Public holidays in Belgium (jours fériés / feestdagen) are 10 nationally recognised days each year when employees are entitled to a paid day off. The Belgian labour law (Arbeidsovereenkomstenwet / Loi sur les contrats de travail) governs public holiday entitlements, and the rules apply uniformly across all three regions — Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels-Capital.
Belgium’s public holiday system is relatively straightforward — 10 fixed holidays apply nationwide, with limited regional variations. However, the rules for compensation when holidays fall on weekends can be complex. This guide covers all Belgian public holidays for 2026 and your obligations under Belgian employment law.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult an employment lawyer for guidance specific to your organisation.
2026 Belgian Public Holidays
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Nieuwjaar / Nouvel An) | 1 January | Thursday |
| Easter Monday (Paasmaandag / Lundi de Pâques) | 6 April | Monday |
| Labour Day (Dag van de Arbeid / Fête du Travail) | 1 May | Friday |
| Ascension Day (Hemelvaart / Ascension) | 14 May | Thursday |
| Whit Monday (Pinkstermaandag / Lundi de Pentecôte) | 25 May | Monday |
| Belgian National Day (Nationale Feestdag / Fête Nationale) | 21 July | Tuesday |
| Assumption Day (Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Hemelvaart / Assomption) | 15 August | Saturday |
| All Saints’ Day (Allerheiligen / Toussaint) | 1 November | Sunday |
| Armistice Day (Wapenstilstand / Armistice) | 11 November | Wednesday |
| Christmas Day (Kerstmis / Noël) | 25 December | Friday |
Note: Assumption Day (15 August) falls on a Saturday and All Saints’ Day (1 November) falls on a Sunday in 2026.
Are All 10 Holidays Mandatory?
Yes. All 10 public holidays are mandatory for all employers in Belgium. You cannot:
- Replace a public holiday with a different day off
- Require employees to work without specific justification
- Pay employees in lieu of the day off (unless they actually work)
How to Pay Employees on Public Holidays
Public Holiday Falls on a Working Day
If a public holiday falls on a day the employee would normally work, they receive their full salary. The holiday is treated as a paid working day.
Public Holiday Falls on a Weekend
When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, Belgian law provides for compensation:
- Public holiday on a Saturday: The employee receives an additional day off or additional pay, depending on the collective agreement
- Public holiday on a Sunday: The employee receives a substitute day on the next working day
Assumption Day (15 August) falls on a Saturday in 2026. Check your collective agreement for how this is handled.
Calculating a Day’s Pay
- Fixed salary employees: Monthly salary ÷ average working days per month (typically 22)
- Hourly employees: Normal hourly rate × hours normally worked on that day
- Commission-based: Include regular commissions in the calculation
Example: An employee earning €3,500/month works Monday to Friday. Belgian National Day (21 July) falls on a Tuesday. Their daily pay is €3,500 ÷ 22 working days = €159.09.
Working on Public Holidays
Belgian law permits work on public holidays only in specific circumstances:
- Essential services: Hospitals, fire services, utilities, transportation
- Continuous operation industries: Manufacturing, hospitality, media
- Emergency situations: Fire, flood, industrial accident
- Special authorisation: The employer may need permission from the labour inspectorate
Compensation for Working
If an employee works on a public holiday:
- They receive their regular pay
- They receive a substitute day off — within the period set by the employer or collective agreement
- Premium pay may be required — check your collective agreement
The substitute day off is mandatory — you cannot simply pay double and skip the day off.
Public Holidays and Annual Leave
Public holidays that fall during an employee’s annual leave (vakantie/congé) do not count as leave days. If a public holiday occurs while the employee is on leave, their leave is extended by one day.
Example: An employee takes annual leave from 14-17 August 2026. Assumption Day (15 August) falls within this period. The employee uses 2 leave days (14 and 16 August), not 3.
Regional Considerations
Belgium’s three regions generally observe the same public holidays, but there are minor variations:
Flanders
- No additional regional holidays beyond the 10 national ones
- Some municipalities observe local holidays
Wallonia
- No additional regional holidays beyond the 10 national ones
- Some municipalities observe local holidays
Brussels-Capital
- No additional regional holidays beyond the 10 national ones
- Some municipalities observe local holidays
In practice, all three regions observe the same 10 holidays. The differences are primarily in local celebrations.
Collective Agreements
Belgian collective agreements (cao / convention collective) often provide additional holidays:
- Company-specific holidays — Some agreements grant an extra day for the company’s foundation day
- Sector-specific holidays — Some sectors have additional holidays
- Substitute days — Many agreements require a substitute day when a holiday falls on a weekend
Always check your cao/convention collective for additional entitlements.
Common Mistakes
Not Extending Annual Leave
Public holidays during annual leave must be excluded from the leave count. Failing to extend leave is a common compliance error.
Forgetting Weekend Substitutions
When a public holiday falls on a weekend, you must provide compensation. Check your collective agreement for the specific rules.
Incorrect Pay Calculations
Using the wrong divisor (e.g., 30 days instead of 22 working days) can result in incorrect daily pay calculations.
Ignoring Collective Agreements
Collective agreements often exceed statutory requirements. Failing to apply the correct cao can result in penalties.
Key Takeaways
- Belgium observes 10 public holidays each year — all are mandatory
- When a holiday falls on a weekend, compensation is required through substitute days or additional pay
- Public holidays during annual leave extend the leave period
- Employees who work on a public holiday receive a substitute day off
- Collective agreements often provide additional holidays beyond the statutory minimum
- The three Belgian regions observe the same 10 national holidays
Managing Belgian public holidays — especially the weekend substitution rules — requires careful tracking. Leave Balance automates holiday calendars so you never miss an entitlement.