Belgium is exploring plans to transfer foreign prisoners to Estonia as part of efforts to tackle chronic overcrowding in its prison system, the government announced on Monday.
Belgian justice and asylum ministers said they will travel to the Estonian capital, Tallinn, for two days of talks with Estonian officials to assess the possibility of renting prison space in the Baltic state. The visit will include meetings with Estonia’s justice and digital affairs minister, as well as a tour of a prison facility in Tallinn.
The move follows similar discussions with Kosovo and Albania, making Estonia the third country considered by Belgium’s government under Prime Minister Bart De Wever as part of a broader strategy to reduce the number of foreign inmates held in Belgian prisons.
In a joint statement, the Belgian justice and asylum ministries said that around one-third of the country’s prison population — out of roughly 13,000 inmates — are foreign nationals who do not have the legal right to remain in Belgium. The government said it is reviewing all available options to relieve pressure on the prison system and strengthen public security.
One of the options under consideration is renting or building prison facilities outside Belgian territory, the statement said.
According to Belgium’s prison administration, the country currently holds 13,501 prisoners, while official prison capacity stands at just 11,049 places. Prison guard unions have repeatedly warned about the worsening conditions, with around 600 inmates reportedly forced to sleep on the floor due to lack of space.
The talks with Estonia underline growing pressure on European prison systems and highlight Belgium’s search for cross-border solutions to manage illegal immigration, detention capacity, and public safety concerns.
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