Brussels (Brussels Morning newspaper): Starting January 1, 2025, service vouchers in Flanders will cost €10 instead of €9, adding about €582.4 to yearly expenses. Families will see a €135 increase in energy bills and a €60 rise in water costs. Food prices may go up by 5%, affecting budgets. The Flemish government, led by Zuhal Demir, plans to raise €113 million through higher water rates, impacting many households.
Starting January 1, service vouchers will rise from 9 euros to 10 euros, and tax deductions will no longer apply, making them more expensive overall. If people use four vouchers each week, this change could add around 582.4 euros to their yearly expenses, with further increases from service check companies potentially pushing the total over 700 euros. Families will see a 135 euro increase in their electricity and gas bills due to new distribution tariffs, and the drinking water bill is expected to rise by 60 euros next year, mainly because of higher purification costs.
How will higher water bills and rising costs impact Belgian families in 2025?
The Flemish government plans to raise 113 million euros through higher water bills, with local towns possibly adding another 33 million for wastewater services in 2025. This could mean an increase of about 60 euros for the average family. Water companies like De Watergroep are also set to raise their rates 25 euros for families and 10 euros for individuals. At the same time, food prices are expected to go up by 2.5 to 3 percent next year, with costs for cocoa and coffee continuing to rise.
Starting in January, families in Belgium will see higher prices for food and childcare. Food costs could increase by 5%, which might add over 300 euros a year for those who buy a lot of meat or cocoa. Childcare expenses will rise by 3.6%, with lower-income families paying an extra 1.4 euros a month and wealthier families facing a 25 euro increase. Stamp prices will also increase, with non-priority stamps costing 1.53 euros each. The Gezinsbond has expressed worries about these price hikes, saying they should match the rising cost of living.
