BelgiumNow: Belgian news in plain English
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Nearly three in ten machines in Belgian factories are idle, reports say
The slowdown mainly affects industrial sectors, and Wallonia more than Flanders. Residents who work in heavy industry or related supply chains may want to follow how employers and federations respond.
Truck accident blocks two lanes on Antwerp Ring near Berchem
Drivers heading towards the Netherlands on the Antwerp Ring on Wednesday should expect long delays from Antwerpen-West and may want to consider an alternative route or more travel time.
Cheap parcel declarations from outside the EU fall 65 percent after Belgian parcel tax
If you order cheap goods from webshops outside the EU, the charge on a parcel with one product category rises from 3 euro to 5 euro on 1 November 2026, and more for parcels with several categories. VAT and customs clearance costs come on top.
Ghent to raise fees for occupying pavements and parking spaces from 2027
Anyone in Ghent planning renovation work, a delivery or a house move from 2027 should expect to pay more to reserve pavement or parking space, though the application process is meant to be simpler.
Economy
Belgian workers to see slightly higher net pay from 1 November
From 1 November 2026, employers in Belgium will withhold less tax from wages as the tax reform reaches payslips, so employees keep slightly more net pay.
The tax reform will become visible on employee payslips in Belgium from 1 November 2026, according to De Standaard.
From that date, employers will withhold less withholding tax (bedrijfsvoorheffing) from workers' wages. This is the tax taken from pay before it reaches the employee. As a result, workers will keep a slightly higher net amount.
La DH reports that several other changes also take effect in Belgium on 1 November. They cover small parcels, healthcare, driving rules and the vaccination schedule for babies, as well as wages.
Also today
Economy
Diesel hits record 2.51 euros per litre at Belgian pumps
Diesel reached a record 2.51 euros per litre at Belgian petrol stations on Wednesday 28 October 2026, and the same maximum price will apply on Thursday 29 October.
Economy
European gas price nears 100 euros, highest since 2022, HLN reports
The European gas price is approaching 100 euros, which HLN says is the highest level since 2022, while VRT NWS describes prices as reaching record highs.
Economy
New energy discount rules offer up to 600 euros off gas bills
New rules reportedly offer households up to 600 euros off gas and 450 euros off electricity, as wholesale gas prices hit what RTBF Info calls a record level.
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Transport in Antwerp
Truck accident blocks two lanes on Antwerp Ring near Berchem
A truck accident near Berchem has blocked two lanes of the Antwerp Ring towards the Netherlands, causing a traffic jam of more than an hour from Antwerpen-West.
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Economy
Cheap parcel declarations from outside the EU fall 65 percent after Belgian parcel tax
Customs say declarations for cheap non-EU parcels fell 65 percent between July and September after the 3 euro parcel tax began, and the tax raised about 364.4 million euro.
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Housing in Flanders
Ghent to raise fees for occupying pavements and parking spaces from 2027
From 2027, Ghent will charge more to occupy pavements or parking spaces for renovations, deliveries and moves, while simplifying the procedure; opposition councillors have criticised the plan.
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Politics in Flanders
Aalst must save almost 13 million euros more over five years
The Flemish government requires Aalst to make almost 13 million euros in extra savings over five years, but Mayor Christoph D'Haese says this will not lead to layoffs.
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Politics in Brussels
Brussels works on law to make Covid-era café terraces permanent
The Brussels regional government is preparing legislation to keep Covid-era café and restaurant terraces, and urban planning state secretary Audrey Henry asks municipalities not to dismantle compliant ones.
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Politics in Brussels
Brussels mental health league opposes bill allowing home searches
The Brussels League for Mental Health has published an open letter calling for a bill that would allow home searches to be withdrawn, according to BRUZZ.
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Economy
European gas price nears 100 euros, highest since 2022, HLN reports
The European gas price is approaching 100 euros, which HLN says is the highest level since 2022, while VRT NWS describes prices as reaching record highs.
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Economy
New energy discount rules offer up to 600 euros off gas bills
New rules reportedly offer households up to 600 euros off gas and 450 euros off electricity, as wholesale gas prices hit what RTBF Info calls a record level.
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Education in Brussels
Student blockade of ULB's P1 building forces class cancellations
Students are blocking the P1 building at the Université libre de Bruxelles, and classes have been cancelled. The building may stay unusable for the whole quadrimester.
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Transport in Antwerp
Craeybeckx tunnel in Antwerp to be partly closed on four nights in November
The Craeybeckx tunnel in Antwerp will be partly closed on four nights in November for maintenance, each time from 21:00 to 06:00, according to Gazet van Antwerpen and Het Nieuwsblad.
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Economy
Nearly three in ten machines in Belgian factories are idle, reports say
Almost 30 percent of machines in Belgian factories are standing idle, according to reports cited by VRT NWS, while industry federations call for action on high costs.
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Economy
Belgian workers to see slightly higher net pay from 1 November
From 1 November 2026, employers in Belgium will withhold less tax from wages as the tax reform reaches payslips, so employees keep slightly more net pay.
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Politics in Antwerp
Council of State sees no fundamental objections to decree on removing Antwerp deputy Jinnih Beels
The Council of State has found no fundamental legal objections to an urgent decree that would let provincial councils remove Antwerp deputy Jinnih Beels of Vooruit through a motion of no confidence.
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Politics
De Wever calls core cabinet meeting on budget for Wednesday evening
Prime Minister Bart De Wever has called a core cabinet meeting on budget preparation for 19:00 on Wednesday 28 October 2026, according to De Morgen.
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Economy
Diesel hits record 2.51 euros per litre at Belgian pumps
Diesel reached a record 2.51 euros per litre at Belgian petrol stations on Wednesday 28 October 2026, and the same maximum price will apply on Thursday 29 October.