The prime minister of Belgium (Dutch: Eerste minister van België; French: Premier ministre de Belgique; German: Premierminister von Belgien) or the premier of Belgium is the head of the federal government of Belgium, and the most powerful person in Belgian politics.
The first head of government in Belgian history was Henri van der Noot in 1790, during the brief existence of the United Belgian States. Although Leaders of Government (French: Chefs de Cabinet) had been appointed since Belgium's independence, it was not until after World War I that the modern role of prime minister began to take shape. Before 1918, the king of the Belgians often presided over the Council of Ministers, but with the appointment of Léon Delacroix, the premiership gained prominence. Over time, the political influence of the Crown has diminished, while the role of the prime minister has become increasingly significant.