If you invest via a Belgian broker (MeDirect, Saxo, Bolero, Keytrade, Re=Bel), you have nothing to declare beyond your normal annual tax return. This guide does not apply to you.
If you use a foreign broker (DEGIRO, Interactive Brokers, Trade Republic, or other), Belgian law imposes two separate administrative obligations on you. They are simple but mandatory — ignoring them exposes you to fines.
ℹ️ Remember
This guide applies to any broker whose registered office is outside Belgium, regardless of its popularity or reputation. The nationality of the broker, not that of the investor, determines the obligation.1. Declaring to the Central Contact Point of the NBB (once only)
The National Bank of Belgium (NBB) maintains a central register of all foreign accounts held by Belgian residents — the Central Contact Point (PCC).
You must declare your account there once, as soon as you open it. This declaration is definitive and does not need to be renewed each year.
How to proceed:
Go to cappcc.nbb.be
Choose your language
Go to 'Declare your foreign accounts'
Add a new account
Click on 'Add an account' and fill in the following fields:
Note: some brokers separate the securities account (holding your ETFs) from the cash account (holding your cash). If so, declare both separately.
Confirm and download the PDF
💡 Tip
When to declare? Ideally within the weeks following the account opening, and in any case before submitting your tax return for the year in question. Example: account opened in October 2025 → declare before your May/June 2026 tax return.2. Mentioning the account in your annual tax return
Each year, as long as you hold an account with a foreign broker, you must mention it in your annual tax return (Tax-on-web).
This is not an additional income declaration — it is simply a box to tick confirming the existence of the account.
In Tax-on-web, find and complete:
Tick 'Yes' to indicate that you hold one or more foreign accounts.
Add one row per account with your name, the broker's country, and confirm that the NBB declaration has been made.
💡 Tip
If you have several foreign accounts (e.g. DEGIRO + Interactive Brokers), add a separate row for each.3. Taxes to manage yourself
Beyond the administrative declarations, some foreign brokers do not automatically handle all Belgian taxes. Here is what you need to check for your broker:
| Tax | DEGIRO | Trade Republic | IBKR |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOB (stock exchange tax) | ✓ Automatic | ✗ Manual | ✗ Manual |
| Précompte mobilier | ✗ Manual | ✗ Manual | ✗ Manual |
| CGT 2026 (10%) | ✗ Manual | ✗ Manual | ✗ Manual |
For taxes to be declared manually:
Manual TOB (Trade Republic, IBKR)
The TOB must be declared and paid by the end of the 2nd month following each transaction, via the form available on the FPS Finance website. Payment by bank transfer with the structured reference provided in the form.
Précompte mobilier on dividends
If you hold distributing ETFs or individual shares, the 30% précompte on dividends must be declared annually in your tax return if your foreign broker does not withhold it. By using accumulating ETFs (Acc.), you avoid this obligation — dividends are automatically reinvested without distribution.
CGT 2026 (10% above €10,000/year)
Capital gains realised on the sale of ETFs must be declared in your annual tax return. Your broker must provide you with an annual transaction statement to facilitate this calculation.
💡 Tip
The simplest solution to avoid all this administrative complexity: use a Belgian broker (MeDirect, Saxo) that handles all taxes automatically.4. Why this obligation exists
Belgium, like all EU countries, participates in the automatic exchange of tax information between member states (DAC/CRS directive). Your foreign broker shares your data with the tax authorities of its country, which forwards it to the Belgian FPS Finance.
In practice: the Belgian tax authorities already know you have this account. The declaration is a compliance formality, not a revelation.
Failing to declare exposes you to:
- —A fine of €100 to €1,000 per undeclared account
- —A risk of increased taxation on undeclared income
This information is provided for educational purposes and reflects the obligations in force in 2026. Administrative procedures may change — always check the current instructions at cappcc.nbb.be and minfin.fgov.be.
Last updated: March 2026