House renovations in Belgium

This guide includes a comprehensive guide on renovation options, including the legal obligations for property changes and maintenance, financing and loans. We’ll also touch on smart ways to pay for your renovation from overseas, with Wise. Let’s have a look:

How can you finance a home improvement project in Belgium?

You may choose to finance your home renovation project in Belgium through your own savings, or through taking out a local loan or mortgage. You could also choose to raise funds overseas if you’re an expat in Belgium, and bring the money to Belgium to pay for your home improvements.

The main financing options for home renovations in Belgium include:

• Personal savings: Pay for your renovations with no outside financing if you have the savings already
• Mortgage refinancing: If you already have a mortgage, you may increase or extend this to get more money for your project*
• Belgian or overseas issued renovation loans: Local banks have specific home renovation loans, or you may take a loan in your home country if you’re an expat in Belgium
• Belgian or overseas personal loans: Belgian banks may offer standard personal loans for home improvements – or you could also choose to get financing overseas and transfer to Belgium instead

*Be aware that refinancing could lead to a new interest rate and extending your loan term may increase the total interest paid over time.

Let’s look through some of the more common options to finance a home improvement project in Belgium.

Note: This guide provides general information and does not constitute financial advice. Consider speaking with a qualified adviser.

Financing through your personal savings

If you’re planning a more modest renovation – or if you have a large amount of money to hand – you may decide to fund your home project from your own savings. Self-funding isn’t feasible or the right choice for everyone. However, if you have the cash on hand it is a good way to avoid any excess costs involved in paying loan interest or fees.

Financing through a Belgian bank personal loan

Some local banks have personal loans that can be used for a range of needs, including home renovations. Loans are offered based on your income, outgoings and other eligibility factors.

Fees including annual fees, early redemption charges and late payment costs – as well as the agreed interest – may also apply.

Financing through a Belgium bank renovation loan

Some Belgian banks offer specific renovation loans, which could be for general home improvements, or which sometimes specify that you must be making eco-friendly changes to an eligible property. As an example ING has a range of loan offers for renovations and other modernisation plans, with a helpful calculator on their website to allow you to view the options based on your situation. You may find that the interest rate you’re offered is higher if you’re an expat in Belgium compared to a local Belgian citizen or PR. This makes finding an effective way to manage your overall international finances, such as using a Wise account, even more important.

Terms, costs and interest do vary a lot on loans like these, so do compare your options before finalising the details of your renovation project.

Fund your Belgian renovation from abroad with Wise

If you’re paying for your Belgian home renovation from overseas – either by taking out a loan in your home country, or through bringing your savings from overseas to Belgium – you’ll need a safe, cheap and fast money transfer service. Check out Wise*, which offers low cost international transfers which use the mid-market rate with transparent fees and quick delivery times.

Wise also has a dedicated high value transfer team which works to support people moving larger amounts of money, usually over the equivalent of 20,000 GBP or so. You’ll qualify for automatic discounts when sending higher value payments and can get support from Wise if you have questions or need help arranging the paperwork for your payment.

*For more information on how Wise works in your country, please visit the Wise website and select your country for full information about the products available

What can you use a local renovation loan for?

Belgian banks offer renovation loans and mortgages which vary depending on the type of work you want to do. For example, ING has a standard renovation loan which is good for things like painting, roofing, laying floors or extending an existing home – or an energy efficient loan which is available if 50% or more of the work you’re doing is aimed at improving the energy efficiency of the property.

Energy efficiency loans may have better rates of interest, but there are strict criteria about the type of work you can do with this loan type. Works which are approved may include:

• Double glazing and high performance glazing
• Insulation of roofs, walls or floors
• Adding a heat pump or other geothermic energy systems
• Construction or addition of energy generation methods like solar panels or windmills

How much can you borrow?

The amount you can borrow for a renovation loan in Belgium depends on factors including your monthly income, expenses, and the term of the loan you would like. Some banks like KBC have calculators which let you calculate both the cost of your renovation and the amount you may be able to borrow.

The steps necessary to arrange a local renovation loan

Here are the steps usually necessary to arrange a home renovation loan in Belgium:

Step 1: Speak to mortgage adviser or bank

Many banks have online tools to let you model the loan you may be able to get to give you an idea of your options. However, banks also usually suggest you talk directly to their advisors to compare the interest rates and loan options available.

Step 2: Specify renovation plans and costs

Once you’ve decided which bank or provider you’d like to take a loan from you’ll need to get a specific quote based on your renovation plans. Banks may offer different rates and loan amounts depending on the work type and whether or not you’re an existing customer.

Step 3: Activate your home renovation loan

Once you’re ready to start work you can receive your money from the bank either as a deposit to your bank account or in the form of payments which can be made directly to your contractors.

Step 4: Complete renovation work

Your team of designers and contractors can now complete the renovation and any required snagging, before you’re ready to sign off the project and move in.

Step 5: Submit bills and documentation

Check if your bank requires you to follow up on your loan by providing proof of the use of funds. If you’ve taken a loan as a deposit to your account you may be asked to provide the bank with documents to show you used the money in accordance with the terms of the loan.

The end to end process to secure financing for a renovation project can take some time. If you’re an expat buying property in Belgium, think ahead about renovation financing and speak to mortgage advisers long before you’ll be hoping to start your renovation plan.

What government subsidies can I use for a renovation in Belgium?

