Belgium
Introduction
General overview & country facts, as well as labour regulations.
Employer Contributions
These are additional costs incurred by employers over and above the employee’s monthly gross salary and/or bonus.
Employee Contributions
These are costs incurred by employees that reduce their monthly gross salary and/or bonus to determine their net “take home” pay.
Employment Terms
All you need to know about salary & bonuses, working hours & overtime, probation period, notice period & severance pay, as well as all leave types.
COUNTRY PLAYBOOK
Belgium
Everything you need to know about payroll, benefits & hiring top talent in Belgium
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Salary payment frequency
Monthly
Capital
Brussels
Time Zone
GMT +1:00
Official Languages
Dutch, German, French
Is English spoken?
Yes
Quick Links
Introduction
General Overview & Economic Facts
- Belgium, officially known as the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Western Europe. It has a population of more than 11,5 million people and only covers 30,689 km2 (11,849 sq mi).
- Belgium is a developed country with a modern capitalist economy. Belgium has the world’s 24th-largest economy by nominal GDP and the 37th-largest by PPP. Belgium’s Human Development Index is high ranking 14th
- Belgium is one of the founding members of the European Union (EU) and believes strongly in the power of the EU and deepening the integration of European countries
Why Employ In Belgium?
- Belgium’s major exports include motor vehicles, machinery, iron, steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, plastics, diamonds, food and livestock
- 11.2% of the population is between the ages of 15 and 24 years and 39.23% of the population being between the ages of 25 and 54. With a median age of 41.6 years old Belgium have a mature hard-working demographic who will have valuable experience and knowledge.
Overview Of The Labour Law
- Belgium has extensive labour laws that aim to protect employees. These labour laws are quite significantly shaped by consultations between social partners, namely employer organizations and trade unions. This results in employees having great protection from unemployment and other mishaps
- Belgium also has low professional mobility as minimum wage is high and there is a high level of protection of employees from labor laws and the social security system
- All Belgian citizens have the right to join a trade union and should not suffer any discrimination in the workplace as a result of joining a union
Fun Country Facts
- Belgium produces more than 220,000 tons of chocolate per annum. The Zaventem airport sells the most chocolate than any other place in the world
- Audrey Hepburn was born in Brussels
- Belgium has the world record for the longest period of time without a government in place
Why Use Playroll Services For Belgium?
- Employing in Belgium requires companies to have their own legal entity in the country as well as to manage payroll, employee benefits, taxes and legal compliance. This can get quite complicated, especially with the complexity of employment laws in Belgium
- With Playroll’s Employer of Record services, your team will be employed by our established legal entities in each country
- We will take care of payroll, employee benefits, taxes, legal compliance and provide ongoing employee support, so that you can focus on growing a thriving team
Employer Contributions
These are additional costs incurred by employers over and above the employee’s monthly gross salary and/or bonus.
Social Security
27.50%
Calculated on gross remuneration
Accident
Called Occupational Accident Insurance
Dependent on industry
Employee Contributions
These are costs incurred by employees that reduce their monthly gross salary and/or bonus to determine their net “take home” pay.
Social Security
13.07%
Calculated on gross remuneration.
Municipal tax
±7.00%
Calculated on net income
Income Tax
Income Tax is ‘Pay As You Earn’
Federal tax (per year) – Calculated on net income
Income bracket per annum
0.00-13,540.00
25.00%
13,540.00-23,900.00
40.00%
23,900.00-41,360.00
45.00%
41360.00 and above
50.00%
Employment Terms
General
Minimum Wage
- EUR 1658.23 per month
Working Hours
- Maximum of 40 hours per week
- Minimum of 15-minute meal interval after 6 hours of work
- Typical working hours are 08h30 to 17h30 Monday to Friday, which includes a 1-hour lunch break
Overtime
- Maximum of 2 overtime hours per day and 10 overtime hours per week
Notice Period
- The notice period will be a certain number of weeks and gradually increases as the employee’s seniority increases
Severance Pay
- Severance pay is equal to the current annual remuneration (including benefits) corresponding to the notice period
Probation Period
- Probationary periods have been abolished
- To compensate, the government has introduced a more gradual increase of the notice period that the employer must observe during the first six months of employment
Bonus
- All employees who have worked for at least one month must receive 13th-month pay as an end-of-year bonus
Public Holidays
Public holidays 2022
- January 1st – New Year
- April 17th – Easter Sunday
- April 18th – Easter Monday
- May 1st – Labour Day / May Day
- May 26th – Ascension Day
- June 5th – Whit Sunday
- June 6th – Whit Monday
- July 21st – National Day
- August 15th – Assumption Day
- November 1st – All Saints Day
- November 11th – Armstice Day
- December 25th – Christmas day
Leave
Paid Leave / Vacation Days
- 20 days per year
Sick Leave
- Paid leave
- Paid by employer
- 30 days per year
Maternity Leave
- Unpaid leave
- 15 weeks for a single birth, 19 weeks per year for multiple births
Paternity Leave
- Paid leave
- Paid by employer (first 3 days)
- 15 days per year
Parental Leave
- Paid leave
- Paid by Social Security
- If child born after 8 March 2012, employee can receive a government allowance for up to four months of leave
- If child born before 8 March 2012, employee can receive a government allowance for up to three months of leave
Study Leave
- Paid leave
- Paid by employer
- 28 – 364 days per year
Family Responsibility Leave
- Circumstantial Leave
– Paid leave
– Paid by employee
– Unlimited leave for important family events, civil obligations or court appearances
- Leave for Compelling Reasons
– Unpaid leave
– 10 days per year
Bereavement Leave
- Paid leave
- Paid by employer
- 10 days per year
Adoption Leave
- Paid leave
- Paid by employer
- 4 – 6 consecutive weeks’ leave (depending on the age of the child)
Start hiring in Belgium today!