Europe · Benelux
Belgium
For decades Belgium's peculiar attraction was that it taxed income savagely but capital gains not at all — on 1 January 2026 that ended, and the country's central selling point to wealthy residents went with it.
Tax position
- Income tax (top)
- 50% federal top rate from roughly EUR 48,000 of taxable income, plus municipal surcharges of typically 6–9% of the tax, plus social security — one of the highest effective burdens on earned income in the OECD
- Capital gains
- New from 1 January 2026: a 10% 'solidarity contribution' on capital gains on financial instruments, insurance contracts, crypto-assets and currencies, with an annual exemption of EUR 10,000 (indexed) that can build to a maximum of EUR 15,000 after up to 5 years without taxable gains. Gains accrued to 31 December 2025 are excluded. Substantial and controlling shareholdings are taxed on a separate graduated scale reaching higher rates
- Wealth tax
- no general wealth tax, but the Securities Account Tax charges 0.15% a year on securities accounts whose average value exceeds EUR 1m — and it applies to the entire balance, not just the excess above EUR 1m
- Inheritance tax
- regional and steep: rates run to roughly 30% in direct line and up to 55–80% for distant or unrelated beneficiaries depending on the region (Flanders, Wallonia or Brussels)
- Special regime
- Inpatriate tax regime for incoming executives and researchers (from 1 January 2022): 30% of gross remuneration tax-free, capped at EUR 90,000 a year
- Territorial
- No — worldwide income taxed
- CFC rules
- Yes
- Exit tax
- No
- CRS
- Participating
Is Belgium actually right for your family?
We will tell you if it is not. That is the whole service.