Market guide · Europe
Selling in Belgium
Bancontact is on almost every Belgian debit card and is the method most shoppers reach for first. Checkout copy usually needs both Dutch and French.
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Languages | Dutch, French, German |
| Region | Europe |
| Local acquiring | Available |
| Settlement | T+1 |
| Payout rail | SEPA Instant · Seconds, 24/7 |
| Import consumption tax | VAT (BTW/TVA) · 21% |
Popular payment methods
Share of online payments by method. Illustrative figures.
| Bancontact | 55% (55% of online payments) |
|---|---|
| Visa, Mastercard, Amex | 28% (28% of online payments) |
| PayPal | 6% (6% of online payments) |
| Apple Pay | 4% (4% of online payments) |
How to launch in Belgium
- 1Open a sandbox accountTest every flow for Belgium with test cards and methods before you sign anything.
- 2Turn on local methodsStart with Bancontact, PayPal, Apple Pay.
- 3Process domesticallyDomestic processing in Belgium avoids cross-border fees and lifts approval rates.
- 4Settle in EURHold EUR and convert when you choose, or pay out locally.
- 5Show duty-inclusive pricesQuote VAT (BTW/TVA) and duties at checkout so nothing is due on delivery.
- 6Go liveVerify your business, switch your keys and watch the first orders arrive.
Duties and import tax
VAT (BTW/TVA) at 21% applies to most imported goods.
Thresholds: VAT due from the first euro; IOSS for goods up to EUR 150
Regulatory notes
- Strong customer authentication under the EU's revised Payment Services Directive applies to card payments.
- Language rules differ by region, so consumer information is normally offered in Dutch and French.
Placeholder notes for the prototype, not legal advice.
Customer story nearby
Northwind Outfitters
Retail & Ecommerce
+3.4 pts
card acceptance in Germany · Illustrative
We stopped guessing which fees would land on an order. Duty-inclusive prices took returns down with them.
Mara Lindqvist, Head of Ecommerce Read the story: Northwind Outfitters
Other markets in Europe
Launch in Belgium
Try the Belgium flow in the sandbox, or talk to us about your rollout.