Four Major New Rules Take Effect in Belgium on August 1

As of August 1, 2026, several significant regulatory changes come into force across Belgium, touching nearly every aspect of daily life—from employment contracts and healthcare access to household energy bills and municipal fines. The reforms, spanning multiple levels of government and political portfolios, reflect the country’s ongoing efforts to modernize its labor market, expand digital healthcare, align taxation with climate goals, and combat urban incivilities.

Employment: Reduced Notice Period for New Contracts

Starting August 1, employers and workers can terminate a new employment contract during its first six months with just one week’s notice. The reform, championed by Federal Minister of Employment David Clarinval (MR), applies automatically to all new contracts signed on or after this date. Previously, the shorter notice period applied only during the first three months, rising to five weeks after six months.

The government has framed the measure as a tool to boost youth employment by reducing employer hesitation and curbing the proliferation of fixed-term contracts and interim work for young workers. The reform was approved by the Chamber’s Social Affairs Committee on March 31, 2026, and passed in plenary session on May 21, 2026.

However, Belgian trade unions have denounced the change as effectively reinstating the probationary period, which was abolished in 2014 with the landmark harmonization of blue-collar and white-collar worker statutes. A key distinction remains: the new rule applies automatically to all contracts, whereas the old probationary period required a specific clause in the contract.

Healthcare: Video Consultations for Speech Therapists

Speech therapists (logopèdes) are now authorized to conduct video consultations, following a decision by Federal Minister of Public Health Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit). This extension of telehealth services brings speech therapists in line with physiotherapists and midwives, who gained similar rights on July 1, 2026. Doctors have been permitted to conduct teleconsultations since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several conditions apply: the first consultation must be in person, no more than ten consecutive video sessions are allowed, and children under four years old are excluded. Evaluation sessions, assessment sessions, and group sessions must also remain in-person.

“For caregivers, this will lead to fewer no-shows,” Minister Vandenbroucke said. “For patients, it will allow better follow-up. Care will not be interrupted by busy schedules and difficult travel.”

Energy: Excise Duties Shift from Electricity to Fossil Fuels

A major reform of energy excise duties takes effect on August 1, with a phased implementation continuing through 2029. The program law, adopted by the Chamber of Representatives on May 29, 2026, raises excise taxes on natural gas and heating oil while lowering them on electricity.

The policy aims to create price signals that encourage a shift away from fossil fuels and toward electrification, which is increasingly powered by renewable sources. According to the SPF Finances, the net impact on an average household is modest—approximately €5.53 per year more—with gas bills rising by €18.17 annually (for 17 MWh/year) and electricity bills falling by €12.64 (for 3.5 MWh/year). The reform was originally scheduled for April 1 but was delayed due to parliamentary amendments and consultations with the Council of State.

City of Brussels: Fines Doubled for Illegal Dumping and Incivilities

The City of Brussels has sharply increased taxes on illegal dumping and other public incivilities, on the proposal of Alderman for Public Cleanliness Anas Ben Abdelmoumen (PS). The new tax regulation, in effect from August 1, 2026, through 2032, includes the following increases:

• Classic illegal dumping: rises from €500 to €1,000 per m³
• Hazardous and construction waste: from €1,000 to €2,000 per m³
• Unauthorized trash bags: from €150 to €400 per bag
• Authorized bags or cardboard left outside permitted hours: €200 per bag or m³ (new category)
• Illegal graffiti: from €500 to €1,000 per m²
• Public urination: from €250 to €400 per incident

The doubling of these taxes reflects rising waste treatment costs. In 2025, the City spent €2 million on cleanup operations, including €600,000 for removing 1,891 tonnes of illegally dumped waste.

Broader Implications

Taken together, these reforms illustrate the breadth of Belgium’s policy landscape on a single day. The employment reform represents the most politically contentious change, with unions warning of weakened worker protections. The expansion of telehealth signals a continued digitalization of Belgian healthcare, albeit with careful safeguards. The energy excise shift, while modest in immediate household impact, sets a trajectory toward greener taxation. And the Brussels fine increases underscore the growing fiscal pressure on municipalities to address urban cleanliness challenges.

As these measures take effect, their real-world impact—on labor mobility, healthcare access, energy choices, and urban behavior—will become clearer in the months ahead.