Flemish Parliament Approves 2026 Budget with €2.2 bn Deficit

The Flemish Parliament voted to adopt an adjusted 2026 budget that shows a deficit of €2.2 billion, up from the originally planned €1.7 billion. The increase is attributed chiefly to higher inflation and rising infrastructure costs, including the accelerated Oosterweel ring road project and the “Flemish Resilience” recovery plan.

Finance Minister Ben Weyts said the region aims to achieve a balanced budget from 2027 onward, acknowledging that meeting this target will be significantly harder. To curb spending, the government will fill only one‑third of vacant civil‑service posts created by retirements and resignations, a move expected to save about €20 million. An estimated €1 billion effort will still be required to bring the budget into balance.

The budget approval passed with a majority despite opposition, and the regional government expects additional federal funding next year to offset part of the inflationary impact.