Belgium's linguistic legislation is among the most complex in the world. Mobile app localisation in Belgium means getting Dutch and French right - not just in translation, but in interface design, store listings, and compliance with language laws that carry real legal weight. TranslateBE helps Belgian companies and international publishers reach every user in their preferred language.
Belgium's language legislation and app publishers
Belgium's language laws - rooted in the 1932 and 1980 Language Laws and the coordinated laws on the use of languages in administrative matters - govern which languages must be used in communications with employees, consumers, and public bodies in each region. In Flanders, Dutch is mandatory for workplace communications, consumer-facing interfaces, and company documentation. In Wallonia, French holds this position. In Brussels, both Dutch and French are official, and any consumer-facing application must offer both. An app published for Belgian users that lacks a proper Dutch interface risks not only poor user experience - it risks regulatory scrutiny and damage to the publisher's reputation in the Flemish market.
What proper app localisation involves
Localisation goes far beyond word-for-word translation of strings. For a Belgian audience, it includes adapting date formats (DD/MM/YYYY), currency (EUR), address formats, and telephone number conventions. It means reviewing UI layouts for text expansion - Dutch strings are typically 20-30% longer than their English equivalents, which can break button labels and navigation menus. It also means ensuring that App Store and Google Play listings are fully localised in both Dutch (nl-BE) and French (fr-BE), as these listings directly affect discoverability and conversion in the Belgian market.
TranslateBE
App localisation for the Belgian market
TranslateBE localises mobile and web applications for Belgian users - Dutch, French, and English - including UI strings, App Store listings, and help documentation.
Localising for Flemish and Walloon users simultaneously
Building a single app that serves both Flemish and Walloon users requires careful architecture from the start. Ideally, the application should support at least two locale configurations: nl-BE and fr-BE. TranslateBE works directly with development teams to integrate localisation into the build pipeline - using industry-standard formats such as XLIFF, JSON, or PO files - and with product managers to ensure that any future feature additions are localised as part of the release cycle rather than as an afterthought. This systematic approach prevents the accumulation of untranslated strings that plague many Belgian apps.
Common mistakes in Belgian app localisation
The most frequent errors TranslateBE encounters are: using generic European French (fr-FR) rather than Belgian French (fr-BE), which has specific vocabulary differences particularly in numbers (70 rather than septante, 90 rather than nonante); using standard Netherlands Dutch (nl-NL) rather than Belgian Dutch, which differs in idiomatic expression and formality; and failing to localise payment method options - Belgian users expect to see Bancontact as a payment option, not just Visa and Mastercard.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Belgian French different from French French?
Yes, in important ways. Belgian French uses septante for 70, nonante for 90, and quatre-vingt or octante for 80 in some regions. Some vocabulary differs - Belgians say un GSM for a mobile phone, for instance. A properly localised app uses fr-BE locale settings and Belgian vocabulary rather than defaulting to Parisian French.
Do I need to submit separate App Store listings for Belgian French and Belgian Dutch?
Yes. The App Store and Google Play support separate locale configurations for nl-BE and fr-BE. Having distinct, properly localised listings for each language improves your app's discoverability in search, increases conversion rates, and demonstrates commitment to Belgian users. TranslateBE provides App Store Optimization (ASO) copywriting as part of its localisation service.
How do you handle ongoing localisation as the app is updated?
TranslateBE offers ongoing localisation retainer arrangements for apps with frequent release cycles. We integrate with your project management tools (Jira, Linear, Notion) and localisation platforms (Phrase, Lokalise, Crowdin) to ensure new strings are translated and reviewed before each release. This prevents the common problem of English strings appearing in localised interfaces after updates.