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What Is Belgian Holiday Pay?
Belgian holiday pay consists of two separate statutory entitlements: single holiday pay, which is the employee's normal salary continued during time off, and double holiday pay, an additional supplement equal to roughly 92% of one month's gross salary, generally paid once a year in May or June.
Double holiday pay isn't a bonus tied to performance; it's a statutory entitlement calculated as 92% of gross monthly salary, and how it's paid out depends on whether the employee is white-collar or blue-collar.
Belgian Holiday Pay at a Glance
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Single Holiday Pay | Normal salary continued during statutory leave |
| Double Holiday Pay | Roughly 92% of gross monthly salary, paid annually |
| Typical Payment Timing | May or June |
| White-Collar Payment | Paid directly by the employer through regular payroll |
| Blue-Collar Payment | Paid via a sector vacation fund (RJV/ONVA) |
| Accrual Basis | Based on work performed in the prior calendar year |
Why Does It Matter?
Double holiday pay functions as a near-mandatory bonus payment that every Belgian employer must budget for annually, and getting the calculation or payment channel wrong is a common compliance mistake under Belgian employment law, especially for companies unfamiliar with the white-collar versus blue-collar payment distinction. It also affects total cost-of-employment calculations significantly.
When Is It Used?
Belgian holiday pay obligations become relevant whenever a company:
- Runs payroll for employees in Belgium and needs to budget for the annual double holiday pay supplement.
- Calculates pro-rated holiday pay for an employee who didn't work the full prior calendar year.
- Settles final holiday pay when an employee leaves the company.
A German manufacturing company employs a white-collar project manager in Belgium at €4,000 gross monthly salary. In addition to regular monthly pay and continued salary during vacation, the company pays a double holiday pay supplement of roughly €3,680 (92% of gross monthly salary) directly through payroll in May.
Common Misconceptions
No. They are separate entitlements; double holiday pay is tied specifically to vacation, while a 13th-month bonus, where applicable, is typically governed by the relevant Joint Committee.
No. White-collar employees are paid directly by the employer, while blue-collar workers are typically paid through a sector-specific vacation fund.
Not entirely. New hires receive a pro-rated amount based on months actually worked during the relevant accrual year.
Not exactly. It is exempt from standard social security contributions, though a special 13.07% employee contribution still applies to most of it.
Belgian holiday pay combines continued salary during leave with a substantial annual double holiday pay supplement, a statutory entitlement that significantly affects total employment cost. Employers should understand the white-collar versus blue-collar payment distinction and budget for this cost each year.
Hiring in Belgium?
We'll calculate single and double holiday pay, and your true total employment cost, before you make an offer.
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