Postponement of gas and heating oil tax increases in Belgium
The Belgian government plans to postpone the implementation of the expected increase in taxes on gas and heating oil until July 1, instead of the originally scheduled date in April, as part of legislative adjustments related to energy policy and the national budget.
The governing majority is expected to submit an official amendment to the Belgian House of Representatives to change the effective date of the tax increases. This move comes amid ongoing political discussions about energy-related taxes and their impact on households.
Reasons for postponing gas and heating oil tax increases in Belgium
The decision to delay comes after the legislative process for the program law was disrupted, following its referral to the Council of State by the opposition, which delayed the vote and pushed back the implementation of related measures.
Additionally, the quarterly tax collection system played a role in the decision, making it impossible to apply the increases in April, automatically shifting the implementation to the beginning of July.
Details of the new energy tax increases in Belgium
The draft law includes gradual increases in taxes on certain energy sources in the coming years, including:
- An increase in heating oil tax from €17.3 to €23 per 1,000 liters, with further annual increases planned.
- Increase in gas tax from €8.72 to €10.31 per MWh during 2026, with gradual increases continuing until 2029.
In contrast, the draft includes a gradual reduction in electricity charges, which will decrease from €50.33 to €46 per MWh during the current year, with further gradual declines continuing until 2029.
This approach is part of a government policy aimed at accelerating the transition to clean energy and reducing emissions, despite warnings from some experts that lowering electricity charges will not fully offset the rising cost of gas for most households, except for those benefiting from social tariffs.
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