The Brussels government? Let’s put it in perspective 

Three regions, three governments 

As you know, Belgium has three regions: the Flemish Region (Flanders), the Walloon Region (Wallonia) and the Brussels-Capital Region. They each have a parliament and a government. 

Delimited powers 

Each region is responsible for “land-related matters” such as the environment, spatial planning, housing, mobility, infrastructure, the economy and employment. Within the Brussels-Capital Region, mobility is therefore the responsibility of the Brussels government. 

Brussels, a region with 19 municipalities 

The Brussels region comprises 19 municipalities: the city of Brussels, Anderlecht, Ixelles, Etterbeek, Evere, Ganshoren, Jette, Koekelberg, Auderghem, Schaerbeek, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Saint-Gilles, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Uccle, Forest and Watermael-Boitsfort (to be complete: Laeken, Haren and Neder-Over-Heembeek are quarters within the city of Brussels). 

Currently, the Brussels-Capital Region has 1.2 million inhabitants in an area of 162 km². 

Fourfold capital 

• Brussels is also the capital of Belgium, Flanders, the French Community and the Brussels-Capital Region itself. 
• And, not unimportantly, Brussels is the administrative centre of Europe. So thanks to Brussels, Belgium plays a leading role in the European Union.  

Are you still with us? 

What is the vision behind SmartMove? 

The city that the Brussels government envisions is one that is more liveable, healthier and more prosperous for those who live and work there, and for all who visit. Better mobility plays a crucial role in this. That is why we urgently need to do something about the traffic jams.  

On 3 December 2020, the Brussels government approved the SmartMove model, which serves as a basis for consultation with the other regions. 

Traffic tax, a powerful lever 

The Brussels government is using every means at its disposal to improve the situation. Taxation is an important policy instrument. 

Taxing car use, not car ownership 

The Brussels region resolutely opts for a new traffic tax that is no longer based on car ownership, but on car use. 

What does this mean for the people of Brussels? 

• Changes to the current road taxes that only tax vehicle ownership on a flat-rate basis. 
• Introduction of a new, fairer, simpler and sometimes more favourable system that takes into account the actual use of the vehicle rather than its ownership. 
• The abolition of the tax on traffic for vehicles up to and including 14 fiscal horsepower and the annual road tax. 

You control what you pay 

An intelligent kilometre charge 

What makes this kilometre charge intelligent is that it takes into account three variables: time of day, distance and engine power. 

You decide what you pay 

By calculating the charge based on the actual use of your car, you have all the elements to determine how much you pay: time, distance and engine power. 

Free of charge outside working hours 

• Outside working hours (between 07:00 and 19:00) and at weekends, the intelligent kilometre charge does not apply.  
• At no extra cost, you can go shopping, go to a restaurant or to a concert at the weekend or in the evening. 

What does this mean for the future? 

• Studies show that intelligent kilometre charge leads to less use of cars for short distances, fewer non-essential trips and more use of public transport and bicycles.* 
• The proceeds from SmartMove will largely be invested in a more qualitative and varied mobility offer and the redesign of the city with the focus on people. 

What are the targets in figures? 

The Brussels government has set itself some ambitious targets for 2030. Specifically?