Belgium Public Holidays 2025
Belgium observes 10 statutory paid public holidays in 2025 governed by the Public Holidays Act of 4 January 1974 and supervised by the Federal Public Service (SPF) Employment. Easter Monday (April 21), Whit Monday (June 9), Belgian National Day (Monday July 21), and Assumption (Friday August 15) all produce immediate three-day holiday weekends. Ascension Day (Thursday May 29) creates a classic four-day bridge weekend. Under Belgian law, when a statutory holiday falls on a weekend, employers must designate a replacement day (jour de remplacement) during the same calendar year, ensuring workers receive 10 paid rest days.
At a glance
Belgium has 10 official public holidays (10 days off) in 2025 and 4 long weekends; the longest break is Easter (Apr 19 – 21, 3 days).
| Public holidays | 10 |
|---|---|
| Total days off | 10 |
| Longest break | Easter · 3 days (Apr 19 – 21) |
| Long weekends | 4 |
Official public holidays
New Year's Day (January 1, 2025), Easter Monday (April 21, 2025), Labour Day (May 1, 2025), Ascension Day (May 29, 2025), Whit Monday (June 9, 2025), Belgian National Day (July 21, 2025), Assumption Day (August 15, 2025), All Saints' Day (November 1, 2025), Armistice Day (November 11, 2025), Christmas Day (December 25, 2025)
Belgium public holiday list
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2025 | Wednesday | New Year's DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| April 21, 2025 | Monday | Easter MondayFalls on Monday, creating a nationwide three-day Easter weekend.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 1, 2025 | Thursday | Labour DayFalls on Thursday — Friday May 2 bridge creates a 4-day weekend.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 29, 2025 | Thursday | Ascension DayAlways on Thursday — prime 4-day bridge opportunity (faire le pont).Public holiday | Public holiday |
| June 9, 2025 | Monday | Whit MondayFalls on Monday, creating a three-day late spring holiday weekend.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| July 21, 2025 | Monday | Belgian National DayFalls on Monday, creating a three-day midsummer holiday weekend.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| August 15, 2025 | Friday | Assumption DayFalls on Friday, delivering an immediate three-day summer holiday weekend.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| November 1, 2025 | Saturday | All Saints' DayFalls on Saturday — replaced by a compensatory paid day off under statutory rules.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| November 11, 2025 | Tuesday | Armistice DayFalls on Tuesday — taking Monday November 10 off creates a four-day bridge break.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| December 25, 2025 | Thursday | Christmas DayFalls on Thursday — Friday December 26 bridge creates a four-day festive holiday break.Public holiday | Public holiday |
Statutory public holidays
10
Guaranteed rest days
10 days (no loss)
Three-day weekends
4 breaks
Bridge days (ponts)
May 1, May 29, Dec 25
2025 Belgium calendar
01January
02February
03March
04April
05May
06June
07July
08August
09September
10October
11November
12December
Belgium long weekends in 2025
Easter
3 daysApr 19 – 21
Saturday through Easter Monday.
Whit Monday
3 daysJun 7 – 9
Whit Monday on June 9 provides a 3-day weekend.
National Day
3 daysJul 19 – 21
Belgian National Day on Monday forms a 3-day summer break.
Assumption
3 daysAug 15 – 17
Assumption Day on Friday creates a 3-day holiday weekend.
The Belgian 10-holiday framework and replacement day system
Under the Belgian Law of 4 January 1974, employees in the private sector are entitled to 10 statutory paid public holidays per calendar year. By royal decree, working on a public holiday is strictly prohibited with limited exceptions for continuous and essential services.
Crucially, Belgian law guarantees that workers never lose a holiday due to weekend timing. When a statutory holiday falls on a Sunday or customary non-working Saturday (such as All Saints’ Day on Saturday 1 November 2025), it must be replaced by a paid working day off within the same calendar year. Companies must post the agreed replacement dates before December 15 of the preceding year.
The "Faire le pont" culture: bridging Ascension and other Thursdays
In Belgium, the French expression "faire le pont" (Dutch: "de brug maken") refers to taking leave on the Friday following a Thursday holiday (or the Monday before a Tuesday holiday) to create an unbroken four-day weekend. Ascension Day (always 39 days after Easter Sunday on a Thursday) is celebrated nationwide as the premier bridge weekend of the year.
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Official sources & data
- SPF Emploi, Travail et Concertation sociale - Jours fériés légauxVisit sourceService public fédéral Emploi, Travail et Concertation sociale
- Portail officiel des services publics belges (belgium.be) - Jours fériésVisit sourceService public fédéral Chancellerie du Premier Ministre
- Loi du 4 janvier 1974 relative aux jours fériésVisit sourceService public fédéral Justice (Moniteur Belge)
Frequently asked questions
What is the longest holiday break in Belgium in 2025?
The longest break in Belgium is Easter (Apr 19 – 21, 3 days).
Where can employers and workers verify Belgium’s official public holiday regulations?
Official regulations and replacement day filing guidelines are available on the portal of the Federal Public Service (SPF) Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue (emploi.belgique.be) and on the federal portal belgium.be.
How are replacement days determined when a holiday falls on a weekend in Belgium?
Replacement days are decided sequentially by: (1) the Joint Sectoral Committee (Commission paritaire), (2) the Enterprise Works Council, (3) collective agreement between employer and trade union delegation, or (4) agreement with individual workers. If no agreement is reached, the replacement day automatically defaults to the first regular working day following the holiday.
Are regional community holidays (Flemish, French, German) paid public holidays in Belgium?
No. Community holidays (July 11 for the Flemish Community, September 27 for the French Community, November 15 for the German-speaking Community) are official holidays for regional civil servants and schools, but are not mandatory paid public holidays for private sector employees unless stipulated by a sectoral collective agreement.
What compensation is required if an employee works on a public holiday in Belgium?
Employees required to work on a public holiday are entitled to normal remuneration for the hours worked plus a full day of compensatory paid rest (repos compensatoire payé), taken within six weeks following the holiday.
Do part-time employees in Belgium receive all 10 public holidays?
Yes. Part-time employees with a fixed schedule are paid for holidays falling on their normal working days. If a holiday falls on a day when they do not work, they are entitled to a replacement day proportional to their working hours.
