24/06/2022

VAT on prosthetic bras and bathing suits falls from 21 to 6 %

UPDATE

This measure was published in the Belgian Official Gazette on the 5th of July 2022 and has entered into force. Numac code: 2022032714.

In order to benefit from the reduced VAT rate, a doctor's prescription for prosthetic bras and bathing suits is required.

Source

Breast cancer treatment is expensive, but survivors are often confronted with extra costs after treatment. We plead with the government to do something about this and are, therefore, very pleased that, last week, the Finance Committee in the Chamber of Representatives approved a law proposal from the PS that lowers the VAT on prosthetic bras and bathing suits from 21 to 6 %. The PS reported this on its website last week.

PS MP Hugues Bayet drafted the text for the bill, explaining why: ‘All those women, whatever their choice, should be able to be helped, supported and guided, including financially.’ He continued: 'Bras and bathing suits cost on average between 35 and 70 euros. You can't help but see how important this measure is when you know that 1 in 4 women has a hard time paying their health care bills, as shown earlier in the study “Breast cancer: the costs and hidden sides of the disease” by Solidaris.'

Bras and bathing suits cost on average between 35 and 70 euros. You can't help but see how important this measure is when you know that 1 in 4 women has a hard time paying their health care bills.

When does this law enter into force?

We will communicate via our social media channels, newsletters and website as soon as the law comes into force, but MP Hugues Bayet is hopeful that this will be the case by the end of July.

More financial support

Although the reduction in the VAT rate is good news, we want to go one step further in our fight for more financial support for survivors during and after treatment. Read more about this soon in our newsletters, on our website and on our social media.