Belgium has just carried out one of the most drastic labor and Social Security reforms in its recent history. The European country has certified the definitive end of its particular lifetime unemployment benefit system, limiting the collection of aid to a maximum of two years. In parallel, and as of January 1, 2026, a tightening of the conditions for accessing benefits for career interruption during employment at the end of the career (a formula for reduced working hours similar to early retirement) has come into force.
The reform, promoted by the federal government to alleviate the lack of labor and guarantee the economic sustainability of the system, now has free judicial passage. On January 15, the Belgian Constitutional Court dismissed the annulment appeals presented by the main unions (CSC, FGTB and CGSLB), considering that “serious and irreparable harm” to workers had not been demonstrated.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Head of Employment, David Clarinval, celebrated the court ruling, ensuring that this measure is vital to “strengthen support for employment”, as reported by the EFE agency. Now, what exactly did you do this reform?
End of indefinite unemployment: up to six ‘waves’ of cuts
Belgium has ended indefinite unemployment benefits. The new general rule dictates that, if the access conditions are met, the unemployed will be entitled to a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 24 months of benefits.
For those who were already receiving this aid, the Belgian National Employment Office (ONEM) has designed a transitional regime structured in six ‘waves’ that will culminate on July 1, 2027, the date on which it is estimated that this lifetime benefit will no longer exist.
Additionally, the so-called “insertion benefits” (aimed at young people or people with little experience) are also limited to 12 months. As for those potentially affected, they have been referred to employment services (Forem or Actiris) to look for work, to CPAS (social assistance) if they are left without income, or to mutual insurance companies in case of illness.
The only exceptions that are exempt from these time limits are very specific groups, such as artists, fishermen and people over 55 years of age who can prove at least 30 years of contributions.
More years of contributions to be able to ‘retire early’
The Belgian Government has also reformed early retirement (RCC). Starting this January 2026, it is more difficult to access the subsidy paid by ONEM when a worker over 60 years of age reduces their working hours as a prior step to retirement. Until now, it was enough to prove 25 years of professional career.
However, with the new royal decreethe demands are progressively toughened until 2030, and they do so with a scale differentiated by gender, as stated the Federal Public Service. Men will need to have 31 years of contributions in 2026, a figure that will rise to 32 in 2027, 33 in 2028, 34 in 2029 and will be set at 35 years in 2030. For their part, women will need 26 years of contributions in 2026, rising to 27 in 2027, 28 in 2028, 29 in 2029 and 30 years in 2030.
The reason for this differentiation, according to the Government, is that imposing the same contribution period on both sexes would create “indirect discrimination” against women. The official data supporting the norm reveal that women have shorter careers because they assume the burden of care: in 2024, 40.9% of women worked part-time compared to only 12.4% of men, and six out of ten women admitted doing so for family or personal reasons.
Despite the harshness of the measure, the decree maintains an escape route from the age of 55 (and with the old requirement of a 25-year career) for situations of special vulnerability or hardship. Thus, workers in companies officially recognized as being in crisis or restructuring, those who practice arduous professions, employees with 20 years of experience working night shifts, or workers in the construction sector who cannot physically maintain their work rhythm will continue to benefit from these more advantageous conditions.