Merchtem (pronounced [ˈmɛr(ə)xtɛm]) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant.

The municipality comprises the villages of Brussegem and Hamme, the hamlets of Ossel and Peizegem, and Merchtem proper.

After an internal struggle, the group split up in two parts, 'stichting Langevelde' and 'stichting Jan Vaderhasselt'.

On August 28, 2006 mayor Eddie de Block introduced a ban on speaking French in the town's schools.

A previous ban on signs in languages different from Dutch in the town's markets had been overturned by Flemish Interior Minister Marino Keulen.