![flexi](/sites/default/files/styles/ratio_1_1_medium/public/2026-07/iStock-1809291119.jpg.webp?h=1e1c4cd8&itok=3BPTmU7I) [\#Tax & Legal](/en/news?topic%5B777%5D=777) [\#Flexi-job](/en/news?topic%5B1842%5D=1842) [\#Employment law](/en/news?topic%5B1850%5D=1850)# Employment law update: key changes since 1 July 2026 01/07/2026 | Reading time: 3 minutes ![Saskia Lombaerts](/sites/default/files/styles/ratio_1_1/public/2020-04/SLOM1.jpg?h=77a6c38c&itok=l_jKU9bA "Saskia Lombaerts") Saskia Lombaerts Partner Tax & Legal Services [Contact](/en/contact) Since 1 July 2026, several changes to Belgian employment law have come into effect. Below, we provide an overview of the most important updates. ## Flexi-jobs Since 1 July 2026, flexi-jobs are permitted across all sectors, both in the private and public sectors. The legislation is expected to be published shortly. Before employing a flexi-job worker, employers should proceed with caution. Each sector has the option to request a full or partial exclusion. Throughout 2026, a transitional arrangement will apply, allowing sectors to opt out on a quarterly basis. These opt-outs will be included in a Royal Decree that is yet to be published. It remains to be seen which sectors will make use of this possibility until the first Royal Decree is published. Flexi-jobs remain prohibited for artistic, artistic-technical and artistic-support functions. The prohibition on flexi-jobs within affiliated companies is abolished for full-time employees. It is also explicitly provided that temporary agency workers may perform a flexi-job, provided that the temporary work agency does not employ them both as a temporary agency worker and as a flexi-job worker for the same user. To perform a flexi-job as a pensioner, individuals must now already be retired in the current quarter, rather than in the second quarter preceding the flexi-job. Finally, employers engaging flexi-job workers must have an electronic time registration system in place. In the hospitality sector, the maximum flexi-wage will be EUR 21 per hour. In all other sectors, the flexi-wage is capped at 150% of the minimum basic wage, excluding premiums and allowances. ## Target group reductions for social security contributions Since 1 July 2026, the target group reduction available to employers hiring a first employee decreases from EUR 3,100 to EUR 2,000 per quarter. This applies to both new and existing target group reductions. The reduction remains available for an indefinite period. The measure is also extended from three to five employees, meaning that employers may also benefit from a target group reduction when hiring a fourth and fifth employee. The target group reduction for collective working time reductions and the four-day working week is abolished since 1 July 2026. Employers who reduce working time by at least one hour per week or introduce a four-day working week will no longer be entitled to this reduction in their social security contributions. For working time reduction schemes and/or four-day working weeks introduced before 1 July 2026, employers will retain the target group reduction for the remainder of the applicable period. ## Reintroduction of the probation period: changes to notice periods The probation period was abolished on 1 January 2014 but is now being reintroduced in the form of a shortened notice period during the first six months of the employment contract. During this period, both the employer and the employee may terminate the employment contract by observing a notice period of one week. The shortened notice period will apply from 1 August 2026 and will only apply to new employment contracts concluded on or after that date. ## Questions? Do you have any questions about these changes? Our HR Legal team will be happy to assist you. Do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to help. Broaden your knowledge about [\#Tax & Legal](/en/news?topic%5B777%5D=777) [\#Flexi-job](/en/news?topic%5B1842%5D=1842) [\#Employment law](/en/news?topic%5B1850%5D=1850) Share this news Contact one of our experts [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/ratio_1_1/public/2020-04/SLOM1.jpg?h=77a6c38c&itok=l_jKU9bA) ### Saskia Lombaerts Partner Tax & Legal Services ](/en/contact) [ ![](/sites/default/files/styles/ratio_1_1/public/2025-07/Male_Avatar.jpg?h=a141e9ea&itok=Xu6WVBeh) ### Stijn Switsers Associate Tax & Legal Services ](/en/contact) ## Structured data (JSON-LD) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "NewsArticle", "@id": "https://www.moore.be/en/news/employment-law-update-key-changes-since-1-july-2026", "name": "Employment law update: key changes since 1 July 2026", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.moore.be/sites/default/files/styles/ratio_1_1/public/2026-07/iStock-1809291119.jpg?h=1e1c4cd8&itok=nIajWXJg" } }, { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.moore.be/en/news/employment-law-update-key-changes-since-1-july-2026", "breadcrumb": { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.moore.be/en" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "News", "item": "https://www.moore.be/en/news" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Employment law update: key changes since 1 July 2026", "item": "https://www.moore.be/en/news/employment-law-update-key-changes-since-1-july-2026" } ] }, "inLanguage": "en" } ] } ```