MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR) has raised concerns that Belgium's planned compulsory road tax disc for foreign vehicles may violate the EU principle of non-discrimination on grounds of nationality. In a parliamentary question submitted on 11 July 2026, Ruissen highlighted that the measure, set to take effect from 1 May 2027, would apply to all cars, vans, and motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes using Belgian motorways and regional roads, but that compensation mechanisms for Belgian users mean foreign drivers would bear the brunt of additional costs.
The question notes that Belgian authorities are reforming the road tax system to offset costs for domestic users, with Flemish Minister Weyts stating that around half of Flemish car owners would pay roughly the same or less, and that the maximum extra for any Belgian owner would be €125, affecting only 1.5% of car owners. Ruissen argues that this effectively targets foreign road users, potentially breaching EU law.
Ruissen also questioned the proportionality of the pricing, pointing out that a one-day tax disc would cost approximately 10% of an annual disc (365 days), which he suggests may be unreasonable. The European Commission is expected to respond within approximately six weeks, and its answer will signal whether it views the Belgian proposal as compatible with EU rules on non-discrimination and the internal market.