How much does a painter cost per m² in Belgium in 2026?
Short answer: In 2026, interior painting in Belgium usually costs €25 to €45 per m², including preparation and two coats. Published guides range from €14 to €50 per m² depending on finish and wall condition. Hourly rates run from €25 to €60. These are market ranges, not fixed rates.
Prices in this article are indicative Belgian market ranges, not Alpha Services Benelux's price list. Your fixed price is in the quote.
Painter prices per m²: walls, ceilings and woodwork
For interior walls, Belgian price guides show €14 to €50 per m², and for ceilings €14 to €45 per m². The gap comes mainly from wall condition, number of coats and whether paint is included. Where sources disagree, the wider range applies and the price depends on the finish level.
| Work | Range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Walls in good condition | €14 – €35 per m² | Low end: standard paint, little repair. High end: materials and two coats. |
| Walls in poor condition | €20 – €50 per m² | Sanding, repairs, filler, primer and two coats. |
| Ceilings | €14 – €45 per m² | Overhead work costs more; low end applies up to 3 m high. |
| Woodwork (frames, doors, mouldings) | €35 – €60 per m² | Sanding, degreasing, lacquer or stain. |
| Lacquering an interior door | €30 – €55 per door | Door with frame: €80 – €150 each according to another guide. |
| Skirting boards | €3 – €6 per linear metre | Priced per metre, not per m². |
Damp rooms with washable, mould-resistant satin paint cost €20–€35 per m² according to one guide. By region, another guide gives walls at €20–€40 in Brussels, €15–€30 in Wallonia and €18–€35 in Flanders.
Painting a 50, 60 or 80 m² flat
For an 80 m² flat, one guide gives €2,500 to €5,500 incl. VAT (5 to 8 working days). We found no published total for 50 or 60 m², so calculate from the area actually painted (walls plus ceilings), which exceeds the floor area.
| Case | Range | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom, 12–15 m² floor | €350 – €1,600 | Two sources: €350–€700 and €1,000–€1,600, depending on finish and repairs |
| 80 m² flat | €2,500 – €5,500 | Published budget incl. VAT |
| Living space, 60–80 m² of walls and ceiling | €1,800 – €3,200 | Published example (incl. paint, preparation and labour) |
| 100 m² of walls and ceilings | €2,500 – €4,500 | Incl. paint, preparation, two coats (another guide: €3,000 – €3,500) |
| Worked example, 50 m² to paint | €1,250 – €2,250 | 50 × €25–€45 per m² |
| Worked example, 60 m² to paint | €1,500 – €2,700 | 60 × €25–€45 per m² |
The two worked examples are our own arithmetic based on the published €25–€45 per m² range; they are not a quote. Ask for the painted m² to be stated on the quote.
Filling and wall preparation: what does it add?
Filling usually adds €5 to €20 per m² on top of painting. On damaged walls preparation is a big part of the bill: one guide estimates it at 30 to 50% of labour time.
- Filling: €5–€15 per m² (Flemish guide), €8–€20 per m² (preparation, sanding) and +€5–€10 per m² (specific preparation).
- Masking and covering: €2–€5 per m².
- Wallpaper removal: €5–€12 per m².
- Plaster repair: €15–€30 per m².
- Mould treatment: €10–€20 per m².
- Painting walls in poor condition (with filler coats and sanding): €35–€45 per m² including paint.
A third coat, for example when going from a dark to a light colour, adds about 30% in paint and time according to one guide. For damp walls, have a professional assess the cause first: painting over damp does not solve it.
Painter hourly rate in Belgium
Hourly rates in 2026 run from €25 to €60 per hour excl. VAT. The high end applies in Antwerp and Leuven and for hard-to-reach or decorative work.
| Type | Range per hour |
|---|---|
| Self-employed, Wallonia | €25 – €35 |
| Self-employed, Brussels | €30 – €40 |
| Self-employed, Flanders | €30 – €45 |
| Painting company (SME) | €35 – €50 |
| Antwerp / Leuven | €45 – €60 |
| West Flanders / Limburg | €35 – €50 |
Other guides give €33–€38 (interior), €38–€47 (exterior) or €40–€55. Ask whether the rate includes paint and materials, as sources differ. For a full room, a per-m² or fixed price is easier to compare.
Façade painting: price per m²
Façade painting costs €15 to €55 per m² across guides. The spread reflects cleaning, base coat, substrate and scaffolding.
- Façade painting: €15–€30, €25–€35 or €30–€55 per m² depending on the guide.
- With preparation: €30–€40 per m². Façade renovation: €30–€50 or €35–€45 per m².
- Scaffolding: €500–€1,500 in total, or €8–€15 per m² per week according to another guide.
