Belgium Rail: SNCB Faces Cuts & Fare Changes in 2026

BRUSSELS – Belgian national railway operator SNCB is set to absorb the majority of a new EUR 100 million budget cut for the rail sector in 2026, marking the second consecutive year of significant fiscal tightening. The austerity measure coincides with a planned fare indexation, creating a complex financial landscape for the state-owned company as it navigates reduced public funding alongside contractual price adjustments.

Following discussions with Mobility Minister Jean-Luc Crucke, it has been confirmed that Belgium’s rail sector will face a substantial EUR 100 million reduction in its 2026 budget. National operator SNCB will bear the brunt of the cuts, absorbing EUR 60 million (60%), while infrastructure manager Infrabel will shoulder the remaining EUR 40 million (40%). This follows a similar pattern from 2025, when SNCB also absorbed most of a EUR 50 million cut. While SNCB has not yet detailed how it will implement the savings, Infrabel CEO Benoît Gilson stated that the impact on the infrastructure manager’s activities would not be “spectacular,” with its share of the savings to be distributed between the Flanders and Wallonia regions on a 60-40 basis.

Separate from the government-mandated budget cuts, SNCB has announced a series of fare adjustments effective February 1, 2026, as stipulated by its public service contract with the state. Standard ticket prices will rise by 2.14% and season tickets by 2.6%. However, in a move to incentivize ridership, SNCB is also introducing targeted price reductions and freezes. Most notably, the maximum price for long-distance season tickets will fall by approximately 16% as the maximum chargeable distance is reduced from 150 km to 120 km. Furthermore, prices for the Train+ card and supplements for pets and bicycles will remain unchanged, as will the rates for secure bicycle parking for passengers.

The financial strategy also extends to station amenities, with a clear focus on prioritizing rail passengers. Parking rates for train users will see an average reduction of around 27% for daily passes. Conversely, non-train passengers using station car parks will face a 2.6% price increase. This dual approach highlights a complex balancing act: managing reduced state funding through internal savings while simultaneously using nuanced pricing strategies to retain and attract customers. The fare indexation is a pre-agreed, automatic mechanism linked to economic indicators, distinct from the new budgetary constraints imposed by the government coalition.

Key Takeaways

• SNCB will absorb EUR 60 million of the EUR 100 million budget cut, continuing a trend of the operator bearing the majority of fiscal reductions.
• A contractual fare indexation will take effect on February 1, 2026, increasing most ticket prices by 2-3%, but this is unrelated to the budget cuts.
• SNCB is implementing targeted price reductions for long-distance commuters and rail passengers using station parking to encourage continued use of the network.

Editor’s Analysis

The situation unfolding in Belgium is a microcosm of the immense pressure facing state-owned European rail operators. They are caught between the pincers of government austerity and the strategic imperative to promote sustainable public transport. The decision to have SNCB, the public-facing operator, absorb a larger share of the cuts than the infrastructure manager Infrabel is a common political choice, but it places the burden on the entity most directly responsible for service quality and passenger experience. The challenge for SNCB will be to find EUR 60 million in efficiencies without impacting reliability, frequency, or cleanliness—factors that directly influence passenger choice. The simultaneous, albeit contractually separate, fare adjustments create a difficult public relations narrative. However, the targeted reduction for long-distance commuters is a savvy move, acknowledging the need to remain competitive for the most dedicated segment of their customer base.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will the EUR 100 million budget cut be divided?

The cut will be split 60/40, with the national rail operator SNCB absorbing EUR 60 million and the infrastructure manager Infrabel absorbing the remaining EUR 40 million.

Are all train fares increasing in Belgium in 2026?

No. While most standard tickets and season passes will increase slightly due to indexation, several fares will be frozen, including supplements for pets and bicycles. Furthermore, the maximum price for long-distance season tickets will decrease by approximately 16%.

Why are fares increasing if the railway’s budget is being cut?

These are two separate and unrelated financial mechanisms. The budget cut is a new government decision related to public funding. The fare increase is an automatic, pre-planned indexation based on the terms of the public service contract between SNCB and the Belgian state, designed to keep pace with economic indicators.