Export Subsidies in Belgium — Complete Guide
Belgian grants to help your business grow internationally. Discover AWEX, Brussels Invest & Export, FIT, and federal export incentives for Walloon, Brussels, and Flemish companies.
Find my export grantsWhat export grants cover
Market entry
Funding for prospection trips, market studies, and first sales activities in new foreign markets.
Trade missions
Subsidies for participating in official trade missions, international fairs, and B2B matchmaking events.
Certifications
Support for obtaining international certifications, product registrations, and regulatory approvals needed to sell abroad.
E-commerce internationalisation
Grants for building multilingual webshops, cross-border logistics, and digital marketing campaigns targeting foreign markets.
Top export grants in Belgium
The most impactful export grants available to Belgian companies in 2026.
AWEX Wallonia export aid
Up to €50,000
Grants for international trade fairs, prospection missions, and foreign market consulting for Walloon companies.
Brussels Invest & Export
Up to €30,000
Support for Brussels-based companies expanding abroad through trade missions, fairs, and export coaching.
FIT (Flanders Investment & Trade)
Up to €25,000
Co-financing for prospection trips, trade fairs, and market studies for Flemish exporters.
Federal export tax incentives
Tax deduction
Federal tax deductions for export-related investments including foreign office setup and international marketing.
Horizon Europe EIC
Up to €2,500,000
EU-level funding for innovative companies scaling internationally with breakthrough products or services.
Enterprise Europe Network
Free services
Free B2B matchmaking, market intelligence, and regulatory guidance to help Belgian SMEs find international partners.
Export grants by region
Who qualifies for export grants?
Registered Belgian company
Your company must be registered in Belgium with a valid KBO/BCE number and an operational establishment in the relevant region.
Viable product or service
You need an existing product or service ready for internationalisation — grants do not fund product development from scratch.
Clear export plan
A concrete international growth plan with target markets, timeline, and measurable objectives is required for most programs.
Co-financing capacity
Most export grants cover 50–80% of eligible costs. You must demonstrate the financial capacity to cover the remaining share.
Export grant checklist — 5 things to prepare
Export business plan
Document your target markets, competitive positioning, pricing strategy, and expected sales timeline for the next 12–24 months.
Financial statements
Prepare your last 2 years of annual accounts and a cash-flow projection showing your co-financing capacity.
Market research
Gather data on your target countries including market size, competition, regulatory barriers, and distribution channels.
Cost breakdown
Detail all export-related costs: travel, trade fairs, translations, certifications, marketing materials, and logistics.
Timeline and milestones
Create a project timeline with clear milestones for each target market, including expected first sales dates.
Frequently asked questions
Can a startup apply for export grants in Belgium?
Yes. Most export grant programs accept companies of all sizes, including startups. However, you typically need an existing product or service ready for international markets.
Can I combine export grants from different regions?
Not directly — each region funds companies registered in its territory. However, you can combine regional export grants with federal tax incentives and EU programs.
How long does the export grant application take?
Most regional export grants (AWEX, Brussels Invest & Export, FIT) are processed within 4–8 weeks. EU programs take 4–6 months.
Do export grants cover online sales and e-commerce?
Yes. All three regions now offer specific support for e-commerce internationalisation including multilingual website development and international digital marketing.
What happens if my export project fails?
Grant recipients must submit activity reports regardless of commercial outcomes. If you completed the planned activities, you generally keep the grant.
Find the right export grants for your business
Take our 2-minute quiz or chat with Lucas, our AI grant advisor, to discover your best export funding matches.