Antwerp City Adjusts Multi-Year Financial Plan Due to Rising Costs and Reduced Subsidies
The Antwerp city government has reached an agreement on an adjusted multi-year plan to maintain the city's finances amidst rising costs and lower Flemish subsidies.
By Sofie Peeters
••3 min read
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Generic image: in warm afternoon light.
The Antwerp city government has agreed on an adjusted multi-year plan to keep the city's finances on track, despite external factors increasing costs by €610 million and reducing revenue by €380 million.
The Antwerp city government has reached an agreement on an adjusted multi-year plan that will ensure the city's financial course and maintain the priorities of the administrative agreement. This agreement will be further developed in the coming weeks and presented to the municipal council in December.
The uncertain geopolitical situation significantly impacts the finances of Antwerp City. Like many households, local authorities are facing higher energy prices and inflation. Compared to the multi-year plan drafted at the end of 2025, external factors between 2026 and 2031 will put a strain of €610 million on the city's finances.
Personnel costs are rising by €151 million due to automatic indexation and higher basic pension contributions. Energy prices will result in an additional expenditure of €38 million. Living wage expenses will increase by €31 million due to indexation and a growing number of beneficiaries. Furthermore, waste processing costs will rise by €10 million.
Concurrently, the city will receive €380 million less from the Flemish government. The majority of this, €290 million, relates to the Municipal Fund and the Cities Fund. The remaining €90 million consists of other Flemish subsidies.
Despite the more challenging circumstances, the city government has chosen to continue investing in Antwerp. This requires sharp choices and adjustments that will be visible across various domains. Over the next five years, the city will implement measures worth approximately €550 million. However, the city will strengthen its investments: from 2027 to 2031, an average of €100 million extra will be invested annually, on top of the already planned average of €335 million per year.
Antwerp continues to invest in the city of today and tomorrow, a city where everyone has a place. A safe, clean, and vibrant city, with space to live and do business. A city that offers opportunities to young and old and cares for those facing difficulties. These will remain the spearheads of urban policy in the coming years.
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"In the coming years, we will continue to work towards a safe, clean, and active city where life is good. But as a city government, we must also live within our means. This means making choices, setting priorities, and sometimes letting go of things that were taken for granted for years. At the same time, we will continue to invest in Antwerp's future. Because prudent governance also means leaving a strong city for future generations. I want to thank my colleagues for their constructive cooperation and the understanding that this exercise could not be postponed."
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"We will continue to manage our city finances prudently, even now that circumstances are tougher. Flanders provides us with a new starting point, which complicates our own budget exercise. We are making difficult choices, but these very choices give the city the space to continue investing. Thus, we continue to build a growing city, with a strong economy and prosperity and well-being for all Antwerp residents."
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"In difficult times, it is important that we take responsibility. We are fully aware of the significant effort required today, which necessitates difficult choices. At the same time, it remains important to invest in the future. This way, we ensure that there remains sufficient space for strong neighborhoods, a warm and livable city, and the partners who work towards this every day."
