Belgium’s August 1 Changes: New Rules on Notice Periods
Several significant regulatory changes took effect across Belgium on August 1, 2026, affecting workers, patients, residents, and energy consumers nationwide. The reforms include a one-week notice period for new employment contracts, video consultation options for speech therapists, doubled fines for illegal dumping in Brussels, and a phased energy excise overhaul, as reported by RTBF.
New One-Week Notice Period for Employment Contracts
From August 1, employers and workers can terminate an employment contract during the first six months of work with a one-week notice period, a reform proposed by Federal Employment Minister David Clarinval (MR). Previously, the notice period applied during the first three months and increased up to five weeks after six months of service.
The new rule applies automatically to all contracts concluded from August 1, covering both fixed-term and indefinite-term agreements. The stated ambition is to promote youth employment by removing a barrier for employers and to reduce the succession of fixed-term contracts often preceded by temporary work, according to VRT NWS.
The reform has drawn sharp reactions from social partners. The Federation of Enterprises in Belgium (FEB) welcomes the measure as one that gives employers confidence to conclude employment contracts. Jean-Charles Parizel, First Advisor at the FEB, argues that “the match between employer and worker happens on the ground, in action, when the worker is installed at their workstation.”
However, unions denounce what they see as a de facto return to the probationary period abolished in 2014. Selena Carbonero Fernandez, Secretary General of the FGTB socialist union, said: “The government talks about the return of the probationary period. In reality, it doesn’t reintroduce a real probationary period: it reduces protection against dismissal during the first six months of the contract.” The key difference is that the shortened notice period applies automatically to all new contracts, whereas the old probationary period required a specific clause in the contract.
Video Consultations for Speech Therapists
Speech therapists can now offer video consultations, a measure announced in May by Federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit). Doctors have been authorized to practice teleconsultations since the COVID-19 pandemic, while physiotherapists and midwives have offered video appointments since July 1.
Several conditions apply: the first appointment must be in person, a maximum of 10 consecutive video consultations is allowed, and video sessions are not authorized for children under four years old. Evaluation, assessment, and group sessions must also be held in person.
Minister Vandenbroucke said the measure benefits both caregivers and patients: “For caregivers, this will lead to fewer ‘no-shows.’ For patients, it will allow better follow-up. Care will not be interrupted by busy schedules and difficult travel.”
Speech therapists’ professional organizations express mixed feelings. Caroline Theate, Administrator of the UPLF, noted “a concerning 18% reduction in fees for video sessions,” adding that “a tele-speech-therapy session requires as much work as a home session, if not more.”
Brussels Doubles Fines for Illegal Dumping
The City of Brussels has doubled several “incivility” taxes effective August 1, proposed by Public Cleanliness Alderman Anas Ben Abdelmoumen (PS). Classic illegal dumping is now taxed at 1,000 euros per cubic meter (up from 500), hazardous and construction waste at 2,000 euros per cubic meter, and unauthorized garbage bags at 400 euros per bag. Illegal graffiti rises to 1,000 euros per square meter, and public urination fines increase from 250 to 400 euros.
The crackdown comes amid significant costs: in 2025, waste management cost the City 2 million euros, including 600,000 euros for removing 1,891 tonnes of illegal dumping. The City issued more than 7,700 fines for illegal dumping last year, a 61% increase from 2024, totaling 1.16 million euros, as RTBF reported.
The City is simultaneously expanding free bulky waste collection services, with residents getting two home pickups per year from autumn (up from one), allowing up to 15 cubic meters of bulky waste disposal per year—a 67% increase.
Energy Excise Reform and Other Changes
Excise duties on gas and electricity are changing in stages through 2029, shifting taxation from electricity toward fossil fuels. Electricity excise decreases from 50.33 to 46 euros per MWh in 2026, while gas excise increases from 8.72 to 10.31 euros per MWh. For an average household heating with natural gas, the net annual energy bill increase is approximately 5.50 euros, according to RTBF’s analysis. The reform aims to encourage electrification by making electricity more attractive than gas.
Additionally, the guaranteed average minimum monthly income rises to 2,233.61 euros gross, and the threshold allowing free renunciation of a succession increases to 6,664.95 euros through indexation, as La Libre reported.
What to Watch For
These reforms reflect broader policy directions: labor market flexibility to boost youth employment, digitalization of healthcare access, stricter enforcement of public cleanliness in Brussels, and a gradual energy tax shift toward fossil fuels. Further changes are expected through 2029 as the energy excise reform phases in, with diesel and petrol excise increases anticipated from 2027.