Belgium
Belgium guarantees 20 working days (4 weeks) statutory annual vacation, with the vacation pay system (double allowance = 92% salary) paid in June. Maternity 15 wks (15 mandatory post-natal days), paternity 20 days.
Annual paid leave
Act 28 June 1971Act of 28 June 1971: 4 weeks = 20 working days. Accrual based on previous year (exercise year N, taken N+1). Vacation pay = double allowance (≈92% of monthly salary) paid in June. No Belgian system without vacation pay.
| Type | Duration | Pay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual vacation | 20 j ouvrés | 100% + double pécule | 1971 Act |
| Youth vacation | jusqu’à 4 sem supp. | ONEM | < 25 ans |
| European vacation | Pro rata 1ère année | 100% | Nouveaux entrants |
| Accrual | Année N → N+1 | — | Système belge |
| Termination | Pécule de sortie | 100% solde | Loi |
Public holidays
10 holidays (Act 4 Jan 1974)10 national public holidays. If on Sunday or non-working day, compensatory rest within 6 weeks.
| Day | Date | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 janvier | New Year | All | — |
| March-April | Easter Monday | All | Variable |
| 1 mai | Labour Day | All | — |
| May | Ascension | All | Jeudi |
| May-Jun | Pentecost Monday | All | — |
| 21 juillet | National Day | All | — |
| 15 août | Assumption | All | — |
| 1 novembre | All Saints | All | — |
| 11 novembre | Armistice | All | — |
| 25 décembre | Christmas | All | — |
Sick leave
30 days guaranteed + INAMIGuaranteed pay 30 days (employees) or 7+7+14 days (workers) at 100%. Beyond: INAMI at 60% (workers) or 65% capped salary (employees). One waiting day for workers since 2014.
| Scenario | Waiting | Pay | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employees d1-30 | 0 j | 100% employeur | Loi 1978 |
| Workers d1-7 | 1 j | 100% employeur | Loi 1971 |
| Workers d8-30 | — | 60% + complément | INAMI |
| INAMI > 30d | — | 60-65% plafonné | Mutuelle |
| Long-term incapacity | — | Variable | Après 1 an |
Maternity, paternity, parental
15 wks mat · 20 days patMaternity 15 wks (6 pre + 9 post, including 1 mandatory pre-natal week and 9 mandatory post-natal days). 82% for first 30 days, 75% after (INAMI cap). Paternity 20 days since 2023 (was 15) with 100% first 3 days then 82% INAMI.
| Type | Duration | Pay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maternity | 15 sem | 82% puis 75% INAMI | Plafond INAMI |
| Paternity | 20 j | 100% (3j) + 82% | Depuis 2023 |
| Adoption | 6 sem | 82% INAMI | — |
| Parental leave | 4 mois/parent | ONEM allocation | Jusqu’à 12 ans enfant |
| Time credit | Variable | ONEM | Selon motif |
| Breastfeeding | Réduction temps | Variable CCT | < 5 mois |
Special leaves
Small leaves 1963 ActAct of 28 August 1963 (small leaves): paid circumstantial leaves for family events (marriage 2 days, bereavement 1-3 days, birth, moving, etc.).
| Type | Duration | Pay | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee marriage | 2 j | 100% | — |
| Spouse/parent death | 3 j | 100% | Jusqu’au 2e degré |
| Birth of child | 20 j | Voir paternité | 20 j 2023 |
| Communion | 1 j | 100% | Enfant |
| Moving | 1 j | 100% | — |
| Child’s wedding | 1 j | 100% | — |
| Bereavement | 3-10 j (enfant) | 100% INAMI | Selon proche |
Information current as of last update. This guide does not replace local legal advice. For specific situations, consult a labor lawyer in the relevant country.
Centralize Belgium absence management
Illizeo applies the 1978 Act + INAMI + ONEM with double vacation pay, mat./pat. 15+20 days, small leaves and Walloon/Flemish/Brussels specifics.
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