Public holidays
2026
Ten statutory public holidays, eight on a workday. For the two on a weekend, you get a replacement day.
In 2026, two public holidays fall on a weekend: Assumption (Saturday 15 August) and All Saints (Sunday 1 November). The Sunday is always replaced. The Saturday usually is too.
If a statutory public holiday falls on a Sunday, you get a replacement day in the same calendar year. The same applies to Saturdays, provided Saturday isn't a regular workday at your company (Law of 4 January 1974, art. 6).
New Year
thursday 1 jan.
Falls on a Thursday.
Easter Monday
monday 6 apr.
Always a Monday. Long weekend.
Labour Day
friday 1 may.
Falls on a Friday. Long weekend without leave.
Ascension Day
thursday 14 may.
Always a Thursday.
Whit Monday
monday 25 may.
Always a Monday. Long weekend.
National Day
tuesday 21 jul.
Falls on a Tuesday. One vacation day gets you four days off.
Assumption
saturday 15 aug.
Replacement day required if Saturday isn't a workday for you.
All Saints
sunday 1 nov.
Replacement day required.
Armistice
wednesday 11 nov.
Always 11 November, a Wednesday in 2026. Four vacation days get you nine days off.
Christmas
friday 25 dec.
Falls on a Friday. Four vacation days between Christmas and New Year get you ten days off.
Regional and community holidays
If you work for a community or region, you get one extra public holiday. In the private sector only if your CBA or work rules say so.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 May | Friday | Iris (Brussels-Capital Region) | Brussels regional civil servants |
| 11 July | Saturday | Flemish Community | Flemish public services and education |
| 20 September | Sunday | Walloon Region (3rd Sunday of September) | Walloon regional civil servants |
| 27 September | Sunday | Federation Wallonia-Brussels | FWB civil servants and French-speaking education |
| 15 November | Sunday | German-speaking Community (St Martin) | East Belgian public services |