House and apartment prices in Belgium have surged, driven by a recent cut in registration fees for property purchases, according to new data released by the Belgian statistics agency Statbel.

The most significant increases have been recorded in Wallonia.

In Flanders, the median price for terraced or semi-detached homes climbed by 6.7% to €320,000, while detached houses rose by 3.6%. Apartments also saw a notable increase of 4.7%, reaching a median price of €256,000.

Statbel points to the January reduction in registration fees as a key factor behind the price surge. In Flanders, the rate dropped from 3% to 2% under certain conditions. In Wallonia, the decrease was even steeper—from 12.5% to 3%—giving buyers more financial flexibility and helping to drive up demand and prices.

Wallonia sees steepest increases

In Wallonia, property prices have jumped significantly. The median price for terraced or semi-detached homes rose by 14%, and detached homes have become over 15% more expensive. Apartments now cost a median of €190,000, up 8.6% compared to the previous year.

Modest growth in Brussels, except for detached homes

In Brussels, the median price of terraced or semi-detached houses rose by 7.1% to €525,000, and apartment prices increased by 1.9% to €265,000. However, the median price for detached houses actually fell by 10.2%, now standing at €987,500.

These figures underline how changes in tax policy have reshaped Belgium’s housing market, with buyers leveraging their increased budgets to drive up home values, particularly in regions with the most substantial fee reductions.