- Terraced house, about 80 m² of façade: €3,200–€5,500 including scaffolding, preparation and painting. Another guide quotes €2,800–€5,000 excl. scaffolding and VAT.
- Overall budget for a full façade: €3,000–€8,000.
If the job is mortar joints or repairs, see our guide to façade repointing costs.
What drives the price of painting
Five factors explain nearly all of the difference: wall condition, height, number of coats, finish level and region.
- Wall condition: cracks, wallpaper or damp increase preparation.
- Height: ceilings of 3 to 4 m add 20 to 30% (scaffolding), or a 15–30% surcharge above 3 m according to another guide.
- Coats and colour: a third coat adds about 30%.
- Paint and finish: matt, satin, lacquer or spray. A basic latex wall-paint finish (sauswerk) costs €9–€13 per m² and spray application €5–€9 per m² (excl. VAT), according to one guide.
- Season and region: off-season (November to February) labour discounts of 10 to 15% are possible according to one guide.
Every quote should state who supplies the paint, how many coats, what is protected and who cleans up.
VAT 6% or 21% on painting
For a dwelling that is 10 years old or more, used privately, with the work carried out by a professional and invoiced by them to the end consumer (owner or tenant), VAT is 6%. Otherwise it is 21%. Age counts from first occupation.
- Paint you buy yourself stays at 21%.
- Since 2022, a statement on the invoice replaces the certificate.
- Price guides differ: some show amounts excl. VAT, others incl. VAT. Always check.
Painting on its own is usually not subsidised. For any support schemes, check the official regional portals (energie.wallonie.be, vlaanderen.be/mijn-verbouwpremie and Homegrade in Brussels).
Comparing painting quotes without surprises
Compare quotes on the same basis: m² to paint, preparation, coats, paint type and VAT rate. Three comparable quotes tell you more than one low price.
- Ask for walls, ceilings and woodwork in separate m².
- Have filling, repairs and masking itemised.
- Check whether scaffolding or ladders are included.
- Confirm whether the price is excl. or incl. VAT.
- Insist on a site visit: without one, it is an estimate.
More tips in our guide to comparing contractor quotes. Alpha Services Benelux (active since 2014) works with its own team and issues a fixed written quote after a site visit; see renovation or the renovation calculator. Contact: 0485 44 55 12 or [email protected]. Renovation is by appointment.
Fixed quote after a site visit
Alpha Services Benelux does the work with its own team, active since 2014. VAT BE 0541.320.178.
Request a quoteFrequently asked questions
What does painting cost per m² in Belgium?
Indoors, usually €25 to €45 per m² with preparation and two coats. Guides range from €14 to €50 per m² depending on finish and wall condition. Exterior work runs €15 to €55 per m².
What is a painter's hourly rate in Belgium?
On average €25 to €60 per hour excl. VAT. Self-employed painters often charge €25–€45, companies €35–€50. One guide quotes €45–€60 in Antwerp and Leuven. Check whether paint and materials are included.
How much does it cost to paint an 80 m² flat?
One guide gives €2,500 to €5,500 incl. VAT for 80 m², over 5 to 8 days. The gap depends on wall and ceiling condition and the number of coats. For 50 or 60 m² there is no fixed total; calculate per painted m².
How much does filling walls cost per m²?
Filling usually adds €5 to €20 per m². Plaster repair runs €15 to €30 per m², and painting walls in poor condition (with filler coats and sanding) comes to €35–€45 per m² including paint, depending on condition.
Can I get 6% VAT on painting work?
Yes, if the dwelling is at least 10 years old, used as a private home and a professional carries out the work and invoices it to the end consumer. Paint you buy yourself stays at 21%. New builds are at 21%.
Sources
- Prix peintre en Belgique 2026 : tarifs au m² et à l'heure — Prix Peinture Belgique (mis à jour 15/04/2026)
- Peintre en bâtiment : prix par type de travaux au m² & tarif horaire 2026 — Guide-Renovation.be (Bobex)
- Prijzen schilderwerken in België 2026: alle tarieven per m² — Schilder-prijzen.be (gepubliceerd 22/06/2026)
- Schilderwerken: prijs per m2 - 2026 Prijzenoverzicht — Homedeal (10/03/2026)
- Schilderwerken: prijs per m2 en per uur — Renovatiekampioen (2026)
- Schilder Prijs Vlaanderen 2026 — Schildermatch Vlaanderen (bijgewerkt 20/02/2026)
- Prix de la pose de peinture au m² en 2026 (mur, plafond) — Alo Artisan Belgique
- Quand et comment bénéficier d'un taux de TVA réduit à 6 % pour les travaux dans votre logement ? — Test-Achats