Transferring real estate in Belgium can be complex and costly due to inheritance taxes. Proper planning is essential to avoid surprises, protect your heirs, and optimize the transfer of your property.

Why Real Estate Succession Matters

Inheritance taxes in Belgium can be very high. Depending on the region and the family relationship, heirs may have to pay up to 80 % on the inherited property. Planning ahead helps secure your loved ones’ future and reduce tax costs.

Regional Rules

Each region in Belgium applies its own tax rates and rules:

• Wallonia: rates from 3% to 80% depending on family relationship.

• Brussels: children and spouses benefit from lower rates.

• Flanders: spouses and children enjoy fiscal advantages.

Knowing these regional rules is essential to reduce inheritance taxes and avoid surprises. For more details and full figures, see our blog article.

Upcoming Reforms

Tax reforms are planned to ease the burden on heirs:

• Wallonia: from 2028, direct heirs (children, spouses) will pay a maximum of 15 %.

• Brussels: stronger protections for cohabitants, reduced rates for some bequests, and the “suspicious period” extended to 5 years (gifts made within 5 years before death may be included in inheritance tax).

• Flanders: exemptions for spouses and legal cohabitants, and the 5-year suspicious period also applies.

These reforms, announced but not yet officially adopted, are expected to simplify property transfer and significantly reduce inheritance taxes for your heirs.

What to Do with an Inherited Property

After the succession is opened, heirs have several options:

1. Keep and live in it: plan for maintenance, taxes, and charges.

2. Rent it out: generate income and cover inheritance taxes.

3. Sell it: requires all heirs’ consent and a market value appraisal.

4. Renounce the inheritance: if the property has too much debt or costs, you can refuse the inheritance. This is done via notary or court, protecting heirs from excessive debt.

Anticipating these choices allows you to make the best decisions for your estate and heirs.

Plan Your Succession Now

Organizing succession today helps limit taxes, avoid disputes, and secure your estate. Consulting a notary or tax advisor helps structure the transfer optimally.

How Engel & Völkers Can Help

At Engel & Völkers, we guide our clients so that real estate succession is simple and secure. We help you:

Evaluate your properties to know their real value.

Connect with specialized notaries and tax advisors.

This ensures your heirs make informed decisions and avoid administrative or fiscal complications.

Prepare Your Succession with Peace of Mind

Inheritance doesn’t have to be stressful. With Engel & Völkers, anticipate, secure, and optimize your property transfer.

Contact our local experts for personalized guidance.