Belgium VAT Calculator
How Much Is VAT in Belgium?
The standard VAT rate in Belgium is 21% in 2026. Other rates: 12% — Restaurant and catering services (excluding drinks), social housing, and from 1 March 2026 hotel and campsite accommodation; 6% — Food, water, medicines, books, passenger transport, takeaway meals, admission to cultural and sports events, renovation of homes over 10 years old; 0% — Daily and weekly newspapers and periodicals, exports and intra-EU B2B supplies. Locally the tax is called Belasting over de toegevoegde waarde (btw) / Taxe sur la valeur ajoutée (TVA). Among the 27 EU member states, standard VAT ranges from 17% in Luxembourg to 27% in Hungary.
How to calculate Belgium VAT
To add 21% VAT to a net (tax-exclusive) price, multiply it by 1.21. To remove VAT from a gross (tax-inclusive) price, divide it by 1.21.
- Add VAT: EUR 100 net × 1.21 = EUR 121 gross (that is EUR 21 of VAT)
- Remove VAT: EUR 121 gross ÷ 1.21 = EUR 100 net (that is EUR 21 of VAT)
Use the Belgium VAT calculator above for any amount, or compare Belgium with every other country in our VAT rates by country table.
Belgium VAT Rates Overview
Every VAT rate currently in force in Belgium
Current VAT Rates (2026)
| Rate type | Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 21% | Most goods and services, including drinks served in restaurants and, from March 2026, pesticides |
| Reduced rate | 12% | Restaurant and catering services (excluding drinks), social housing, and from 1 March 2026 hotel and campsite accommodation |
| Reduced rate | 6% | Food, water, medicines, books, passenger transport, takeaway meals, admission to cultural and sports events, renovation of homes over 10 years old |
| Zero rate | 0% | Daily and weekly newspapers and periodicals, exports and intra-EU B2B supplies |
VAT History and Local Rules in Belgium
How the rates got here, and country-specific points to watch
Key VAT milestones
- 2026: Hotel and camping accommodation moved from 6% to 12% and pesticides from 12% to 21% on 1 March
- 2026: Structured B2B e-invoicing (Peppol) became mandatory on 1 January
- 2025: Quarterly VAT return deadline moved to the 25th of the following month
- 1996: Standard rate raised from 20.5% to 21%
- 1971: VAT introduced
Is the VAT rate the same everywhere in Belgium?
The same VAT rates apply throughout Belgium, in Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels alike.
Good to know
Planned increases from 6% to 12% for takeaway meals, sports and cultural events, and a cut from 21% to 12% for soft drinks in restaurants, were withdrawn shortly before 1 March 2026 after criticism from the Council of State and may return later.
In restaurants, food is taxed at 12% but all drinks, including soft drinks, remain at 21%.
Belgium's B2B e-invoicing mandate uses the Peppol network; PDF invoices no longer count as valid e-invoices between Belgian businesses.
Zero-Rated and Exempt Supplies in Belgium
The difference matters: zero-rating keeps input-VAT recovery, exemption does not
Zero-rated supplies (0%)
VAT is charged at 0%, but the seller can still recover input VAT on related costs:
- Exports of goods outside the EU
- Intra-EU B2B supplies of goods to VAT-registered customers
- Daily and weekly newspapers and periodicals meeting publication conditions
VAT-exempt supplies
No VAT is charged, and the seller generally cannot recover input VAT on related costs:
- Financial and insurance services
- Medical and healthcare services
- Education and vocational training
- Residential and most commercial property letting
- Supplies by small businesses under the franchise scheme
Belgium VAT Registration & Compliance
Key facts for businesses registering for and reporting VAT in Belgium.
| Local name | Belasting over de toegevoegde waarde (btw) / Taxe sur la valeur ajoutée (TVA) |
|---|---|
| VAT number format | BE + 10 digits, starting with 0 or 1 (e.g. BE0123456789) |
| Registration threshold | EUR 25,000 annual turnover (small business franchise scheme); above that registration and VAT charging are mandatory |
| Non-resident businesses | Non-established businesses must register from their first taxable supply in Belgium; non-EU businesses generally need a fiscal representative |
| Filing frequency | Monthly if annual turnover exceeds EUR 2.5 million (EUR 200,000 for certain goods such as fuel, phones and vehicles), otherwise quarterly |
| Filing and payment deadline | Monthly returns and payment by the 20th of the following month; quarterly returns and payment by the 25th of the month after the quarter |
| E-invoicing / reporting | Structured B2B e-invoicing via Peppol mandatory for Belgian VAT-registered businesses since 1 January 2026; e-reporting planned from 2028 |
| Tax authority | FOD Financiën / SPF Finances (FPS Finance) |
Thresholds, deadlines and e-invoicing rules are revised regularly. Always confirm current requirements with FOD Financiën / SPF Finances (FPS Finance) before relying on them.
Cross-Border Sales and Refunds in Belgium
Selling into the country from abroad, and getting VAT back
Cross-border rules
Digital services and e-commerce: Foreign sellers of digital services to consumers in Belgium charge Belgium's VAT rate. EU businesses can declare it through the One-Stop Shop (OSS) once their EU-wide cross-border B2C sales exceed EUR 10,000; non-EU businesses use the non-Union OSS from the first sale.
Tourist VAT refunds: Non-EU visitors can reclaim VAT on purchases over EUR 125.01 per shop.
For the general rules, see the reverse charge mechanism, VAT on digital services, VAT invoice requirements and VAT refunds for tourists and businesses.
Compare VAT Rates
VAT rates in neighboring and similar economies
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about VAT in Belgium
What is the current VAT rate in Belgium?
The standard VAT rate in Belgium is 21% in 2026. Other rates in force: 12% (reduced rate), 6% (reduced rate), 0% (zero rate). See the rates table above for exactly what each rate covers.
How do I calculate VAT in Belgium?
To add 21% VAT, multiply the net price by 1.21. To remove it from a VAT-inclusive price, divide by 1.21; the difference is the VAT. The calculator at the top of this page does both.
What is the VAT rate on hotels in Belgium?
Since 1 March 2026 hotel and other short-term furnished accommodation and campsites are taxed at 12%, up from 6%. Restaurant meals are also 12%, while drinks are 21%.
What is the VAT rate on takeaway food in Belgium?
Takeaway meals remain at 6%. A planned rise to 12% from March 2026 was withdrawn after the Council of State criticised the draft rules.
Is e-invoicing mandatory in Belgium?
Yes. Since 1 January 2026 Belgian VAT-registered businesses must issue and receive structured electronic invoices for domestic B2B transactions, normally via the Peppol network.
Who needs to register for VAT in Belgium?
Registration threshold: EUR 25,000 annual turnover (small business franchise scheme); above that registration and VAT charging are mandatory. Foreign businesses: Non-established businesses must register from their first taxable supply in Belgium; non-EU businesses generally need a fiscal representative.
Sources
Official and professional references used for this page
Last reviewed on 27 September 2026.