Belgium is preparing to reduce its spending on external consultants as the government seeks to strengthen public-sector expertise and lower administrative costs. Federal Minister for Public Modernisation Vanessa Matz is planning a 10% reduction in consultancy spending by 2029, a move expected to save almost €138 million.
The proposal is intended to reduce the government’s dependence on private companies for work that could be carried out by public employees. Under the plan, government departments would be required to check whether a task can be completed internally before signing a consultancy contract. These assessments would be handled with support from the Federal Public Service Policy and Support and the new Federal Digital Agency.
A central part of the proposal is the creation of a specialised group of highly skilled civil servants. These employees would provide expertise in areas where government departments currently rely on outside consultants. The government plans to invest around €34 million in training this group, helping public institutions build the skills needed to handle more work themselves.
The proposal follows concerns about the amount of money Belgium spends on consultancy services. A report by the country’s Court of Audit, published in 2025, showed that consultancy costs were around €300 million annually. The findings added pressure on the government to review contracts and improve oversight of external spending.
The plan is also connected to a wider administrative reform. Belgium intends to reorganise its federal public services by merging 12 Federal Public Services into seven broader thematic departments. The reform also includes a proposed 30% reduction in senior management positions and an overall savings target of €300 million during the current legislative term.
The government will need to balance cost reductions with the need to maintain the quality of public services. External experts are often hired for specialised technical work, so replacing them will require enough trained staff and suitable internal systems.
If implemented successfully, the proposal could give Belgian institutions greater control over important projects while reducing long-term reliance on private consultancy companies. The plan is expected to be submitted to the government for consideration.
