The major change in 2025 is undoubtedly the legal pension age which will be raised to 66 years from January 1, then to 67 years in 2030. To determine the pension age, the Pensions Service is based on date of birth.
Concretely, this means that:
- If you were born before January 1, 1960, your pension age will be 65.
- If you were born between January 1, 1960 and December 31, 1963, this age will be increased to 66 years.
- If you were born on or after January 1, 1964, your pension age will be increased to 67 years.
Registration fees reduced to 3%
In terms of real estate, many are impatiently awaiting the entry into force of the new reform of the Walloon government MR-Les Engagés which will allow, from 2025, home buyers to benefit from reduced registration fees at 3%, on the condition that it is their only accommodation and that they live there. A buyer who is already the owner of another property can also benefit from this reduction in registration fees.
If these conditions are not respected, the rate of 12.5% remains applicable. The other side of the coin is the disappearance of several aid measures, namely the tax reduction on these same registration fees and the habitat check (Editor's note: a tax reduction convertible into a tax credit ).
Increase in the price of a service voucher
The price of a service voucher will be indexed by 20 cents in Wallonia from January 1, 2025. The new values of service vouchers will therefore be 10.20 euros, 11.20 euros or 12.20 euros. The price depends on two factors: family situation and the number of service vouchers purchased.
As a user, you will potentially see an increase in the price you pay twice a year, based on inflation. The validity period does not change and service vouchers purchased in 2024 will remain valid next year.
Ban on smoking in open-air public places
The law of December 22, 2009 on the ban on smoking has been amended and comes into force on December 31, 2024. Smoking is now prohibited in open-air public places. At the sporting level, the surroundings of the pitches, stadiums and fan zones are concerned. The regulations specify that the installation of smoking rooms remains possible.
The ban is valid even during private parties or when the establishments concerned are closed. Tobacco as well as all tobacco-based and/or similar products are affected by this law. This is therefore also the case for electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) with or without nicotine, as well as herbal products (such as water pipes).
Technical inspection every two years for certain vehicles
In Wallonia, from January 1, 2025, well-maintained vehicles less than 8 years old and displaying less than 110,000 kilometers will now only have to pass the technical inspection both on condition that the vehicle is not towing a trailer heavier than 750 kilograms and has a green certificate with no validity limit or only minor administrative deficiencies.
Other changes are planned a little later in the year, such as the indexation of TEC and SNCB fares. Prices will be increased by approximately 3% from February 1, 2025.
