Belgium Approves Energy Bill Reforms to Save 2 Million Households Up to 500 Euros Annually

Belgium's Energy Committee has approved comprehensive legislation designed to make energy bills more affordable and transparent for millions of households. The bill, supported by Consumer Protection Minister Rob Beenders and Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet, introduces five key measures targeting deceptive practices by energy suppliers and improving contract clarity.

A major focus of the reforms is eliminating misleading welcome discounts. Currently, some suppliers appear at the top of online comparison sites by advertising substantial sign-up discounts that come with strict conditions—often requiring customers to maintain contracts for one or two years before the reduction is applied. Starting in October 2026, welcome discounts will only be permitted if applied from the first day of the contract, putting an end to what officials describe as "fraudulent discounts."

The legislation also strengthens transparency through several complementary measures. Administrative fees must now be charged prorated to the actual contract duration, so customers who switch providers after a few months will no longer pay annual fees. Energy bills will include a QR code enabling immediate access to price comparison tools, allowing consumers to benchmark their contract against market alternatives. Additionally, suppliers will be prohibited from abruptly raising fixed-rate contract prices; any price adjustment must include a product name change to signal a new offer or modification.

According to projections, the combined reforms are expected to benefit approximately 2 million Belgian households with average annual savings of 500 euros. A subset of 700,000 households could see savings of at least 700 euros annually, according to calculations by Belgium's energy regulator CREG. The changes complement a renewed "Dare to Compare" awareness campaign aimed at encouraging consumers to actively seek better energy deals. These reforms represent a significant step toward fairer energy market practices and greater consumer protection.