Planning your year in Belgium involves understanding a unique system where the law guarantees 10 official public holidays. In 2026, the calendar offers several opportunities for "bridges" and extended breaks, provided you know how the Belgian "replacement day" system works. Whether you are looking for the Belgium public holidays 2026 list or trying to understand your rights under a CCT/CAO agreement, this guide covers everything you need to know.

Complete List of Public Holidays in Belgium for 2026

Belgium observes 10 statutory public holidays. Below are the official dates for 2026, including their names in French (Jours Fériés) and Dutch (Wettelijke Feestdagen):

• January 1 (Thursday): New Year's Day (Jour de l'An / Nieuwjaar)

• April 6 (Monday): Easter Monday (Lundi de Pâques / Paasmaandag)

• May 1 (Friday): Labour Day (Fête du Travail / Dag van de Arbeid)

• May 14 (Thursday): Ascension Day (Jeudi de l'Ascension / Hemelvaartsdag)

• May 25 (Monday): Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte / Pinkstermaandag)

• July 21 (Tuesday): Belgian National Day (Fête Nationale / Nationale Feestdag)

• August 15 (Saturday): Assumption of Mary (Assomption / Maria Hemelvaart)

• November 1 (Sunday): All Saints' Day (Toussaint / Allerheiligen)

• November 11 (Wednesday): Armistice Day (Armistice / Wapenstilstand)

• December 25 (Friday): Christmas Day (Noël / Kerstdag)

The Belgian Replacement Day System

One of the most important features of Belgian labor law is the replacement day rule. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday or a Saturday (if that is a normal day of inactivity in your company), employees do not lose that day off. Instead, they are entitled to a replacement day.

Relevant Dates for 2026:

• Assumption Day (August 15) falls on a Saturday.

• All Saints’ Day (November 1) falls on a Sunday.

In these cases, the replacement day is usually determined by the joint committee (commission paritaire), the works council, or by an agreement within the company. If no specific day is chosen, the holiday is automatically moved to the first ordinary working day following the holiday (usually the Monday).

Regional and Community Holidays

In addition to the 10 national holidays, Belgium’s specific communities observe their own commemorative days:

• July 11 (Saturday): Flemish Community Day.

• September 27 (Sunday): French Community Day.

While these are official holidays for civil servants and some regional institutions, they are not automatic holidays for the private sector unless specified in a collective labor agreement (CCT/CAO).

Maximizing Your Time Off: Long Weekends and Bridges

The 2026 calendar is very favorable for creating "bridges" (ponts in French / brugdagen in Dutch) to enjoy 4-day weekends.

Automatic 3-Day Weekends

• Easter Weekend: April 4–6.

• Labour Day: May 1–3.

• Whit Monday: May 23–25.

• Christmas: December 25–27.

Strategic 4-Day Bridges (Take 1 Day of Leave)

• The New Year Bridge: Take Friday, Jan 2 off since New Year's Day is a Thursday.

• The Ascension Bridge: Ascension is always on a Thursday (May 14). Taking Friday, May 15 off is a common practice in Belgium.

• The National Day Bridge: National Day is a Tuesday (July 21). Take Monday, July 20 off for a mid-summer 4-day break.

Employee Rights and Good Friday

A common question in Belgium is whether Good Friday is a holiday. It is not one of the 10 official national holidays. However, some sectors (especially the banking sector) may include it as a holiday through specific collective labor agreements. Always check your sector's CAO/CCT.

Practical Tips for 2026

• Bank and Office Closures: All public administration offices, banks, and post offices are closed on the 10 national holidays.

• Retail and Supermarkets: While large malls are usually closed, many smaller supermarkets and local "Proxy" stores remain open on holiday mornings.

• Public Transport: Trains and buses follow a Sunday schedule on all 10 official public holidays.

• Plan Your Career Moves: Long weekends and brugdagen are also a great opportunity to prepare for your next job interview and get ahead in your career in Belgium.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Good Friday a holiday in Belgium? No, it is not a national statutory holiday.

What happens if a holiday falls on a Sunday? You are legally entitled to a replacement day off on a normal working day.

How many public holidays are in Belgium? There are exactly 10 official national public holidays.