Notice period for white-collar workers in Belgium
Since 2014, as a white-collar employee you have the same notice period as a blue-collar worker. The term depends on your seniority and on who ends the contract: your employer or you. If you joined before 2014, your employer counts in two parts.
How long is the term if your employer gives notice?
For a contract running since 1 January 2014, the law sets a fixed table in weeks. After one year of service that is 8 weeks, after five years 18, after ten years 33 and after twenty years 62. From twenty-one years on, every year you start adds one week.
If your contract began on or after 1 June 2026, that growth stops at 52 weeks once you reach 17 years of seniority.
Sources: FOD Werkgelegenheid, opzeggingstermijnen bij ontslag door de werkgever (contract vanaf 1 januari 2014) (checked on 23 October 2026); Securex Lex4You, opzeggingstermijn: een plafond van 52 weken voor nieuwe arbeidsovereenkomsten (2 juni 2026, wet van 18 mei 2026) (checked on 23 October 2026)
White-collar seniority from before 2014
Your term then consists of two parts that are added up. Part I follows the old rules for your seniority on 31 December 2013, part II the new table for everything from 1 January 2014, as if you only started then.
For part I your annual pay on 31 December 2013 counts. If you earned no more than 32,254 euros gross a year then, you get 3 months per started period of five years. If your pay was higher, it is one month per started year, with at least 3 months.
Sources: FOD Werkgelegenheid, opzeggingstermijn van de bediende, contract gestart vóór 1 januari 2014 (checked on 23 October 2026); Wet van 26 december 2013 betreffende de invoering van een eenheidsstatuut tussen arbeiders en bedienden (Justel) (checked on 23 October 2026)
Resigning as a white-collar worker
If you resign yourself, a shorter table applies with a maximum of 13 weeks, reached after 8 years. Since 28 October 2023 it no longer matters when your contract began or which status you used to have.
Sources: FOD Werkgelegenheid, opzeggingstermijnen bij ontslag door de werknemer (checked on 23 October 2026); FOD Werkgelegenheid, einde van de arbeidsovereenkomst voor onbepaalde tijd (checked on 23 October 2026)
What is your term?
Choose who gives notice and since when you have been employed, and see your number of weeks and last day straight away.
Frequently asked questions
How many weeks of notice do I get as a white-collar worker after five years?
If you are dismissed after five full years, it is 18 weeks. If you resign, it is 9. Each time it is your seniority up to the day before the term starts that counts.
Sources: FOD Werkgelegenheid, opzeggingstermijnen bij ontslag door de werkgever (contract vanaf 1 januari 2014) (checked on 23 October 2026); FOD Werkgelegenheid, opzeggingstermijnen bij ontslag door de werknemer (checked on 23 October 2026)
Does it still matter that I used to be a higher-paid employee?
Only for the part of your seniority from before 2014, and only if your employer gives notice. For everything from 2014 the table is the same for everyone, whatever your pay.
Sources: FOD Werkgelegenheid, opzeggingstermijn van de bediende, contract gestart vóór 1 januari 2014 (checked on 23 October 2026); FOD Werkgelegenheid, opzeggingstermijnen bij ontslag door de werkgever (contract vanaf 1 januari 2014) (checked on 23 October 2026)
General information based on the law and the sources listed. Your collective agreement, your contract and your payroll provider or union remain decisive for your own situation.
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