Belgian royal family security costs nearly 21 million euros annually
The cost of securing the Belgian royal family reached nearly 21 million euros last year, an average of 57,000 euros per day. The figure includes personnel, operational and investment expenses related to their protection and has raised eyebrows due to a sharp increase over recent years. The expenditure exceeds the combined annual allowances granted to the royal family and has renewed calls for greater transparency and accountability from politicians, particularly within the N-VA party.
Security for the royal family is provided by the Royal Palace Security Detachment (VDKP), a special unit within the federal police composed of around 200 officers. The unit is tasked with protecting King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, Crown Princess Elisabeth and other royals, particularly when they undertake official duties. Security operations cover both personal protection and surveillance of royal estates. Officers include uniformed personnel guarding royal properties and plainclothes bodyguards trained in close protection and high-performance driving, often escorting the royals in armoured limousines.
Defence Ministry also foots the bill
The increased budget coincides with broader concerns about public spending. While the Ministry of the Interior is responsible for the majority of the costs, the Ministry of Defence also contributed 3.5 million euros last year. This covered the royal military household and the King’s unofficial air travel abroad, with destinations reportedly including Spain, France, Italy and Germany. These trips are handled by Defence partly for security reasons.
Calls for greater transparency
Politicians and police union representatives have pointed to the dramatic 40 per cent increase in royal security costs over the past four years. Some of this is attributed to improved police salaries and benefits, as well as Crown Princess Elisabeth's studies abroad, which required a consistent security presence in both the UK and the US. Still, critics argue that the rise cannot be fully explained by inflation or changing operational needs.
Peter Buysrogge, N-VA MP and chair of the House Defence Committee, has urged the government to provide more transparency, saying, “The royal family must, of course, be able to carry out its duties in complete safety. But this is still a substantial additional cost, which cannot be explained solely by factors such as increased inflation.” He also noted that the total security spending now exceeds the roughly 17 million euros in annual public subsidies received by senior royals, including King Philippe, King Albert, Princess Astrid and Prince Laurent.
Trade union voices have echoed these concerns. “Especially when you consider that many services within the federal police have had to make significant cuts in recent years,” said Joery Dehaes of the ACV union.
The N-VA party, long critical of the monarchy, has maintained its position that the institution should eventually be abolished. Until then, it advocates transforming the monarchy into a purely ceremonial role, with the corresponding reduction in public spending.
Neither the Royal Palace nor the federal police offered additional comment, citing security concerns.
The Belgian royal family arrives for the Te Deum mass, on the occasion of the Belgian National Day on 21 July, 2025.
© PHOTO ROBIN UTRECHT / ABACAPRESS.COM
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