Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. Quasi co-location (QCL) or spatial relation information, or both may be indicated for sidelink communications in a system. For example, a user equipment (UE) may receive control signaling that indicates a resource allocation for a sidelink communication link with another UE. The resource allocation may be configured or scheduled via control messaging from a base station, or may be selected (e.g., by a UE) from a set of resources. The UE may transmit an indication of a QCL relation, spatial relation data, or a combination thereof, to the other UE via a sidelink control channel. The UEs may then communicate over the sidelink communication link using the resource allocation and based on the QCL relation, the spatial relation data, or both.