Navigating VAT in Belgium

This guide provides an overview of VAT in Belgium, including applicable rates, registration requirements, compliance obligations, and filing deadlines. It is designed for businesses engaging in transactions within Belgium.

Last Updated: November 2025

1971

Belgium was one of the first six EU countries to adopt VAT back in 1971.

Belgium at a glance.

Standard rate

21% VAT

Digital services VAT

Yes, at 21%

Mandate e-invoicing

Yes

Currency

Euro (EUR)

Zero-rated items

Intra-community and export transactions

VAT format

Prefix + Digit 0/1 + 9 digits

Fiscal representation

Yes, required for non-EU businesses engaging in taxable activities

Reclaiming VAT in Belgium.

Foreign businesses incurring expenses in Belgium? You might be eligible for a VAT refund.

Who can reclaim?
Claimable expenses:
Entertainment
21%
Accommodation
6%
Food, drink & restaurant services
0%
Hiring means of transport
21%
Fuel
21%
Public Transport
6%
Taxis
6%
Admission to fairs & exhibitions
21%
Training courses & seminars
21%
Goods
21%
Inter-company charges
21%
Office expenses
21%
Marketing costs
21%
Professional fees & AP invoices
21%
VAT compliance in Belgium.

Doing business in Belgium? You’ll need to play by the rules of the Value Added Tax Code and Royal Decrees.

Who needs to register?

Registration is generally required for businesses above the VAT threshold. However, businesses below the threshold can also register voluntarily.

VAT registration in Belgium
VAT filing deadlines in Belgium

Monthly

20th day of the following month

Quarterly

20th day of the month following the quarter (Changes to the 25th of the month from 1 January 2025)

VAT payment deadlines in Belgium

Monthly

20th day of the following month

Quarterly

20th day of the month following the quarter (Changes to the 25th of the month from 1 January 2025)

Digital services in scope
Things to note

Belgium applies VAT on digital services based on the consumer’s location, generally utilizing the OSS system for cross-border services within the EU.

e-invoicing in Belgium.
Summary of the mandate in this country

B2G mandate in place

Yes

B2B mandate in place

No

B2C mandate in place

No

Obligation status: B2B e-Invoicing

From 1 January 2026

B2B e-Invoicing model

4-Corner Clearance Model

Name of exchange infrastructure

Peppol

Format(s) used

Peppol BIS 3.0

FAQs

Yes, non-established EU businesses can reclaim Belgian VAT under the EU VAT refund scheme.

No. The current mandate only applies to domestic B2G transactions within Belgium. B2B and cross-border e-invoicing are not yet mandatory.

The mandate applies to all VAT-registered taxpayers in Belgium that supply goods or services to Belgian public sector entities.

Nearby countries.

Explore indirect tax information in these countries:

France
Netherlands
Luxembourg

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