Belgium's Wallonia-Brussels Federation raises tuition for non-EU students, sparking political debate

Elisabeth Degryse of Les Engagés, Minister-President of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, announced a more progressive tuition pricing system for the 2026-2027 academic year, significantly increasing fees for full-price students, with the cost of French students estimated at 150 million euros. The move is part of a broader budget adjustment and has drawn political reactions, with Pierre-Yves Thienpont emphasizing continued consultation with the sector. The change affects higher education funding and cross-border student flows in Belgium.