Belgium Public Holidays 2028
Belgium observes 10 statutory public holidays in 2028 governed by the Public Holidays Act of 4 January 1974. The year 2028 is exceptionally rich in natural long weekends: Easter Monday (April 17), Labour Day (Monday May 1), Whit Monday (June 5), Belgian National Day (Friday July 21), and Christmas Day (Monday December 25) all create immediate three-day holiday weekends. With New Year’s Day and Armistice Day falling on Saturdays, workers are legally guaranteed two compensatory replacement days designated by their employers.
At a glance
Belgium has 10 known statutory holiday dates in 2028; the exact days off and make-up workday arrangement are still pending the official announcement.
Provisional — pending official confirmation
| Public holidays | 10 |
|---|---|
| Total days off | — |
| Longest break | — |
| Long weekends | — |
Official public holidays
New Year's Day (January 1, 2028), Easter Monday (April 17, 2028), Labour Day (May 1, 2028), Ascension Day (May 25, 2028), Whit Monday (June 5, 2028), Belgian National Day (July 21, 2028), Assumption Day (August 15, 2028), All Saints' Day (November 1, 2028), Armistice Day (November 11, 2028), Christmas Day (December 25, 2028)
Belgium public holiday list
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2028 | Saturday | New Year's DayFalls on Saturday in 2028 — replaced by a statutory paid day off.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| April 17, 2028 | Monday | Easter MondayFalls on Monday, creating a nationwide three-day Easter weekend.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 1, 2028 | Monday | Labour DayFalls on Monday, creating an immediate three-day holiday weekend.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 25, 2028 | Thursday | Ascension DayAlways on Thursday — prime 4-day bridge opportunity (faire le pont).Public holiday | Public holiday |
| June 5, 2028 | Monday | Whit MondayFalls on Monday, providing a three-day holiday weekend in June.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| July 21, 2028 | Friday | Belgian National DayFalls on Friday, creating a three-day peak midsummer holiday weekend.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| August 15, 2028 | Tuesday | Assumption DayFalls on Tuesday — taking Monday August 14 off creates a 4-day bridge break.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| November 1, 2028 | Wednesday | All Saints' DayFalls on Wednesday.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| November 11, 2028 | Saturday | Armistice DayFalls on Saturday in 2028 — replaced by a statutory paid day off.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| December 25, 2028 | Monday | Christmas DayFalls on Monday, creating an immediate three-day festive holiday weekend.Public holiday | Public holiday |
Statutory public holidays
10
Three-day holiday weekends
5 breaks
Weekend overlaps
2 (Jan 1 & Nov 11)
Mandatory replacement days
2 days in 2028
2028 Belgium calendar
01January
02February
03March
04April
05May
06June
07July
08August
09September
10October
11November
12December
Belgium long weekends in 2028
Easter
3 daysApr 15 – 17
Saturday through Easter Monday.
Labour Day
3 daysApr 29 – May 1
Labour Day on Monday yields a 3-day holiday weekend.
Whit Monday
3 daysJun 3 – 5
Whit Monday on June 5 forms a 3-day weekend.
National Day
3 daysJul 21 – 23
Belgian National Day on Friday creates a 3-day summer break.
Christmas
3 daysDec 23 – 25
Christmas on Monday creates a 3-day holiday weekend.
A banner year for natural long weekends in Belgium
The 2028 calendar provides workers in Belgium with five natural three-day holiday weekends without expending annual leave: Easter Monday (April 17), Labour Day (May 1), Whit Monday (June 5), National Day (July 21), and Christmas Day (December 25). This marks 2028 as one of the most favorable years of the decade for employee rest and travel.
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Official sources & data
- SPF Emploi, Travail et Concertation sociale - Jours fériésVisit 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 are the rules if an employee falls ill during a public holiday in Belgium?
Under Belgian labour legislation, public holiday remuneration takes precedence over sickness indemnity for that specific day. However, the holiday is not postponed or recovered if illness coincides with a statutory holiday.
How many long weekends are there in Belgium in 2028?
Belgium features 5 natural three-day holiday weekends in 2028 (Easter, Labour Day, Whit Monday, National Day, and Christmas), plus classic four-day bridge opportunities around Ascension Day and Assumption Day.
When will the two weekend replacement days be taken in 2028?
The dates are agreed within each sector or enterprise works council before December 15, 2027. Companies commonly place them on the Friday following Ascension Day or adjacent to the Christmas holidays.
Is Whit Monday (Lundi de Pentecôte) a paid public holiday for all workers in Belgium?
Yes. Whit Monday is explicitly listed as one of the 10 statutory paid public holidays under the Law of 4 January 1974 across the entire Belgian territory.
Can international businesses communicate with Belgian offices on Ascension Day?
Offices are closed on Ascension Thursday and often remain shuttered on Friday due to widespread bridge closures. Critical operations should be coordinated well in advance of the four-day weekend.
