Belgium will raise the VAT rate on hotel and campsite accommodation to 12% from 1 March 2026, while the rate on non‑alcoholic beverages served in hospitality venues will fall to 12% from 21%. Planned increases for takeaway food and cultural/sports events from 6% to 12% have been put on hold after a critical advisory opinion from the Council of State.
The VATfaqs digest
Global VAT news, delivered Tuesday and Thursday. Free, curated from 50+ official sources, no spam.
No spam · Unsubscribe any time
VatCalc · 8 days ago
Belgium’s FPS BOSA has released updated guidance on its mandatory 2026 B2B e-invoicing regime, clarifying invoice rejection, reverse charge wording, and Peppol delivery monitoring. The update introduces new rules for handling incorrect recipients, softens automatic rejection of reverse charge invoices, and confirms that suppliers must be registered in Peppol to receive self‑billing documents.
Fintua · 16 days ago
The May 2026 Global VAT Guide compiles key VAT developments across 12 jurisdictions, highlighting new compliance requirements such as Belgium’s bank account change, Poland’s updated JPK_VAT guidance, and Bulgaria’s removal of the reverse charge clause for goods with installation. It also notes updates to Germany’s Form USt 1 TN and the launch of Belgium’s SME ePortal for quarterly returns. The guide serves as a concise reference for businesses to stay compliant with upcoming regulatory changes.
Fintua · about 1 month ago
The article outlines practical lessons for businesses preparing for e‑invoicing mandates across Europe, highlighting the Belgian experience with the Peppol network, Poland’s KSeF system, and the importance of early stakeholder alignment, data quality, and automation. It stresses that compliance deadlines are tight, with Belgium’s mandate taking effect in December 2025 and a March 2026 compliance check revealing 17 % non‑compliance.
Shared Services Link · about 1 month ago
Belgium has increased its VAT registration threshold from €25,000 to €30,000, effective 1 January 2026. The e‑invoicing mandate that requires all VAT‑registered businesses to issue and receive structured electronic invoices via the Peppol network remains unchanged, but businesses below the new threshold will be exempt. The change is expected to have a limited impact on the overall e‑invoicing rollout.
VatCalc · about 2 months ago
Belgium has increased the annual turnover threshold for its domestic VAT exemption regime from €25,000 to €30,000, pending parliamentary approval. Businesses below the new €30,000 limit may still register voluntarily, while those exceeding it must register and comply with VAT obligations. The exemption still prevents input VAT recovery and removes periodic return filing.
BTW Jurisprudentie · 2 months ago
The Belgian Court of Appeal ruled that the 2000 amendment removing the explicit VAT exemption for travel agencies providing services outside the EU does not alter the tax status of those services. The court confirmed that, under the EU standstill provision, services remain taxable even without an explicit national deviation. Travel agencies must therefore account for Belgian VAT on services such as hotels and flights for trips outside the EU.
Put your brand alongside trusted tax-tech intelligence across 150+ countries.
Key Takeaways
From 1 March 2026, the VAT rate on hotel and campsite accommodation will increase to 12% (up from 6%).
From 1 March 2026, the VAT rate on non‑alcoholic beverages served in hospitality venues will drop to 12% from the standard 21%.
The planned increases from 6% to 12% for cultural events and takeaway food have been put on hold following a critical advisory opinion from the Council of State.
The VAT rate on pesticides will rise to the standard rate of 21% as set in the 2026 Budget.
Primary source
Read the full article at VATCalcThis summary was published on VATfaqs.com on 14 February 2026. It relates to VAT developments in Belgium. The original source is VATCalc.