Belgium Public Holidays 2026
Belgium observes 10 statutory public holidays in 2026 governed by the Public Holidays Act of 4 January 1974. Easter Monday (April 6), Labour Day (Friday May 1), Whit Monday (May 25), and Christmas Day (Friday December 25) all deliver natural three-day holiday weekends. Ascension Day (Thursday May 14) and Belgian National Day (Tuesday July 21) provide ideal four-day bridge weekends (faire le pont). Because Assumption (Saturday August 15) and All Saints’ Day (Sunday November 1) fall on weekends in 2026, employers must grant two paid replacement days.
At a glance
Belgium has 10 official public holidays (10 days off) in 2026 and 4 long weekends; the longest break is Easter (Apr 4 – 6, 3 days).
| Public holidays | 10 |
|---|---|
| Total days off | 10 |
| Longest break | Easter · 3 days (Apr 4 – 6) |
| Long weekends | 4 |
Official public holidays
New Year's Day (January 1, 2026), Easter Monday (April 6, 2026), Labour Day (May 1, 2026), Ascension Day (May 14, 2026), Whit Monday (May 25, 2026), Belgian National Day (July 21, 2026), Assumption Day (August 15, 2026), All Saints' Day (November 1, 2026), Armistice Day (November 11, 2026), Christmas Day (December 25, 2026)
Belgium public holiday list
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's DayFalls on Thursday — Friday January 2 bridge creates a 4-day opening break.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | Easter MondayFalls on Monday, creating a nationwide three-day Easter weekend.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | Labour DayFalls on Friday, creating an immediate three-day holiday weekend.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 14, 2026 | Thursday | Ascension DayAlways on Thursday — classic 4-day bridge weekend (faire le pont).Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 25, 2026 | Monday | Whit MondayFalls on Monday, providing a three-day late-spring holiday break.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| July 21, 2026 | Tuesday | Belgian National DayFalls on Tuesday — taking Monday July 20 off creates a 4-day midsummer break.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| August 15, 2026 | Saturday | Assumption DayFalls on Saturday in 2026 — replaced by a statutory paid day off.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| November 1, 2026 | Sunday | All Saints' DayFalls on Sunday in 2026 — replaced by a compensatory paid day off.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| November 11, 2026 | Wednesday | Armistice DayFalls on Wednesday.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas DayFalls on Friday, creating a continuous three-day festive holiday weekend.Public holiday | Public holiday |
Statutory public holidays
10
Weekend overlaps (2026)
2 (Aug 15 & Nov 1)
Mandatory replacement days
2 days in 2026
Bridge days (ponts)
May 14 & Jul 21
2026 Belgium calendar
01January
02February
03March
04April
05May
06June
07July
08August
09September
10October
11November
12December
Belgium long weekends in 2026
Easter
3 daysApr 4 – 6
Saturday through Easter Monday.
Labour Day
3 daysMay 1 – 3
Labour Day on Friday creates a 3-day spring weekend.
Whit Monday
3 daysMay 23 – 25
Whit Monday on May 25 forms a 3-day holiday weekend.
Christmas
3 daysDec 25 – 27
Christmas on Friday delivers a three-day festive break.
Handling the two weekend overlaps in 2026: August 15 and November 1
In 2026, two of Belgium’s 10 statutory public holidays coincide with the weekend: Assumption (Saturday August 15) and All Saints’ Day (Sunday November 1). Under Article 4 of the Law of 4 January 1974, each overlapping holiday must be replaced by a regular working day off so that workers do not forfeit any part of their 10-day annual paid holiday entitlement.
Under Royal Decree rules, employers must finalize the 2026 replacement calendar and post it inside the workplace prior to 15 December 2025. Many companies schedule the replacement day adjacent to existing holidays (e.g. extending Christmas or Ascension) to create collective bridge holidays.
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Official sources & data
- SPF Emploi, Travail et Concertation sociale - Jours fériés 2026Visit sourceService public fédéral Emploi, Travail et Concertation sociale
- Portail officiel des services publics belges (belgium.be)Visit 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 2026?
The longest break in Belgium is Easter (Apr 4 – 6, 3 days).
What are the official public holidays in Belgium in 2026?
Belgium has 10 official public holidays in 2026: New Year's Day (January 1, 2026), Easter Monday (April 6, 2026), Labour Day (May 1, 2026), Ascension Day (May 14, 2026), Whit Monday (May 25, 2026), Belgian National Day (July 21, 2026), Assumption Day (August 15, 2026), All Saints' Day (November 1, 2026), Armistice Day (November 11, 2026), Christmas Day (December 25, 2026).
What are the main bridge weekend (faire le pont) options in Belgium in 2026?
The prime bridge options are Ascension Day (Thursday May 14 — take Friday May 15 off) and Belgian National Day (Tuesday July 21 — take Monday July 20 off), both yielding continuous four-day long weekends.
When must Belgian employers notify staff of 2026 replacement holidays?
Employers are required by law to display a dated and signed notice with the agreed replacement dates in the workplace prior to 15 December 2025, and lodge a copy with the Labour Inspectorate (Contrôle des lois sociales).
Do banking and financial institutions in Belgium close on all 10 statutory holidays?
Yes. Commercial banks and the financial sector close on all 10 statutory holidays. In addition, banking collective agreements commonly grant additional sector-specific bank holidays, such as Good Friday afternoon.
Are schools closed on public holidays in Belgium?
Yes. All elementary, secondary, and higher education institutions in both the Flemish and French-speaking communities close on statutory public holidays, as well as on their respective community holidays.
Can employees choose their own replacement day individually?
Only if no collective agreement exists at the sectoral or company works council level. In companies with flexible holiday policies, individual replacement choices are negotiated directly with management.
