New research into the use of installment plans in Belgium
The demand for installment plans continues to grow. Whether it concerns energy bills, hospital invoices, or fines – paying in installments is gaining popularity among Belgian consumers. A good solution for those who are temporarily short on cash, but for companies, managing these plans is often a logistical and administrative challenge.
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How are Belgian organizations currently handling installment plans? What obstacles do they face? And how can technology help make this process more efficient and customer-friendly?
In February 2025, POM conducted a comprehensive market study among organizations from various sectors, including energy companies, water utilities, telecom providers, hospitals, insurers, and public authorities. The results speak volumes.
Some remarkable insights
- 62% saw an increase in the number of installment plans
Energy and water companies in particular are experiencing this firsthand: they are currently processing tens of thousands of plans per year. The energy crisis and inflation are leaving their mark. - High costs per plan due to manual follow-up
For 1 in 5 organizations, the cost per plan rises to more than €100. The biggest pain points? Administrative burden and staff deployment. - Low collection rate at many organizations
Only one third achieves a success rate above 75%. Especially when it comes to manual follow-up, many plans go awry.
But the report also shows how things can be better — with automation, smart monitoring and a customer-focused approach.