Warning, borrowing money also costs money.
Consumer Credit: The Partner for Your Life Projects
Consumer credit is a financial tool designed to help you achieve your personal projects, from the smallest to the largest. Discover the different solutions available in Belgium and Luxembourg and find the one that perfectly matches your ambitions and your budget.
Find your credit solutionLegal Notice
** A loan commits you and must be repaid. Check your repayment capabilities before committing. The rates indicated are for information purposes only and subject to approval of your application.
What is Consumer Credit? The Complete Guide
Consumer Credit covers all loans granted to individuals to finance the purchase of goods or services, excluding any real estate projects. In Belgium, as in Luxembourg, it is strictly regulated by law (notably the Code of Economic Law) to protect the borrower.
It comes in several forms, each adapted to specific needs. The goal is to give you access to a sum of money for a specific project, which you will then repay over an agreed period, with interest.
The two main families of consumer credit:
The Specific-Purpose Loan
This loan is directly linked to a specific purchase. You must provide proof (order form, invoice). Examples: a car loan for a car, a renovation loan for home improvements.
Advantage: The interest rate is often more attractive.
The Unrestricted Loan (Personal Loan)
Here, you are free to use the funds as you see fit, without providing proof of purchase. It’s the most flexible solution. The Personal Loan is the most common form of this type of credit.
Advantage: Total freedom and quick approval.
Free • No obligation • Quick initial decision
How to choose the right credit for your project?
The choice of your consumer credit depends above all on the nature of your project and your priorities:
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Analyze your needs: Is it a single, well-defined expense (a car) or several projects (decoration, travel, an unforeseen event)? For a specific purchase, a specific-purpose loan may be a good option. For more flexibility, a personal loan is ideal.
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Assess your repayment capacity: Use our simulator to estimate the monthly payment that best fits your budget. Never get over-indebted. A comfortable monthly payment is the key to a successful loan.
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Compare offers on a solid basis: The APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is the only indicator that allows you to compare the total cost of several credit offers. It includes all fees.
Our role is to guide you through this process to find the fairest and most advantageous financing solution for your personal situation.
The Personal Loan: The Ultimate Consumer Solution
Among consumer credits, the Personal Loan stands out for its perfect balance of flexibility and security.
Freedom of Use
Finance what you want, when you want, without needing to provide an invoice or order form to justify your expenses.
Secure Framework
The amount, duration, rate, and monthly payments are fixed and defined from the start. You have full control over your budget, with no surprises.
Simplicity and Speed
The application process is simplified and fast. After analysis and approval, the funds are quickly transferred to your account.
This is why the Personal Loan is the consumer credit solution we recommend for most personal projects.
Key Concepts to Master
To make an informed choice, it is essential to understand a few technical terms:
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APR (Annual Percentage Rate): This is the total cost of your credit, expressed as an annual percentage. It includes the interest rate (debit rate) and all related fees. It is the ultimate comparison tool.
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Borrowed capital: This is the sum of money the lender makes available to you.
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Monthly payment (or installment): This is the fixed amount you repay each month. It consists of a portion of the capital and the interest.
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Information Sheet (SECCI/ESIS): This is a standardized European document that summarizes all the features of the credit offer. You must receive it before signing the contract.
Knowing these elements allows you to speak on equal terms with your advisor and to commit with full knowledge of the facts.
Responsible Financing for a Peaceful Future
Consumer credit is a powerful tool, provided it is taken out in a thoughtful and responsible manner.
Check your borrowing capacity
First and foremost, ensure the future monthly payment will not be too heavy a burden on your budget. A loan should not become a source of stress.
Adapt the duration to your project
A shorter duration means a lower total cost, but higher monthly payments. Find the right balance with the help of our advisors.
Consider protecting yourself
Payment protection insurance is valuable security for you and your loved ones in case of a serious unforeseen event (death, disability).
Warning, borrowing money also costs money. Our mission is to ensure that your credit remains a solution and not a problem.
They financed their projects with our solutions
“We had several small expenses for the house and a trip in the works. The advisor at CPE Crédit guided us toward a Personal Loan that covered all our needs. It was simple, and everything was clear from the start.”
“For my training course, I needed fast financing. I was able to do the whole simulation online and get a quick approval in principle. The consumer credit was the perfect solution to invest in my future.”
FAQ: Consumer Credit
Find answers to the most common questions about consumer credit, its different forms, and its approval conditions in Belgium and Luxembourg.
The main difference lies in the purpose of the loan and the collateral. A mortgage is exclusively for financing the purchase or construction of a property and is secured by a mortgage on that property. The process is lengthy and involves a notary.
Consumer credit finances all other personal projects (car, furniture, travel, studies…). It generally does not require real collateral like a mortgage, making the process much simpler and faster.
There is no single maximum amount set by law, but it is generally accepted that consumer loans cover amounts ranging from a few thousand euros up to €75,000, €100,000, or even more, depending on the institution and the type of loan.
The amount you will be granted depends mainly on your repayment capacity, assessed based on your income, expenses, and overall financial situation. Our goal is to offer you a realistic and sustainable amount.
It depends on the type of consumer credit:
- Yes, for a specific-purpose loan: If you apply for a car loan, you will need to provide the vehicle’s order form.
- No, for an unrestricted loan: With a Personal Loan, you can use the funds freely without having to provide any invoices. This is the most flexible solution.
Consulting the Central Individual Credit Register (CICR) of the NBB is a legal and mandatory step for any lender in Belgium. If you are “listed” for a payment default on another loan, obtaining a new loan becomes very difficult, if not impossible.
This measure is intended to protect you from over-indebtedness. The best solution is to regularize your situation with the relevant creditor before submitting a new loan application.
The process for a consumer loan is designed to be fast. Once you have submitted your complete application with all the supporting documents, you can receive an initial decision very quickly (sometimes within a few hours).
After the final approval of your file and the signing of the contract, the funds are usually transferred to your bank account within 48 business hours, after the legal withdrawal period has expired, if applicable.
Responsible lending is a commitment made by both the lender and the borrower.
- For the lender: It is the obligation to thoroughly check your repayment capacity to avoid putting you in financial difficulty, to inform you transparently (via the APR and the SECCI/ESIS sheet), and to offer you the most suitable solution.
- For the borrower: It is the duty to be honest about your financial situation, not to try to borrow beyond your means, and to fully understand the terms of the contract before committing.
At CPE Crédit, we place responsible lending at the heart of our business.