Reduction of registration duties to 3% in Wallonia: what you need to know for 2025

The Walloon property market has just undergone a major transformation with a reform of registration duties. From 1 January 2025, the rate applicable to first-time buyers* will fall from 12.5% to 3%, an ambitious measure aimed at making home ownership more accessible. Here is an overview of the changes, conditions and implications of this reform.

*The term “first-time buyer” refers to any person purchasing a sole residential property.

What is changing? 

Registration duties in Wallonia were among the highest in Belgium, set at 12.5% of the property’s value. With this reform, the region is aligning itself with the Flemish model by introducing a reduced rate of 3%.

This reduction applies to properties intended to become the buyer’s main residence. It should enable households to significantly reduce the upfront costs of their purchase, which banks often do not finance.

Practical example:

• Before 2025: For a property worth €200,000, registration duties amount to €25,000.
• From 2025: With the 3% rate, registration duties fall to €6,000.

A saving of €19,000 that could make purchasing property more accessible, particularly for young households.

Conditions for benefiting from the 3% rate 

To benefit from this reduced rate, several conditions must be met:

1. Owner-occupied home
   • The buyer must register the property as their main residence within 3 years of signing the notarial deed.
   • This period is extended to 5 years for building plots, homes under construction or properties purchased off-plan.
   • The buyer must remain registered at the property for at least 3 years. 
2. Sole residential property
   • The buyer must not own any other residential property, whether in Belgium or abroad.
   • Exception: If the buyer owns a property, they may still benefit from the 3% rate if they undertake to resell that property within 3 years.
3. Bare ownership or usufruct
   • Individuals who are already bare owners or usufructuaries of a property are eligible.
   • Only full ownership precludes access to this reduced rate.

Key points

This reform marks an important step towards facilitating access to home ownership in Wallonia. However, it is essential to assess its impact accurately based on your personal circumstances and the type of property you are considering purchasing.

Need advice? Contact our property experts for a personalised assessment of your project.