Following the submission of the payment request on 25 July 2024, the Commission has preliminarily concluded that Belgium has successfully fulfilled the 38 milestones and 8 targets set out in the Council Implementing Decision for the second tranche.

This set of 13 reforms and 34 investments is designed to deliver tangible improvements for citizens and businesses, with a strong emphasis on the green transition. Key areas of impact include digitalisation and connectivity, research and innovation, energy-efficient building renovation, greener transport solutions, education and social inclusion, lifelong learning, streamlined environmental permitting, and sustainable agri-food practices, as well as advancing the circular economy and enhancing the efficiency of public spending.

Notable measures in this payment request include:

Investment in rail infrastructure to support modal shift: Several milestones and targets aim to ease growing mobility pressures in Belgium and promote environmentally sustainable transport. A major target focuses on upgrading rail infrastructure, laying the foundation for a broader investment strategy. Among the actions completed are 27 infrastructure interventions to eliminate bottlenecks along the Brussels–Luxembourg rail corridor, and the installation of over 6,000 bicycle parking spaces at train stations in Flanders. Additionally, five train stations across the three Regions have been made accessible for persons with disabilities and reduced mobility.

Deployment of 5G through spectrum auctions and updated radiation standards: As part of a comprehensive reform of the high-speed connectivity framework, Belgium held auctions for key spectrum bands and adjusted radiation thresholds. In 2021, only 4% of Belgian households had access to 5G, far below the EU average of 66%. As a result of the reform, coverage rose to 40% by 2023, according to the Commission's DESI (Digital Economy and Society Index) dashboard.