MyGov to enforce the age restriction in Belgium. 

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