What is the legal payment deadline in Belgium?
In Belgium, the law of August 2, 2002 concerning the fight against late payment in commercial transactions sets the rules. For transactions between businesses (B2B):
- The legal payment deadline is 30 calendar days from the date of invoice receipt
- The parties may agree contractually on a different deadline, but maximum 60 days (except documented exceptional agreement)
- Any deadline exceeding 60 days is automatically null
If you do not mention any deadline on your invoice, the legal deadline of 30 days applies automatically.
What happens in case of delay?
From the first day of delay, you have the right to claim automatically, without prior formal notice:
- Late payment interest — at the ECB reference rate + 8 points (currently around 12%/year)
- A fixed indemnity of minimum 40 euros for recovery costs
- The reimbursement of all reasonable recovery costs beyond these 40 euros
These rights exist by operation of law — your customer cannot contest them by contract.
Calculation of late payment interest
Formula: Amount including VAT x Annual rate / 365 x Number of days of delay
Example: an invoice of 1,000 euros including VAT paid with 45 days of delay, rate 12%:
1000 x 0.12 / 365 x 45 = 14.79 euros of interest + 40 euros fixed = 54.79 euros
The 3-step collection procedure
- D+1 after due date — Friendly reminder by email: your customer may have simply forgotten. Remind them of the invoice, amount and IBAN.
- D+15 — Formal notice by email (or registered letter for large amounts): mention late payment interest and the 40 euro indemnity.
- D+30 — If still no payment: court bailiff or civil court (for claims < 5,000 euros, the procedure is simplified).
What must you mention on your invoice?
For your rights to be enforceable, your invoice must mention:
- The due date or payment deadline (e.g., "Payment at 30 days from invoice date")
- The rate of late payment interest applicable or the reference to the legal rate
- The fixed indemnity of 40 euros
Ledgerly automatically adds these mentions on each invoice.
Invoicing public administrations
For invoices to Belgian public authorities, the legal deadline is 30 days maximum, not adjustable. The administration cannot impose a longer deadline.
Ledgerly's advice
Enable automatic reminders in Ledgerly: the application sends a reminder by email at D+1, D+15 and D+30 after the due date. You no longer have to manually monitor your unpaid invoices.
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