Antwerp Parks to Charge Non-Residents More to Curb Trouble

The province of Antwerp is set to increase entry prices at its recreational domains for visitors who do not live in the province, a measure designed to deter troublemakers and manage growing security concerns. The price hike, expected to take effect in 2027, will allow local residents to continue enjoying lower rates in recognition of their provincial tax contributions.

Background: A Growing Problem

Over the past several years, Antwerp’s provincial recreational domains — including De Nekker in Mechelen, Zilvermeer in Mol, and Lilse Bergen in Lille — have experienced a rise in disruptive behavior. Incidents have included vandalism, drug use, fence-climbing to avoid entry fees, and verbal and physical aggression toward staff.

According to VRT NWS, the province spent €266,000 on external security guards at De Nekker alone last year. On peak days, up to 12 security agents are deployed, sometimes with dogs. After a peak of incidents in 2022, the province installed 60 extra security cameras at De Nekker, raised fences, and added barbed wire in some areas.

Troublemakers and Access Bans

Mireille Colson (N-VA), Deputy of the Province of Antwerp, told VRT NWS that the situation has become untenable. “The last few weeks we’ve already had to issue 52 access bans at De Nekker in Mechelen for people guilty of vandalism, drug use, climbing over the fence to get in, and intimidating staff,” Colson said.

Last year, De Nekker issued 62 access bans — the highest number ever recorded for the domain. By late May 2026, before summer had officially begun, 20 bans had already been issued.

Igor Geubbelmans, Director of Zilvermeer Mol, described escalating tensions at his domain. “We’ve been noticing more intimidating and disrespectful behavior towards our staff lately. Towards the reception staff, security, but also the lifeguards, to such an extent that safety is compromised,” he said. “Lifeguards try to let everyone swim safely, but there are people who start arguing with them, ignore their instructions, and display verbal and even physically aggressive behavior. So bad that we have to call the police and have people removed from the premises.”

On June 5, 2026, Zilvermeer sent its first-ever request to the mayor of Mol for a place ban against an adult non-local individual.

The Price Increase Strategy

The province’s solution is a two-tier pricing system. Residents of Antwerp province will continue to pay lower rates, while non-residents will face higher entry fees. The exact amount of the increase is still under discussion by policymakers at the province and domain levels.

Currently, entry tickets at Zilvermeer cost €6 at the gate (€7 in high season), with online tickets €1 cheaper. Colson explained the rationale: “Residents of the province pay taxes and should therefore get an advantage in their own recreational domains. Non-Antwerp residents would pay more, as a form of priority and deterrence.”

The Black List Debate

The province is also pushing for a shared “black list” of problem visitors across all domains, modeled on the football hooligan law that can deny troublemakers access to multiple stadiums. However, this requires federal authority. Current Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR) has rejected the proposal.

“Currently we check identities and can keep out problem cases, often young people who come from Brussels to De Nekker, but that ‘black list’ from De Nekker can’t be shared with other provincial domains,” Colson said. “Only that’s a federal responsibility, analogous to the football law. But current Minister of the Interior Bernard Quintin (MR) is not immediately open to it.”

Broader Implications

The policy raises questions about access to publicly funded recreational spaces. The RTV network has noted that Brussels suffers from a shortage of swimming pools and open swimming water, which may drive young people to seek recreation in the Antwerp province. De Nekker is easily reachable by train from Brussels, a factor officials say contributes to the influx of visitors from outside the province.

Other Flemish provinces, including East Flanders, are also exploring similar measures, suggesting a broader trend toward differential pricing in public recreational spaces across the region.

What’s Next

The exact price increase amounts are still being negotiated, and the policy is expected to take effect in 2027. The effectiveness of the measure will likely be evaluated after the first season under the new pricing structure. Meanwhile, the province continues to seek alternative legal mechanisms for a shared black list, as the federal government remains opposed to the proposal.

Geubbelmans emphasized that the troublemakers represent a small minority. “Up to 150,000 visitors per year from across the Benelux. Most people don’t cause problems. A few spoil it sometimes for others and we can no longer tolerate that.”