For employees and employers
Holidays and holiday pay 2026 (Belgium)
In Belgium, the number of statutory holidays depends on the work done in the previous year (the holiday reference year). A full year gives 4 weeks of holiday: 20 days in a 5-day week. For employees who want to check their holidays and for employers.
Holidays in 2026
| Breakdown | Amount |
|---|
Leaving your job? Then you receive leaving holiday pay: calculate it with the calculator leaving holiday pay.
Explanation: calculate holidays in Belgium
In Belgium, the work done in the holiday reference year (2025) determines the number of statutory holidays in the holiday year (2026). A full year gives 20 days in a 5-day week. Salaried employees also receive double holiday pay (92% of the monthly salary for a full year). See also employer cost, which includes the double holiday pay.
Frequently asked questions
How many holidays am I entitled to in 2026?
That depends on your days worked and treated as worked in 2025. A full holiday reference year gives the right to 4 weeks of holiday: 20 days in a 5-day week or 24 days in a 6-day week.
What is double holiday pay?
In addition to their normal salary during the holiday (single holiday pay), salaried employees receive an extra bonus: the double holiday pay, 92% of the monthly salary for a full holiday reference year.
What about blue-collar workers?
Blue-collar workers receive their holiday pay through the RJV (National Annual Holiday Office) or a holiday fund, not directly from the employer. This calculator is meant for salaried employees.
Am I entitled to holidays as a starter?
Anyone who worked little or not at all in the previous year may, under conditions, claim youth holidays or supplementary (European) holidays. Those schemes are not included in this calculator.
Note: indicative, not advice
This calculation is an indication based on general statutory rules and 2026 rates and does not constitute tax, legal or payroll advice. For salaried employees. Blue-collar workers receive their holiday pay through the RJV or a holiday fund (see “Mijn vakantierekening”). Holidays are in principle taken in the holiday year itself. Not included: supplementary (European) holidays, youth and senior holidays, extra-statutory days (sector or company), leaving holiday pay (see the separate calculator) and changes in work pattern. No rights can be derived from this result.
Something wrong or missing? Let us know
Sources & values used
| Item | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Basis | work done in the holiday reference year (2025 → holidays 2026) | socialsecurity.be |
| Maximum | 4 weeks: 20 days (5-day week) or 24 days (6-day week) | socialsecurity.be |
| Days per month (pro rata, rounded up) | 12 m → 20 · 9 m → 15 · 6 m → 10 · 3 m → 5 (5-day week) | approximation |
| Double holiday pay | 1/12 of 92% of the monthly salary per month worked or treated as worked | socialsecurity.be |
- Social Security (socialsecurity.be) – Annual holidays (holiday reference year, max. 4 weeks, double holiday pay 92%) (in Dutch)
- belgium.be – Annual holidays (in Dutch)
Checked on 6 October 2026.