Notice period calculator: Belgium 2026
Choose who gives notice and since when you have been employed: you immediately see your term, its start and your last day. Below the calculator is the full statutory table, from the same calculation rules.
Calculate your notice period
Two questions, your term in weeks plus the concrete dates. Following the statutory tables of the unified statute.
Your notice period is 6 weeks
Resign this week and the term starts Monday 26 October 2026, making 6 December 2026 your last day.
During your notice period you are entitled to job-search leave. Indication following the statutory tables. Deviating collective agreement rules, severance payments and the pre-2014 transitional arrangement fall outside it.
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Notice period by seniority
In weeks, for contracts started from 1 January 2014 and before 1 June 2026. From 21 years, a dismissal by the employer adds one week for every year started.
| Seniority (from, up to less than) | Dismissal by the employer | Resignation by the employee |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 3 months | 1 | 1 |
| 3 to 4 months | 3 | 2 |
| 4 to 5 months | 4 | 2 |
| 5 to 6 months | 5 | 2 |
| 6 to 9 months | 6 | 3 |
| 9 to 12 months | 7 | 3 |
| 12 to 15 months | 8 | 4 |
| 15 to 18 months | 9 | 4 |
| 18 to 21 months | 10 | 5 |
| 21 to 24 months | 11 | 5 |
| 2 to 3 years | 12 | 6 |
| 3 to 4 years | 13 | 6 |
| 4 to 5 years | 15 | 7 |
| 5 to 6 years | 18 | 9 |
| 6 to 7 years | 21 | 10 |
| 7 to 8 years | 24 | 12 |
| 8 to 9 years | 27 | 13 |
| 9 to 10 years | 30 | 13 |
| 10 to 11 years | 33 | 13 |
| 11 to 12 years | 36 | 13 |
| 12 to 13 years | 39 | 13 |
| 13 to 14 years | 42 | 13 |
| 14 to 15 years | 45 | 13 |
| 15 to 16 years | 48 | 13 |
| 16 to 17 years | 51 | 13 |
| 17 to 18 years | 54 | 13 |
| 18 to 19 years | 57 | 13 |
| 19 to 20 years | 60 | 13 |
| 20 to 21 years | 62 | 13 |
| 21 to 22 years | 63 | 13 |
| 22 to 23 years | 64 | 13 |
| 23 to 24 years | 65 | 13 |
| 24 to 25 years | 66 | 13 |
Contract started from 1 August 2026
Only these bands differ; for all others the table above applies. Contracts that started in June or July 2026 get the cap of 52 weeks but still the old terms in the first 6 months.
| Seniority (from, up to less than) | Dismissal by the employer | Resignation by the employee |
|---|---|---|
| 3 to 4 months | 1 | 1 |
| 4 to 5 months | 1 | 1 |
| 5 to 6 months | 1 | 1 |
| 17 to 18 years | 52 | 13 |
| 18 to 19 years | 52 | 13 |
| 19 to 20 years | 52 | 13 |
| 20 to 21 years | 52 | 13 |
| 21 to 22 years | 52 | 13 |
| 22 to 23 years | 52 | 13 |
| 23 to 24 years | 52 | 13 |
| 24 to 25 years | 52 | 13 |
How the calculation works
- The calculator counts your seniority in full months and looks up the term in the statutory table for dismissal by the employer or by the employee.
- The term begins on the Monday after the week of notice; the calculator assumes notice is given this week.
- Your start month decides which version of the table applies: from June 2026 the cap of 52 weeks, from August 2026 the single week in the first 6 months.
- If you started before 2014 and your employer dismisses you, the calculator only shows part II, for your years from 2014; part I comes on top. For a resignation, your full seniority counts in the ordinary table since 28 October 2023.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my notice period?
Determine your seniority up to the day before the term starts, choose who gives notice and read the number of weeks from the table. Count those weeks from the Monday after the week of notice.
What is the notice period after 20 years?
For dismissal by your employer 62 weeks, for your own resignation 13 weeks. For contracts from June 2026 the employer limit is 52 weeks.
What changed in 2026?
Two things, only for new contracts: a cap of 52 weeks from 17 years of seniority for contracts that started from 1 June 2026, and a term of 1 week in the first 6 months for contracts from 1 August 2026.
How much is the compensation in lieu of notice?
The pay and benefits for the weeks that are not worked. Enter your gross salary in the calculator for an indication; the page on compensation in lieu of notice explains exactly what 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); FOD Werkgelegenheid, ontslag door opzegging: algemene regels (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); Securex Lex4You, kortere opzegtermijnen in de eerste 6 maanden (29 juli 2026, wet van 3 juni 2026) (checked on 23 October 2026); FOD Werkgelegenheid, opzeggingstermijn van de bediende, contract gestart vóór 1 januari 2014 (checked on 23 October 2026); FOD Werkgelegenheid, opzeggingstermijn van de werkman, contract gestart vóór 1 januari 2014 (checked on 23 October 2026); FOD Werkgelegenheid, einde van de arbeidsovereenkomst voor onbepaalde tijd (checked on 23 October 2026); FOD Werkgelegenheid, ontslag met betaling van een opzeggingsvergoeding (checked on 23 October 2026)