The cost of a planning permit in Brussels depends on the municipality, the type of works and whether you need an architect. Here is a full overview of the costs to expect.
Municipal application fees
Each Brussels municipality sets its own administrative fees for processing a planning permit application. These fees vary considerably from one municipality to another.
Typical amounts observed:
- City of Brussels: fees calculated according to the floor area of the project, with a minimum of €50 for small projects
- Berchem-Sainte-Agathe: €2.50/m² with a minimum of €75
- Saint-Josse-ten-Noode: flat fee of €50 to €200 depending on the type of application
- Other municipalities: between €25 and €300 depending on the project
Contact your municipality’s planning department to find out the exact amount before submitting your application.
Applications handled by the Region
Good news: for applications handled directly by the delegated official (urban.brussels), the applicant pays no application fee.
This applies in particular to projects of regional interest or projects located along certain regional roads.
Architect’s fees
When an architect is required (as is the case for most projects), their fees are the largest item in the budget.
- Small projects (minor conversion, façade alteration): €1,500 to €3,000
- Medium projects (extension, major renovation): €3,000 to €8,000
- Large projects (new build, division into flats): €8,000 to €15,000 and more
These amounts cover designing the plans, preparing the application file and following up the application. Fees are not regulated and vary from one practice to another.
Some works are exempt from the architect requirement, which considerably reduces the total cost.
Cost of a regularisation
If works have been carried out without a permit, a regularisation application is needed. In several Brussels municipalities, application fees are doubled for a regularisation.
On top of this come any architect’s fees for drawing up plans of the existing (non-compliant) situation and preparing the regularisation application.
Other costs to budget for
- Impact study: for large-scale projects, the cost can run to several tens of thousands of euros
- EPB (energy performance of buildings) report: mandatory for certain major renovations and new builds (€500 to €2,000)
- Soil survey: required in some cases (€1,000 to €3,000)
- Surveyor: if a measured survey plan is needed (€500 to €1,500)