Belgium Guide: Money

Our money guide provides information on bank accounts, credit and debit cards, money transfers and income tax. If you need to open a bank account, we will explain how to do it - step by step.

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  Banks

  Where to manage your finances in Belgium

  Banking is a major industry and in Belgium, there's no shortage of banks to choose from. The country claims to have the largest number of bank branches per capita of any country in the world.

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  Opening an Account

  Current and savings accounts in Belgium

  Opening an account is generally a quick and simple process in Belgium. Banks usually only require your passport and a bank application form - some banks may also request proof of address.

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  Debit & Cash Cards

  How to use debit and cash cards

  Banks in Belgium are leading the way towards a ‘cashless society’ with the various types of cards they issue to their customers.

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  Credit cards

  Choosing and using a credit card in Belgium

  Credit cards are the leading payment method for online purchases in Belgium and are regularly used in restaurants and shops. When used sensibly, they are a secure way to pay and manage your spending, plus they can come with many benefits, such as air miles and online discounts.

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  Income tax

  An introduction to Belgium’s income tax

  Although both Belgium enjoys a reputation for being a tax haven for the idle rich, ordinary working people in Belgium suffer from some of the highest tax rates in the world.

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  Income tax liability

  Who is liable to pay income taxes in Belgium?

  Your liability for income taxes (and any other sort of taxes, for that matter) depends on where you're domiciled, which is usually the country you regard as your permanent home and where you live and work most of the year.

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  Taxable Income

  What part of my income is taxable?

  Taxable income in Belgium is divided into four categories: earned income, property income, income from movable assets and miscellaneous income.

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  Income Tax Returns

  Where to get them and when to send them

  Even if your only income is from employment, you need to file a tax return in order to declare your liability to municipal or communal taxes.

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  Tax Bills

  When to pay them and other matters

  A few months after filing your tax return, you should receive a notice of assessment from your assigned tax inspector.

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  Bank Transfers

  How to make payments in Belgium

  The usual method of making payments in Belgium is a direct bank transfer.

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