Grants for Beauty and Cosmetics Companies in Belgium

The beauty and cosmetics sector is one of Belgium's more active areas for innovation investment. Companies developing new formulations, testing natural or sustainable ingredients, or digitalising their production processes often qualify for R&D and innovation grants.

Belgian cosmetics brands also export heavily, which opens access to export support programs at both regional and federal levels. Whether you are a startup launching your first product or an established brand expanding into new markets, there are specific programs worth exploring.

The key is knowing which agency governs which program, and whether your activities fall under the qualifying criteria. Browse all available Belgian grants to start building a picture of what applies to your company.

VLAIO, the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, is the primary gateway for cosmetics companies based in Flanders. Their Innovation Grant (Innovatiesubsidie KMO) supports SMEs developing new products, processes, or services - which covers a large part of what cosmetics companies do.

VLAIO also offers the Strategic Transformation Support (STS) program for companies investing in significant operational changes such as sustainability transitions, new production technology, or automation of formulation testing.

Eligible costs under VLAIO programs typically include personnel, external consultancy, materials used in research, and equipment directly linked to the innovation. Cosmetics companies running stability studies, dermatological testing, or ingredient research regularly qualify.

Brussels-based cosmetics brands have access to two complementary agencies. Innoviris funds applied research and innovation projects, including those in the personal care and wellness sector. Their Proof of Concept and collaborative research programs are relevant for brands working on novel active ingredients or sustainable packaging systems.

hub.brussels, the Brussels business support agency, offers export acceleration programs and international market readiness support. For beauty brands wanting to expand into Paris, Amsterdam, or further markets, these programs provide co-financing for trade fairs, market studies, and export advisory services.

Brussels also benefits from proximity to the European Cosmetics Association (Cosmetics Europe), whose programs and working groups can connect Belgian brands to EU-level research initiatives and regulatory guidance. Use the BelGrant assistant to quickly identify which Brussels programs your company is eligible for.

Export grants are among the most accessible forms of support for cosmetics companies because the eligibility criteria are relatively broad. In Flanders, the Flanders Investment and Trade (FIT) agency offers subsidies for international prospection missions, trade fair participation, and export market studies.

In Wallonia, the AWEX agency provides similar export support, including subsidies for promotional materials, international certifications, and market entry advisory. Both FIT and AWEX require that export activities target markets outside Belgium.

Federal-level export financing is also available through Credendo and the Belgian Export Credit Agency for larger expansion projects. See the full list of export grants available in Belgium to compare what is available for your region and export destination.

Belgian tax law includes two particularly relevant incentives for cosmetics R&D: the R&D wage exemption (vrijstelling bedrijfsvoorheffing) and the Innovation Income Deduction (IID). The wage exemption allows companies to retain a significant portion of payroll tax for qualifying researchers, reducing the cost of internal R&D teams substantially.

The IID allows companies to deduct 85% of qualifying innovation income from taxable profit, making Belgium one of the more attractive countries in Europe for cosmetics brands that have developed proprietary formulas or active ingredients protected by intellectual property.

Companies working on sustainable or natural cosmetics may also qualify for Green Investment grants, circular economy subsidies, or sustainability transition support programs offered by regional agencies. These programs have grown significantly since 2023 as regional governments strengthened their sustainability agendas.

Most grants targeting innovation and R&D require that the company be an SME as defined by the EU (fewer than 250 employees, turnover under €50 million). Cosmetics startups, independent brands, and growth-stage companies typically meet this threshold.

Application processes vary by program. VLAIO applications are submitted through their online portal and require a project description, budget overview, and explanation of the innovative character of the work. Innoviris has its own submission platform with specific templates for each program type.

The most common pitfall is applying too late. Most programs have fixed submission windows, and some are competitive. Starting the eligibility check early, at least 3 months before you plan to begin your project, significantly improves your chances. Start your grant search here to find programs that match your current stage and activity.