Public Holidays in Belgium 2026
10 statutory public holidays nationwide in 2026
Belgium has 10 statutory public holidays that apply nationwide. A key practical detail is that a holiday falling on Sunday or on an ordinary day of inactivity, usually Saturday, must be replaced by another rest day under employment rules.
Belgium Public Holidays 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thursday | New Year's Day |
| Apr 6 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | Friday | Labour Day |
| May 14 | Thursday | Ascension Day |
| May 25 | Monday | Whit Monday |
| Jul 21 | Tuesday | Belgian National Day |
| Aug 15 | Saturday | Assumption Day |
| Nov 1 | Sunday | All Saints' Day |
| Nov 11 | Wednesday | Armistice Day |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
The table lists Belgium’s 10 statutory holidays. It does not invent substitute dates because those can be set by sector or employer.
Ten Statutory Holidays, Flexible Substitute Days 2026
Belgium’s holiday count is simple, but substitute-day planning is not. Employers and sectors can determine which working day replaces a statutory holiday that falls on Sunday or a normal non-working day.
Holiday Rules in Belgium
If a statutory public holiday falls on Sunday or on an ordinary inactivity day, it must be replaced by another day of rest. The substitute day can be determined at sector or company level, so it is not appropriate to publish a single national substitute date for every worker.
Belgium Holiday Calendar: What to Know
- Belgium has 10 statutory public holidays nationwide.
- Belgian National Day is observed on 21 July.
- Weekend holidays require a replacement rest day.
- The replacement day can differ by sector or employer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many statutory public holidays does Belgium have?
Belgium has 10 statutory public holidays nationwide.
When is Belgian National Day?
Belgian National Day is observed on 21 July.
Does Belgium move Saturday holidays to Monday?
A replacement rest day is required, but it is not always Monday and can be set by a sector or employer.
Are substitute days the same for everyone?
No. Substitute dates can differ between sectors, companies and workplaces.
Sources & methodology
View sources used for this page
Federal government statutory holiday list and public-service closure note.
Independent calendar cross-check used for date, weekday and observed-day review. Government notices and statutory rules take precedence where they differ.
Source hierarchy: government, statutory or institutional material is the primary reference. Timeanddate is retained only as an independent cross-check; later official declarations take precedence.