In Belgium, a total of EUR 15.74 billion in project subsidies was granted in 2021 (not counting the financial industry). “These subsidies include targeted reductions in social contributions and reduced withholding tax for researchers, among various other incentives,” explains IESEG researcher Eric Dor.
The total amount corresponds to 7.35% of the companies’ net value added, the second highest rate in the EU after Austria.
The government support is very generous and aims to offset labor costs, attract new companies and support the creation of jobs.
Meanwhile, the sum of the whole – subsidies minus taxes – expresses the net government contribution to businesses. According to Eric Dor’s study, this figure clocks in at EUR 14.9 billion for Belgium and Flanders as a region, representing 6.96% of the net value added. As such, net government contribution to businesses is higher in Belgium than in every other EU member state.
With Dutch as its official language, Flanders is the autonomous northern region of Belgium. The government of Flanders offers access to a myriad of tax incentives, grants, subsidies and other support mechanisms for companies through Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO), PMV and other organizations.
