Germany vs Belgium
Tax Rate Comparison
Enter your income below for a personal tax estimate, then scroll down for full rate breakdowns.
π° Personal Income Tax Calculator
Enter your income to see your estimated annual tax liability in each country β side by side.
π©πͺ Germany β Trade Tax (Gewerbesteuer) & Church Tax
Germany's 16 BundeslΓ€nder apply federal income tax rates uniformly β no state income tax variation. Municipalities levy Gewerbesteuer (trade tax) on business profits at ~7β17% effective. Church tax (Kirchensteuer) of 8β9% of income tax applies to registered members. The solidarity surcharge (Soli) now only applies to the top ~10% of earners.
π§πͺ Belgium β Regional & Municipal Income Taxes
Belgium's 3 regions (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels) and 589 municipalities each add centimes additionnelles (additional centimes) to federal income tax. Municipal rates range from 0% to 9.5% of federal income tax, averaging ~7%. Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels have differing property tax (prΓ©compte immobilier) rates and housing policy incentives. The withholding tax on investment income (prΓ©compte mobilier) is federal at 30%. Belgium has no inheritance tax at federal level β it's regional.
Germany vs Belgium: Key Tax Differences (2026)
π° Income Tax: Germany and Belgium have similar top income tax rates (14β45% vs 25β45%).
π VAT/Sales Tax: Belgium has a higher consumption tax (7β19% vs 6β21%).
π’ Corporate Tax: π§πͺ Belgium offers a lower corporate rate (25% vs 29%), which can influence business location decisions.
π Capital Gains: π©πͺ Germany taxes investment gains at a lower rate (25% vs 33%), benefiting investors.