Obtaining investment aid

What is investment aid ?

The concept of investment aid covers several forms of incentives designed to encourage companies to invest in Wallonia and support the creation of jobs. Some incentives also encourage companies to invest in equipment intended to protect the environment or use energy sustainably. The investment aid is a percentage of the amount of the investments. A tax incentive, in the form of exemption from withholding tax on income from real estate, may also supplement this bonus.

For what types of investment ?

Eligible investments can include the creation, extension or modernisation of infrastructure, as well as the acquisition of new equipment.

What are the different criteria ?

Wallonia may grant investment aid that will vary depending on:

• the size of the company;
• the location of the investment;
• any job creation;
• the benefit of the activity;
• the aid scheme applied for.

Why is the size of my company important ?

The size of the company is an important criterion, as this determines the type and level of aid you can apply for.

There are 4 company sizes: micro, small, medium and large.

What is the Company Passport ?

The Company Passport is a system to ascertain the size of companies (micro, small, medium or large). All applications for investment aid must be accompanied by an application for a Company Passport.

Find out more

Why is the location of the investment taken into account ?

In the legislation, the level of aid granted varies according to the location, namely whether the company is located in a development zone or outside one. These levels of aid comply with the maximum amounts set out in the map of development zones approved by the European Union. Each zone shown on the map states the maximum aid ceilings for small, medium-sized and large enterprises, expressed as a percentage.

Inspection: are you compliant ?

Inspections can be carried out at any time in the field. Their aim is to check compliance with current regulations, licensing requirements and the conditions for granting any financial aid provided by the Walloon Region and/or co-financed by European funds. These inspections aim to encourage compliance with the rules and sanction irregularities, fraud and certain forms of operation. 

Inspections can be triggered in a number of situations: on the initiative of the authorities, following a complaint or report, or at the request of the Labour Prosecutor the King's Public Prosecutor.

The inspectors in charge of inspections have several powers, including conducting investigations, drawing up Pro Justitia, entering workplaces or, with authorisation, inhabited areas, checking identities, searching for, examining and copying data media, making image-based observations, conducting hearings, and seizing and sealing goods. 

They can carry out these inspections unannounced, or announce them in advance. It is therefore important to always be ready to ensure that an inspection can run smoothly.

Legal framework: The work of the Inspection Services is governed by the Decree on Economic, Employment and Research Inspection, and the Decree on Vocational Training and Retraining. 

How to prepare for an inspection ?

You can be inspected at any time, whether announced or unannounced. To be ready for an inspection with peace of mind, it is essential that you comply with the legislation governing your business.

The best course of action, even before an inspection is carried out, is to keep the documents proving compliance with the regulations governing your activities (licences, cards, certifications, etc.) close at hand. Inspections are based on tangible evidence, not mere declarations. It is therefore important to provide the inspector with all the documents and information requested, in full transparency.

Collaboration is essential for effective, constructive inspections. Welcome the inspector and provide give them the help they need to accomplish their mission.

What to do after the inspection ?

If the inspection went well, congratulations! Keep up the momentum to maintain your compliance. However, if you have failed to take the necessary steps, or neglected certain legal obligations, you may be subject to sanctions. Inspections may reveal irregularities or infringements, varying in seriousness from minor irregularities due to ignorance of the law to outright fraud.

Depending on the situation, the risks involved are:

• a simple warning, with the obligation to put things right,
• a proposal to withdraw or recover all or part of the subsidy, approval or authorisation,
• a statement of offences, which may result in penal or administrative sanctions.

These sanctions may have consequences for your business. It is therefore important to regularise your situation as soon as possible to avoid facing this problem.