Healthcare and MedTech Subsidies in Belgium

Belgium provides a robust support system for healthcare and medtech companies through a layered structure of regional grants, federal tax incentives, and European funding programs. In 2026, these programs continue to expand as health innovation becomes a strategic priority across all three regions.

For companies developing medical devices, diagnostic tools, digital health platforms, or pharmaceutical technologies, understanding which subsidies apply at each development stage is essential to maximising funding potential.

The main regional agencies — VLAIO in Flanders, Innoviris in Brussels, and SPW in Wallonia — each run health-focused grant lines alongside their standard innovation programs. Federal R&D tax credits add a second layer of support that can be combined with regional subsidies.

This guide provides an English-language overview of the healthcare subsidy landscape. For region-specific details, see our guides on innovation grants and R&D grants in Belgium.

In Flanders, VLAIO funds healthcare innovation through its standard R&D subsidy lines. Medical device developers, biotech companies, and health software platforms can access feasibility study grants and experimental development subsidies covering 25 to 60 percent of eligible costs.

Innoviris in Brussels runs dedicated health innovation calls that fund clinical validation, translational research, and collaborative projects with university hospitals. Brussels-based medtech SMEs can access subsidy rates between 35 and 50 percent.

Wallonia supports health innovation through SPW and specialised programs targeting pharmaceutical manufacturing, health data platforms, and biotechnology research. The Walloon region also maintains specific programs for companies located in development zones.

All three regions increasingly prioritise digital health and AI-driven medical tools, creating new opportunities for companies at the intersection of technology and healthcare.

The federal R&D wage tax exemption allows qualifying companies to retain up to 80 percent of withholding tax on researcher salaries. For healthcare and medtech companies with research-intensive teams, this incentive alone can represent significant annual savings.

The Innovation Income Deduction reduces the effective corporate tax rate on qualifying innovation income — including patent royalties and licensing fees — to below 5 percent. Medtech companies holding patents on devices, algorithms, or processes benefit directly.

These federal incentives are designed to complement regional grants, not replace them. A company can receive a VLAIO or Innoviris project grant while simultaneously benefiting from the R&D wage exemption on its research personnel.

Registration with BELSPO is required for the R&D wage exemption. The process involves demonstrating that your company conducts qualifying R&D activities and employs researchers with appropriate academic qualifications.

Start by identifying your company's region, development stage, and the specific type of health innovation you are pursuing. This determines which regional agency and grant line is most relevant.

Next, evaluate whether your project qualifies for federal R&D incentives alongside regional grants. The combination of both can significantly increase total available funding without any conflict between programs.

For EU-level funding, consider Horizon Europe health cluster calls and the EIC Accelerator for deep-tech health startups. These programs offer higher amounts but require more complex applications and longer timelines.

Use BelGrant's Lucas AI assistant to get personalised recommendations based on your company profile, or start with the eligibility quiz for a quick overview.