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ALERT / JULY 2, 2026
Belgium Increases Insurance Tax
2 MIN READ
Belgium increases the insurance tax rate applicable to certain non-life insurance products from 9.25% to 9.60%. The change impacts employer-sponsored hospitalization and outpatient healthcare insurance plans, as well as certain occupational incapacity insurance products that are currently subject to the 9.25% rate. The revised tax rate applies to insurance premiums due on or after 1 July 2026.
Background
Following the publication of the Programme Act of 30 May 2026 in the Belgian Official Gazette on 1 June 2026, the insurance tax rate increased from 9.25% to 9.60% for applicable insurance premiums due on or after 1 July 2026.
The change forms part of the government's budget measures and is expected to slightly increase the cost of affected insurance policies.
Key details
The Programme Act increases the insurance tax applicable to certain non-life insurance products from 9.25% to 9.60%. The insurance tax is a mandatory levy applied by insurers in addition to the net insurance premium and remitted to the Belgian tax authorities.
Affected employee benefit plans
The increase applies to insurance products currently subject to the 9.25% insurance tax rate. For employer-sponsored benefits, this generally includes:
Hospitalization insurance plans.
Outpatient healthcare insurance plans.
Certain occupational incapacity insurance products currently subject to the 9.25% rate.
Insurance products subject to other tax rates are not affected by this change. For example, life insurance, occupational accident insurance, marine insurance, motor vehicle insurance, and credit insurance remain subject to their existing tax rates.
The new 9.60% tax rate applies to premiums due on or after 1 July 2026, regardless of when the insurance contract was entered into or the premium is paid.
Employer action: ACT
Employers with affected insured benefit plans should expect premium adjustments to be reflected in insurer invoices and premium statements issued from July 2026 onward.
Where employees contribute toward the cost of insured benefits, employers may need to adjust payroll deductions to reflect increased premiums.
Employers should review insurer communications and premium statements to identify any resulting adjustments to benefit costs. The overall impact is expected to be limited, with only a small increase in premiums for affected plans.
Written in collaboration with
Kristof Baertsoen
International Business Unit Manager
Vanbreda Risk & Benefits
Further Information
