Belgium's Federal Public Service Finance, known as FOD Financiën, confirmed on Wednesday that its digital infrastructure had been targeted in a cyberattack, forcing the temporary suspension of several online services, including the country's main tax portal, MyMinfin.
The portal, used by individuals and businesses to file tax returns, access financial documents, and manage payments, was taken offline as a precautionary measure while security teams investigate the scope of the intrusion and work to secure the systems. Other online services operated by the agency have also been suspended.
In a statement, FOD Financiën said that so far there were no indications that personal data had been accessed or compromised, but that the investigation was ongoing. The agency did not specify the nature of the attack or who might be behind it.
Deadlines extended
Recognising the disruption caused by the outage, the agency announced that upcoming tax filing deadlines would be extended. New dates will be communicated in due course, giving taxpayers and businesses additional time to meet their obligations once the systems are restored.
The incident adds to a growing list of cyberattacks targeting public institutions across Europe. In recent months, Norway has reported a tripling of successful cyberattacks, highlighting the increasing frequency and sophistication of such threats. European firms are also facing widening security threats beyond cyberattacks, from espionage to sabotage.
Belgium's tax agency has not yet provided a timeline for when services will be fully restored, but officials said they were working to bring systems back online as quickly as possible while ensuring security.
The outage comes at a sensitive time for many Belgian taxpayers, who rely on MyMinfin to file their annual returns. The extension of deadlines will come as a relief, but the disruption underscores the vulnerability of critical public services to cyber incidents.
Cybersecurity experts have repeatedly warned that government agencies are prime targets for attackers seeking to disrupt public administration or steal sensitive data. The attack on FOD Financiën is a reminder of the persistent threat, and the need for robust defences.
As the investigation continues, Belgian authorities are urging users to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity. The agency has promised to keep the public informed of any developments.
