Brussels Summer Deal: Tax Cuts, LEZ Reform, and New Pool

The Brussels regional government — a seven-party coalition that took a record 600 days to form — has announced its “summer agreement” (accord estival), a package of measures covering tax cuts, reform of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ), and new public infrastructure. The deal comes five months into the government’s term, amid political tensions stemming from the Foyer anderlechtois social housing scandal.

Meeting at the historic Val Duchesse castle in Auderghem for its final cabinet session before the summer recess, the government unveiled a series of concrete measures aimed at citizens. Minister-President Boris Dillies (MR) described the governing exercise as “probably the most complex in the kingdom,” while emphasizing that the coalition remains on course despite the challenges, according to RTBF.

Tax Cuts and Economic Redeployment

A centerpiece of the agreement is a 1% reduction in the Personal Income Tax (IPP) for Brussels residents, effective from the 2028 tax year. According to Le Vif, this translates to an annual saving of EUR 147 for a single person earning EUR 2,700 net per month, and EUR 152 for a married couple with two children each earning EUR 2,400 net monthly.

The government also approved the doubling of the “Be Home” premium, reducing property tax (précompte immobilier) for Brussels residents. Budget Minister Dirk De Smedt (N-VA) said the IPP reduction allows “increasing the net salary of Brussels residents and making the Region more attractive, while remaining within the government’s budgetary trajectory.”

On the economic front, the government introduced temporary exemptions from property tax and the tax on non-residential surfaces to accelerate the reconversion of underused large economic sites, including former Audi, Solvay, Schaerbeek-Formation, and Mediapark locations. Employment Minister Laurent Hublet (Les Engagés) described this as “a clear signal to investors: when projects create value, jobs for Brussels residents and sustainably transform our territory, the Region is at their side.”

The government reached a long-awaited agreement on the LEZ, maintaining the original calendar for vehicle restrictions while introducing new flexibility measures. State Secretary for Environment Ans Persoons (Vooruit) announced a “new balance between environmental ambition and social justice,” as reported by Le Vif.

Key measures include a EUR 350 annual pass for drivers of polluting vehicles banned at the last LEZ milestone, renewable up to five consecutive years. Low-income residents (BIM status) domiciled in Brussels will pay just EUR 200. The most vulnerable — those receiving increased allowance, domiciled in Brussels, and meeting additional conditions — receive a full exemption. Derogations are also provided for healthcare professionals, including doctors, pediatricians, and midwives providing urgent care.

New Outdoor Swimming Pool at Anderlecht

In a symbolic investment in public infrastructure and climate adaptation, the government approved a DBFM (Design, Build, Finance, Maintain and Operate) contract for an outdoor swimming pool on the Abattoirs site in Anderlecht. The pool will be installed on the roof of the “Manufacture” building, with water heated using residual heat recovery from building activities.

Persoons described the project as illustrating “a new way of conceiving public equipment, associating urban renovation with climate and environmental transition.” She added: “With this new pool, we are re-inscribing outdoor swimming in the essential public infrastructure of our city. It’s a necessity, because every Brussels resident must be able to find, during heat waves, an accessible place to cool off.”

Political Context: The Foyer Anderlechtois Shadow

The summer agreement comes against the backdrop of the Foyer anderlechtois scandal, which has “polluted” government action for the past two to three months, according to Dillies. The crisis at the Anderlecht social housing company led to over 150 hours of parliamentary hearings with 40 people heard. A special commissioner has been appointed until end of November to restore proper management.

Social Affairs Minister Ahmed Laaouej (PS) acknowledged the commission served “to bring back serenity, both in Anderlecht and within the majority.” The tensions were such that Budget Minister De Smedt had threatened to boycott the Val Duchesse meeting, highlighting the fragility of the seven-party coalition spanning from left (PS, Groen) to right (MR, N-VA).

Flanders Tightens Dutch-Language School Priority

Separately, the Flemish Parliament adopted stricter priority access rules for Dutch-language secondary schools in Brussels, effective for the 2027-2028 school year. According to La Libre Belgique, parents seeking priority enrollment must now provide official documentation proving Dutch proficiency, replacing the previous oral test system. The reform follows a partial annulment of earlier rules by the Constitutional Court and has drawn criticism from francophone and allophone communities.

Outlook

The summer agreement demonstrates that the seven-party coalition can still function despite significant internal tensions. The government is targeting a balanced budget by 2029 through what Laaouej describes as “efforts without austerity.” With the next elections approximately 1,059 days away, the government has time to implement its agenda — but the Foyer crisis and the inherent complexity of governing with seven parties mean political storms may still lie ahead.