Sick pay in Belgium (2026)
Last reviewed: 7 November 2026
In short: In Belgium the employer pays guaranteed wage for the first 30 days of incapacity, after which the sickness and invalidity insurance steps in. There is no waiting day. A medical certificate is required if the rules say so or the employer asks, within two working days unless another term is set.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Who pays sick payBeing ill and unable to work | The employer pays guaranteed wage (gewaarborgd loon) for the first 30 days of incapacity. From day 31 the sickness and invalidity insurance (Z.I.V.) steps in. [1] |
| Sick pay rateBeing ill and unable to work | Employees on contracts of three months or more: 100% of normal wage from the employer on days 1 to 30. Workers (arbeiders) and employees on shorter contracts: 100% on days 1 to 7, then 85.88% (86.93% for short-contract employees) from day 8; on days 15 to 30 the employer pays 25.88% (26.93%) of the wage up to the health insurance ceiling and 85.88% (86.93%) above it. The health insurance pays 60% of the wage up to its ceiling alongside. [1] |
| Maximum durationBeing ill and unable to work | Employer: the first 30 days of incapacity. A new incapacity within eight weeks after a paid period does not in principle restart the guaranteed wage, unless a medical certificate shows another illness or accident (incapacities from 1 January 2026). From day 31 the health insurance pays. [1] |
| Waiting daysBeing ill and unable to work | None. Since the waiting day (carenzdag) was abolished on 1 January 2014, guaranteed wage runs from the first day of incapacity for workers as well as employees. [1] |
| Medical certificateBeing ill and unable to work | The employee must tell the employer at once. A medical certificate is required if a collective agreement or the work rules say so, or if the employer asks; the deadline is set there, otherwise two working days. Twice a calendar year no certificate is needed for the first day where the employer requires one (firms under 50 staff may opt out). [1] |
Notes
- Workers and short-contract employees need one month of uninterrupted service to qualify (the 30 days then count from the first day of incapacity).
- An employee who does not report the illness or give a required certificate in time loses guaranteed wage for the days before it is done.
Sources
- FOD Werkgelegenheid, Arbeid en Sociaal Overleg: Schorsingen van de arbeidsovereenkomst - ziekte en ongeval (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.