Belgian unemployment legislation is being reformed. The reform includes transitional measures, a limit on the duration of benefits, more flexible access to benefits and an increase in the amount of the initial benefits. The transitional measures apply from 1 July 2025. However, the other reforms will not come into force until a later date, namely 1 March 2026. These reforms are discussed below.
The transitional measures apply from 1 July 2025. Belgian residents who are already receiving Belgian unemployment benefits before that date risk losing their entitlement to benefits. This will happen in several waves.
For the first wave, entitlement to Belgian unemployment benefits will end on 1 January 2026. The first wave includes unemployed people who have been receiving an activation benefits for more than a year and unemployed people who are in the third benefit period and have been fully unemployed for at least 20 years. For the second wave, entitlement to Belgian unemployment benefits ends on 1 March 2026. The second wave includes unemployed people who are in the third benefit period and who have been fully unemployed for between 8 and 20 years. For the third wave, entitlement to Belgian unemployment benefits ends on 1 April 2026. The third wave includes unemployed people who are in the third benefit period and who have been fully unemployed for between 4 and 8 years. The third benefit period begins at the earliest after 48 months of unemployment.
For the fourth wave, entitlement to Belgian unemployment benefits ends on 1 July 2026. The fourth wave includes unemployed people who are in the second benefit period. The second benefit period begins after 12 months of unemployment. For the fifth wave, entitlement ends between 1 July 2026 and 1 June 2027. The fifth wave includes unemployed people with less than five years’ work experience who receive benefits during the first benefit period. The actual end of their entitlement to Belgian unemployment benefits depends on their actual work experience. For the sixth and final wave, entitlement to Belgian unemployment benefits ends on 1 July 2027. The sixth and final wave includes unemployed people with 5 years or more of work experience who receive benefits during the first benefit period.
In addition to exceptions for certain professional categories and personal situations, a general exception applies to unemployed people over 55 with more than 30 years’ professional experience.
The transition period prepares us for the most important reform, namely the time limit on Belgian unemployment benefits. While Belgian unemployment benefits could until now been paid for an unlimited period under certain conditions, it will in the future be limited to a maximum of 24 months. From 1 March 2026, fully unemployed Belgian residents who meet the eligibility conditions (a minimum number of days worked during a reference period, see below) will be entitled to Belgian unemployment benefits for 12 months.
Depending on work experience, these Belgian unemployment benefits may be extended by a further 12 months, up to a total maximum of 24 months. Each period of work or assimilation of 4 months exceeding the eligibility conditions entitles a fully unemployed Belgian resident to a one-month extension of their unemployment benefits. Professional experience of at least five years therefore grants entitlement to a maximum of 24 months unemployment benefits: 12 months for the first year of work experience, four times three (i.e. 12) months for the following four years of work experience.
Access to unemployment benefit will become more flexible. Proof of 312 days’ work or an equivalent number of days’ work over a reference period of 36 months will be required. This reference period is extended in certain cases, such as illness or disability. This reform will not come into force until 1 March 2026. As soon as we have more information on the reformed access conditions, you will find it here.
The amount of the initial unemployment benefits will be increased, but will also decrease more rapidly over time. This reform will also only take effect from 1 March 2026. As soon as we have more information on the amount of unemployment benefit, you will find it here.
More information on the reform of Belgian unemployment legislation can be found on the website of the Belgian (un)employment office: https://www.rva.be/bladzijde/hervorming-van-de-werkloosheidsverzekering (NL), https://www.onem.be/page/reforme-de-l-assurance-chomage (FR), or https://www.lfa.be/seite/reform-der-arbeitslosenversicherung (DE).