Belgium is the next country to introduce stricter rules on the sale of tobacco and alcohol. One of the measures is a ban on tobacco sales in supermarkets. The number of sales points for alcohol is also going down.
The Belgian parliament approved a bill by the Health Minister that imposes stricter rules on the sale of tobacco and alcohol. The main measures are listed below.
Belgium restricts tobacco sales in supermarkets and reduces alcohol sales points.
Public
Belgium
Author: Kristina Dosen
Category:
Fiscal subject related
Views:
5179
Content accuracy validation date:
25.04.2024
Content accuracy validation time:
10:04h
From April 1, 2025, supermarkets larger than 400 square metres will no longer be allowed to sell tobacco products. The ban also applies to temporary sales outlets, such as festivals. Even in shops that are still allowed to sell tobacco, there will be a ban on displaying any tobacco product, including e-cigarettes, devices, filters, and so on.
Retailers will have to ask for proof of identity from anyone who wants to buy tobacco products and appears to be under the age of 25. There will also be tougher penalties for violations of the advertising and promotion ban.
With these anti-tobacco measures, Belgium is following the example of countries like the Netherlands, where tobacco products are already disappearing from food retailers as of July 1 this year.
Another type of restriction is defined for alcohol products. The sale of alcohol is also being limited; there will be a ban on selling alcohol to minors (persons under 18). There is an exception for beer and wine, where the age limit will remain at 16 unless alcohol or a flavouring of alcohol is added to such products.
There will also be a ban on the sale of alcohol using vending machines, in hospitals, and in petrol stations along motorways between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., with an exception for roadside restaurants.
Other news from Belgium
Belgium: FPS Finance Announces Postponement with Longer Tolerance Period For GKS 2.0 Implementation
Public
Belgium
Author: Tara Nedeljković
Belgium
Author: Tara Nedeljković
The authority also confirmed that its assessment of a potential future expansion of the GKS obligation to additional activities is still ongoing and that the relevant legislation will be amended accordingly. During the extended tolerance period, affected catering businesses may voluntarily switch to GKS 2.0 if certified solutions are available, register online while awaiting hardware, or temporari... Read more
Belgium Sets Final Deadlines for Mandatory B2B E-Invoicing
Public
Belgium
Author: Vukašin Santo
Belgium
Author: Vukašin Santo
Belgium is moving toward mandatory B2B e-invoicing by 1 January 2026, yet many companies remain unprepared, with only one-third having started implementation according to a recent BDO study. Experts warn that early preparation is critical as Belgium will also introduce a near-real-time e-reporting system in 2028, aligning with EU ViDA and increasing compliance demands on businesses As Belgium prep... Read more
Belgium to Ban Under-18s From Buy Now, Pay Later Apps
Public
Belgium
Author: Vukašin Santo
Belgium
Author: Vukašin Santo
Belgium is introducing a nationwide ban preventing anyone under 18 from using Buy Now, Pay Later services, following rising concerns about youth debt and the ease with which minors can accumulate financial obligations through frictionless digital payments. The new rules place BNPL providers under consumer-credit legislation, impose strict identity-verification requirements, and introduce penalties... Read more
Proposed VAT reform, including potential VAT rate changes in Belgium
Belgium
Author: Tara Nedeljković
Belgium is weighing a VAT reform that would raise the standard rate from 21% to 22%, merge the 6% and 12% reduced rates into a single 9%, and widen the 0% rate for essential goods. Read more
Subscribe to get access to the latest news, documents, webinars and educations.
Already subscriber? Login
Handling of EV Charging in Belgium in Different Cases
Belgium
Author: Tara Nedeljković
Electric vehicle (EV) chargers in Belgium are treated as electricity providers for VAT purposes, with different requirements for B2B and B2C transactions. Read more
Subscribe to get access to the latest news, documents, webinars and educations.
Already subscriber? Login
New document was uploaded: EV-chargers from the Fiscalization Perspective in Belgium
Belgium
Author: Tara Nedeljković
The purpose of this document is to provide a comprehensive overview of the fiscalization treatment and regulatory framework surrounding electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Belgium. This includes how EV chargers are classified under fiscal laws, whether they fall within the scope of fiscalization, and what obligations exist for suppliers operating in this domain. Read more
Subscribe to get access to the latest news, documents, webinars and educations.
Already subscriber? Login
Belgium Introduces Draft VAT Bill to Align with EU Directive and Modernize Taxation of Art, Antiques, and Virtual Services
Public
Belgium
Author: Vukašin Santo
Belgium
Author: Vukašin Santo
Belgium’s draft VAT bill, submitted on October 9, 2025, modernizes the VAT Code by extending the 6% reduced rate to all supplies of art, antiques, and collectibles, while restricting the margin scheme to prevent competitive distortions. It also updates place-of-supply rules for virtual events and streaming services to reflect digital market realities and align national legislation with EU Directiv... Read more