Grants for MedTech and Healthcare Companies in Belgium

Belgium offers a multi-layered funding ecosystem for medtech and healthcare companies. Each region — Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia — manages its own health innovation programs, while the federal government provides R&D tax incentives that apply nationwide.

For companies based in Brussels, Innoviris is the primary funding agency with dedicated health innovation calls. In Wallonia, SPW Économie and specialised bodies fund pharmaceutical, biotech, and health data projects. In Flanders, VLAIO covers health innovation under its broader R&D subsidy portfolio.

The key advantage of the Belgian system is that regional grants and federal tax incentives can be combined. A medtech company can receive an Innoviris project grant while simultaneously benefiting from the federal R&D wage tax exemption on its research team.

Understanding this layered approach is essential for maximising available funding. For a detailed overview of innovation grants in Belgium, see our dedicated guide.

Innoviris in Brussels funds health innovation through Industrial Research Projects and Experimental Development grants. Subsidy rates range from 25 to 60 percent of eligible costs depending on company size. Collaborative projects with Brussels hospitals or universities receive additional evaluation points.

In Wallonia, SPW Économie supports healthcare companies through investment premiums, R&D grants, and sector-specific programs. The Walloon region places particular emphasis on pharmaceutical manufacturing technology, green chemistry, and health data platforms.

Both regions offer specific support for companies in development zones or economic transition areas. Medtech companies located in these zones may qualify for enhanced subsidy rates or additional investment premiums.

For Brussels-specific programs, see our guide to Innoviris grants. For cross-regional comparisons, the Lucas AI assistant can help identify the best-fit programs.

The federal R&D wage tax exemption allows qualifying companies to retain up to 80 percent of withholding tax on researcher salaries. The Innovation Income Deduction reduces the effective tax rate on patent-derived income to below 5 percent.

At the EU level, Horizon Europe's Health Cluster and the EIC Accelerator provide substantial funding for health innovation projects. Belgian medtech companies with strong scientific profiles and collaborative networks are well positioned to compete.

EU grants are more competitive but offer significantly higher amounts — ranging from 1 to 5 million euros for Horizon Europe projects and up to 17.5 million in blended finance through the EIC Accelerator.

Companies that have already secured regional funding for earlier development stages have stronger applications for EU programs, as they can demonstrate validated concepts and institutional support.

Start by determining your company's region of registration, which defines your primary regional agency. Then map your project's development stage to the available grant instruments — feasibility, development, clinical validation, or market entry.

Evaluate federal R&D incentives in parallel. These apply regardless of region and can be activated as soon as your company employs qualifying researchers.

For EU funding, plan applications well in advance. Horizon Europe calls typically have annual deadlines, and the application process requires consortium building and detailed project planning.

Use BelGrant's Lucas AI assistant to explore which programs match your specific situation, or take the eligibility quiz for a quick assessment.