Energy efficiency improvements may be mandatory on some properties in Belgium. Different renovation grant options exist depending on the location of your property. The rules and options vary by region and can also have variations on a local level beyond this. Grants also change from time to time, and based on demand. Doing your own research prior to renovating will be essential.

For example, at the time of writing, details of applications for Flanders and Wallonia are publicly available but due to ongoing changes, some regional renovation grants have been put on hold and information is not publicly shared.

Where grants are available you may be able to apply for support for any of the following works:

• Insulation and renovation of your roof, floor or external walls
• Improvement or efficiency of windows and doors
• Interior renovation on walls, ceiling and stairs to improve efficiency
• Eco friendly changes to the electricity and plumbing
• Installation of means of renewable energy production like solar water heater, heat pump and heat pump boiler

The amount of grants available and the way you apply can vary a lot depending on the location of your property and the type of work.

Renovations, decorations and common retailers

There are many different levels of renovation work from cosmetic changes to major renovations, and no matter what you’re planning you’ll need to make sure you’ve got all the proper planning permissions in place, with a fit-for-purpose budget to see your project through to completion.

Bear in mind before you begin your renovation that you may need planning permission depending on the type of work and where the property is located. While internal minor changes are often not subject to planning requirements, larger renovations are likely to mean applying to the local authorities where you lie before beginning work.

Once you’ve got the necessary permissions you can start your renovation. Here are some common costs to think about, and some ideas to consider when planning:

Building materials, fixtures, fittings and DIY

Costs of materials, fixtures, fittings and DIY supplies vary enormously, largely dictated by the aesthetic and product quality choices you’ve made.

There are different suppliers depending on what you’re looking for, from construction specialists and trade sellers which may have multiple locations, such as Brico through to everyone’s favourite Ikea for your finishing touches and basic DIY materials. You can also buy lots of incidental supplies such as paint brushes, rollers, cloths and other essentials at neighbourhood DIY stores – check on Google maps for the best locations close to you.

Household goods

Part of many renovations will be replacing or upgrading household goods from your kitchen electrical appliances through to your living room cabinetry and furnishings.

Options here abound, from Doma for electrical appliances, to department stores which can be good all round options for a broad range of goods, including delivery and insurance cover if you need them. Bear in mind that your home loan may not be intended to cover some furnishings if you’re buying standalone items rather than having built-ins.

Kitchen

Renovating your kitchen can certainly add a lot of value to your property – but the costs can be fairly high. Belgian bank KBC suggest budgeting from 14,500 EUR for a standard fit, or 19,000 EUR and upwards for more top end finishes on an average size kitchen. If you’re thinking of a custom fit you may want to look for local reviews of companies in your area – or for a more cost effective finish, check out Ikea.

Bathroom

Making changes to your bathroom is likely to be fairly budget friendly and can make a big difference to your home. For fixtures, Group Nivelles is home to 3 different brands covering bathroom essentials, fittings, flooring and furnishings, and can be great place to look for design inspiration.

According to KBC Bank’s sources, a bathroom renovation could cost from about 4,380 EUR up to 10,000 EUR or more for a more luxurious finish. The quality of the finish you choose will make a big difference too – but don’t skimp on the costs of a good plumber.

Maintenance and safety

Once you own a property in Belgium you will have certain obligations which include mandatory requirements. How this affects your home depends on the property type, age, location and other factors – but understanding your duties upfront is crucial.

We’ve covered a few common issues here, but do get professional advice if you’re at all unsure of the rules which may apply to your specific property in Belgium.

Planning permissions

Some renovation works will require you to get planning permission in advance, which is usually obtained from your local council. As the regulations here can change depending on the location and type of property, you’ll need to start a dialogue with your local authorities before your renovation plans take shape to stay on the right side of all the rules.

Air pollution and safety

If your home has an open fire or wood burner, or similar, be sure to check all the rules which apply based on the specific property, location and fittings you have. While there’s not a blanket ban on having a wood burner for example, using one is covered by various environmental and nuisance prevention rules.

Snow and ice clearing

Property owners in Belgium must keep the footpaths in front of their property clear of snow and ice. This is to ensure safety, and while the exact requirements can vary by property type and location, it’s a good idea to prepare for bad weather in advance by buying snow clearing equipment, salt and grit. Fines may apply if you fail to comply with this requirement.

Renovations advice in Belgium

If you’ve decided to take the leap and buy a new place in Belgium, the chances are that you’ll want to make a few changes once you take possession of your new home. Here are a few final words to make sure the renovations all go to plan and budget;

• Belgian home renovations may cost anything from a few hundred euros to many tens of thousands, depending on the scope of work
• Local banks offer dedicated property renovation loans and can also offer personal loans to cover home improvement costs with fewer restrictions on usage
• Government support including grants may be available for energy efficiency improvements on some properties
• If you need to fund your Belgian home renovation from overseas, use a low cost provider like Wise to send your money to EUR, to keep your renovation fees down overall

Useful resources*

• Wise – multi-currency account with transparent, low-cost international transfers and the mid-market exchange rate for funding renovations from abroad
• Flanders – details of renovation grants and links to apply
• Wallonia – details of renovation grants and links to apply
• KBC – Belgian bank’s estimates for various types of renovation costs, for information
• The Banks – compare different personal loans in Belgium
• ING – different types of loans and mortgages available for renovation needs

*Checked on 2nd December 2025