All About Employee Leave & PTO in Belgium
Learn what you need to know about leave requirements in Belgium and how Justworks EOR can help streamline hiring.
How an EOR Can Help with Employee Leave & PTO
Belgium's employment laws set clear standards for annual leave, public holidays, and family-related leave. These requirements are mandatory.
Justworks helps you manage statutory leave through our EOR service, ensuring employees receive the required time off per local labor laws.
Employee Leave & PTO Expectations in Belgium
Belgium provides structured leave protections based on employee status. Employers must track leave accrual accurately and apply statutory rules consistently.
Vacation Leave
Full-time employees in Belgium are entitled to a minimum of 20 days of paid vacation per year. Part-time employees receive leave on a pro-rata basis.
Sick Leave
Employees are entitled to paid sick leave when unable to work due to illness or injury. For the first 60 calendar days per year, employees receive their guaranteed wage (100% of regular salary). After 60 days, social security benefits cover continued income protection through mutual insurance. Medical certification is required from the first day of absence.
Parental/Maternity Leave
Belgium provides pregnancy and parental leave benefits. Mothers are entitled to 15 weeks of maternity leave, including six weeks before and nine weeks after birth, paid through social security. New parents are entitled to parental leave, with income support provided by social security benefits.
Other Types of Leave
Belgium also recognizes additional leave rights, including bereavement leave for family deaths, jury duty and voting leave, and unpaid parental leave options. Employers must apply these rights in accordance with statutory rules.
Public Holidays in Belgium
Employees who work on a public holiday are typically entitled to premium compensation under applicable agreements. Belgium observes 10 national public holidays each year, including:
New Year's Day – January 1
Easter Monday – March/April
Labour Day – May 1
Ascension Day – May
Whit Monday – May/June
Belgian National Day – July 21
Assumption of Mary – August 15
All Saints' Day – November 1
Armistice Day – November 11
Christmas Day – December 25
Ready to Hire Confidently in Belgium?
Build your global team seamlessly with local experts who can help you understand the local labor market while saving you the time and hassle of hiring in Belgium.
