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2026 calendar

Public holidays in Belgium in 2026

Belgium has 10 federal statutory public holidays, mandatorily off and paid for all private-sector employees. In addition, regional holidays (Flemish, French, German-speaking Communities) apply only to civil services and some schools in the relevant community.

13
public holidays in total
10
federal statutory holidays
2
fall on a weekend
3
possible bridges

Full calendar

DateHolidayScopeNote
Thursday, 1 January 2026
New Year's Day
New Year's Day. Falls on a Thursday in 2026 → bridge possible with Friday.
National statutory holiday
✓ Bridge likely
Monday, 6 April 2026
Easter Monday
Day after Easter. Always falls on a Monday, so 3-day weekend.
National statutory holiday
Friday, 1 May 2026
Labour Day
Falls on a Friday in 2026 → 3-day weekend.
National statutory holiday
Thursday, 14 May 2026
Ascension Day
Always a Thursday. Bridge almost systematic with Friday (« 4-day week »).
National statutory holiday
✓ Bridge likely
Monday, 25 May 2026
Whit Monday
Whit Monday. 3-day weekend guaranteed.
National statutory holiday
Saturday, 11 July 2026
Flemish Community Day
Public holiday only for Flemish civil services and some schools. Not for the private sector.
Flanders
Falls on a weekend
Tuesday, 21 July 2026
Belgian National Day
Anniversary of King Leopold I's oath (1831). Military parade in Brussels, fireworks. Falls on a Tuesday → bridge possible with Monday.
National statutory holiday
✓ Bridge likely
Saturday, 15 August 2026
Assumption Day
Assumption of Mary. Falls on a Saturday in 2026 → no automatic compensatory day.
National statutory holiday
Falls on a weekend
Sunday, 27 September 2026
French Community Day
Commemoration of the September Days of 1830 (Belgian Revolution). Public holiday for French-speaking civil services and some schools. Falls on a Sunday in 2026.
French Community
Falls on a weekend
Sunday, 1 November 2026
All Saints' Day
Falls on a Sunday in 2026 → no compensatory day.
National statutory holiday
Falls on a weekend
Wednesday, 11 November 2026
Armistice Day
Commemoration of the end of World War I (1918). Falls on a Wednesday → bridge unlikely.
National statutory holiday
Sunday, 15 November 2026
German-speaking Community Day
Tag der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft. Public holiday only for German-speaking civil services (Eastern Cantons).
German-speaking Community
Falls on a weekend
Friday, 25 December 2026
Christmas Day
Falls on a Friday in 2026 → 3-day weekend.
National statutory holiday

Mandatory federal holidays

The 10 federal holidays are off and paid for all private-sector employees in Belgium (Act of 4 January 1974). If a holiday falls on a Sunday, labour law provides for a mandatory compensatory day within 6 weeks (except for retail during sales).

Regional holidays

Community holidays (Vlaamse feestdag 11/7, French Community Day 27/9, Tag der DG 15/11) are only public holidays for civil services and some schools in the relevant community. The private sector continues to work normally.
2026 « bridge » strategy

If you want to optimise your leave days, here are the most profitable bridges in 2026:

  • Ascension Day (Thursday 14 May) + Friday 15 May = 4 days for 1 day off. Ideal for an extended weekend.
  • National Day (Tuesday 21 July) + Monday 20 July = 4 days for 1 day off. Often combined with Tomorrowland week (18-26 July 2026).
  • New Year's Day (Thursday 1 January) + Friday 2 January = 4 days for 1 day off.
  • Easter + Pentecost are already 3-day weekends (Monday holiday) — no leave needed.

Tip: Belgian holidays are automatically available in Google Calendar / Apple Calendar (search « Belgium holidays »).

Sources officielles

10 federal statutory holidays + regional holidays (Vlaamse feestdag, Wallonia-Brussels Federation, German-speaking Community). If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it is NOT legally postponed — your employer may grant a compensatory day according to the work regulations.

Dernière vérification : mai 2026