The government is adjusting taxes by raising the corporate tax for management companies, increasing VAT on certain goods and services, and doubling the financial assets tax.
Belgium’s government reached a budget agreement for 2026 on 24 November 2025 after months of tense negotiations, Prime Minister Bart De Wever announced.
Following a Christmas deadline he set for his five-party coalition, he reached a deal that includes tax increases on share purchases, airplane tickets, and natural gas, as well as a new tax on banks. The government is introducing several tax adjustments targeting both energy consumption and general spending.
Corporate tax and financial sector adjustments
Management companies will face a higher corporate tax rate, rising from 15% to 18%, reflecting an increase in the conditional dividend withholding tax. Meanwhile, the securities account tax (on financial assets) will double from 0.15% to 0.3%, and a new bank tax is being introduced.
Additionally, a new solidarity tax of 10% will apply to capital gains from financial assets such as stocks and cryptocurrencies, effective 1 January 2026.
VAT and excise duty changes
The VAT rate for takeaway food, hotel stays, campsites, sports, and leisure activities, including tickets for major events, will rise to 12%. VAT on pesticides will increase to 21%, while certain items, such as soft drinks, will see a decrease. Excise duties on residential natural gas will gradually rise, while electricity bills for households will see a reduction in excise duties.
Other tax measures
A EUR 2 tax will apply to parcels imported from outside the EU, and the financial assets tax will double. Wage indexation will continue but be frozen for earnings above EUR 4,000 gross in 2026 and 2028. Additionally, the full implementation of previously planned personal income tax reductions has been postponed to 2030, instead of 2029.
