Service Voucher Costs Set to Soar, Sparking Outrage and Government Intervention
Brussels, belgium – Households relying on service vouchers for essential tasks like cleaning are facing notable cost increases in the coming years, triggering a political firestorm and prompting calls for government intervention. A recent analysis by The Latest News reveals that users could see their annual expenses more then double by 2026, fueled by rising administrative fees imposed by service voucher companies.
The price hikes are uneven across providers. Poetsbureau, the market leader, will raise its hourly administrative costs from €1.50 to €1.90. Trixxo, the second-largest company, is abandoning its annual €144 flat fee in favor of a €1.50 administrative charge per service. The Latest News calculates that a household utilizing 4 hours of weekly cleaning services will face an annual bill of €312 in 2026, a stark increase from the current €144.
Companies justify the increases by pointing to a July wage agreement that boosted the gross hourly salary of their predominantly female workforce by €0.77. However, critics argue the administrative fee hikes are disproportionate and exploitative.
“Charlatans” Accusations Fly in Parliament
the issue reached a boiling point in the Flemish Parliament, where Employment Minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA) faced intense questioning. Lawmakers from across the political spectrum emphasized the vital role service vouchers play for working families and elderly citizens seeking to maintain autonomous living.
Demir didn’t hold back in her criticism of the service voucher companies, labeling them “charlatans who seize the slightest chance to increase administrative costs.” She highlighted the substantial public investment in the system - €1.6 billion from the Flemish government – while concurrently pointing to the significant profits enjoyed by the companies themselves. In 2023, the 37 largest service voucher firms collectively earned €33 million, with €25.7 million distributed as dividends.
“We are resolute to intervene to limit these increases,” Demir stated, suggesting a potential cap on administrative costs. However, she cautioned that legal challenges could arise, referencing the Council of State’s recent rejection of Wallonia’s attempt to completely ban administrative fees.
A System Under Strain Across Belgium
The cost pressures aren’t limited to Flanders. Brussels is currently capping administrative costs at €0.30 per voucher, but will increase the unit price to €11.40 from January 1, 2026, up from €10.40. Wallonia increased voucher prices to €10.40 in July, maintaining a €0.90 tax deduction but allowing companies to levy administrative fees.
The current situation echoes concerns surrounding earlier regional subsidies for solar energy growth – a program initially designed to encourage adoption that ultimately became a financial burden on public authorities, with costs increasingly passed on to consumers. Launched in 2003 by then-Flemish minister Frank Vandenbroucke, the service voucher system aimed to formalize the cleaning sector and provide affordable assistance. However, its long-term sustainability is now being seriously questioned as costs continue to climb.
Keywords: Service Vouchers, belgium, Cleaning Services, Administrative Costs, Zuhal Demir, Flanders, Brussels, Wallonia, Cost of Living, Wage Increases, Government
