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VAT-Scan Editorial Team
Our editorial team specialises in EU VAT compliance, cross-border tax rules, and the VIES validation system. All guides are reviewed for accuracy against current European Commission guidance.
Published: March 2025  ·  Last reviewed: April 2025
Home Country Guides Belgium VAT

Belgium VAT Guide (BE)

Belgium, home to the EU's main institutions, is a major hub for international trade and professional services. Belgian VAT — BTW in Dutch, TVA in French — is administered by the FPS Finance.

Country CodeBE
VAT NameBTW / TVA
Standard Rate21%
Reduced Rates6% and 12%
Parking Rate12%
Number FormatBE + 10 digits
Tax AuthorityFPS Finance

Belgian VAT Number Format

Belgian VAT numbers follow the format BE followed by exactly 10 digits, where the first digit is always 0 (for companies registered before 2014) or 1 (for more recently registered companies). Example: BE0123456789. The 10-digit sequence corresponds to the company's enterprise number (KBO/BCE number) with a leading digit prepended.

Belgian VAT Rates

Belgium applies three main rates plus a parking rate. The standard rate of 21% applies to most goods and services. The 12% rate applies to margarine, certain social housing, and restaurant and catering services. The 6% rate applies to food, water, pharmaceuticals, books, newspapers, hotel accommodation, and passenger transport.

Belgian VAT Registration

Belgian resident businesses must register before making their first taxable supply. A small enterprise exemption is available for businesses with annual turnover below €25,000. Non-resident businesses register with the FPS Finance's Central Office for Foreign Taxpayers.

Validate a Belgian VAT Number

The Belgian VIES database is maintained by FPS Finance and returns reliable results. Check any BE number using our free tool.

Check a Belgian VAT number →