Reduction of Registration Fees in Wallonia from 2025

Currently, in Wallonia, the purchase of a primary and sole residence by an individual incurs registration fees of:

• 12.5% on the sale price;
• 6% for a modest home, with a limited cadastral income (RC) depending on the number of children;
• 5% for a home financed by a social mortgage loan.

Deductions between €20,000 and €40,000 can reduce the taxable base, and a housing cheque of €1,520 per year can also be obtained under certain conditions.

Starting January 1, 2025, the Walloon Government has decided to reduce the registration fees to 3% for the purchase of a primary and sole residence. Multiple property owners will remain subject to the 12.5% rate. This new rate would allow the buyer to immediately benefit from the fiscal advantage in case of resale and repurchase within a reasonable time, without having to pay the 12.5% rate.

In return, the current reduced rate schemes, deductions, and housing cheque will be abolished from 2025.

For example, for the purchase of a house worth €150,000, the new regime with 3% registration fees would result in costs of €4,500, compared to €18,750 currently without deductions or housing cheque, a saving of €14,250.

However, the current regime with the housing cheque allows for a saving of €35,400, making it more advantageous than the new regime even with the 3% reduction.

This reform still needs to be translated into law.