Authors
In the press – L’Echo, April 9, 2025
A study conducted by Ayming and reported by L’Echo highlights the weaknesses of the Belgian innovation support system. Entitled “The Benchmark 2025”, the analysis compares R&D tax incentives in eleven European and North American countries.
A worrying tax backlog
While France grants a 30% tax deduction on R&D expenditure, Germany 25% and the Netherlands 32%, Belgium limits itself to 13.5% for SMEs and 11.3% for large companies. This difference directly affects the competitiveness of the Belgian innovation ecosystem.
Overly complex procedures
In addition to a less attractive tax environment, Belgium suffers from cumbersome and unclear administrative procedures, creating legal uncertainty and discouraging companies from investing more in R&D.
“Belgium needs to increase its generosity to bring it into line with neighboring countries. It also needs to invest in simplifying administration and digitizing processes.”
– Tony Bulcaen, Innovation Performance Director at Ayming
The need for European harmonization
The study also calls for harmonization of innovation support schemes at European Union level, in order to strengthen collective innovation capacity in the face of powers such as China and the United States.
“Fragmentation of systems weakens Europe’s collective innovative strength.”
– Tony Bulcaen
