Brussels Airport Valet Parking Scandal: Cars Stolen, Heavily Damaged, and Missing
An investigation by Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws (HLN) has uncovered widespread problems at valet parking services operating near Brussels Airport, including cases of stolen vehicles, cars returned with extensive damage, and one vehicle declared a total loss just hours after being dropped off. The findings, published across multiple articles in May 2026, raise serious questions about the safety and reliability of these services as the summer holiday season approaches.
The Victims’ Stories
According to HLN’s investigation, a couple from Deerlijk in West Flanders booked a valet parking space through Parkos, a comparison and booking platform similar to Booking.com for parking. While on vacation in Marrakech, Morocco, they tracked their BMW X5 via a GPS tracker as it moved through Machelen, Brussels, and Anderlecht before stopping in Tournai, near the French border, with the trunk open. A Porsche was also stolen from the same parking on the same day. “To this day there is still no trace of my BMW. Unbelievable,” the anonymous owner told HLN.
Ebert Boudry (28), a baker from Dikkebus near Ieper, returned from a vacation in Spain to find his BMW X5 heavily damaged with nearly 1,000 extra kilometers on the odometer. According to HLN’s report, the damage was estimated at €15,000. He also received a speeding ticket from Schaarbeek incurred while he was on the plane. “They think shady things have been done with my car,” Boudry said.
Marc Daniëls from Genk left his brand-new Citroën C5 Aircross — with only 2,400 kilometers on the clock — at a drop-off parking on January 3, 2026. Two hours later, it was involved in an accident in a dead-end street and declared a total loss. As HLN reported, Daniëls was still charged the €180 parking fee. “You pay 180 euros to park your car safely during your vacation. Then you don’t expect someone to cause an accident with it while you’re in Egypt,” he said.
Criminal Investigations Underway
The public prosecutor’s office in Halle-Vilvoorde has confirmed multiple ongoing criminal investigations into malpractices at parking companies near Brussels Airport. Spokesperson Lieve Chrispeels told HLN that victims often file complaints with their local police zones, meaning the prosecutor’s office may not yet be aware of all recent incidents.
In 2024, a parking company from Zaventem was convicted by the correctional court for breach of trust and multiple violations of the Economic Law Code, receiving high fines, suspended prison sentences, and professional bans for its managers.
How the System Works
Travelers typically book through intermediary platforms like Parkos, which claims all partner parkings are “personally inspected and meet strict quality and safety standards.” Customers drive to a designated drop-off point at or near Brussels Airport, hand over their car and keys to an employee, who then parks the vehicle at a lot in nearby municipalities such as Machelen, Diegem, or Haren.
However, HLN reporters who visited multiple partner locations could not reach any responsible person. Parkos refused to comment when contacted.
Consumer Protection Advice
HLN consumer expert Safia Yachou advises travelers to check whether parking facilities have working camera surveillance, scrutinize company reviews on Google and Trustpilot, and take photos and videos of the dashboard, odometer, and exterior before departure. She emphasizes that when customers hand over their keys, a legal contract is formed, and the operator has a duty to return the vehicle in the same condition. If damaged, the parking company is liable.
What’s Next
With the summer holiday season approaching, thousands of travelers may be at risk of similar incidents. The Parket Halle-Vilvoorde recommends that victims file complaints with the police. Questions remain about whether Parkos and the involved parking companies will face legal consequences, whether Brussels Airport will take measures to regulate valet services, and whether regulatory changes will follow to better protect consumers.