Do I qualify for vacation pay?

In Belgium, your vacation days and vacation pay are calculated based on how much you worked last year. This means:

1. Full-time (5-day week): If you worked full-time, you get 20 paid vacation days.
2. Part-time: Your vacation days are adjusted according to your working hours. For example, if you worked 4 days a week, you're entitled to 16 vacation days.
3. Worked Less: If you didn't build up enough days due to a late start, unemployment, or illness, you can apply for supplementary vacation.

 

Vacation Pay for Employees: How Does It Work?

As an employee, you receive your vacation pay from your employer. Your vacation pay is divided into ‘single’ and ‘double’ vacation pay:

1. Single Vacation Pay: This is your regular salary received during your vacation days.
2. Double Vacation Pay: This is an additional amount to help cover your vacation expenses. Double vacation pay is typically paid in May or June.

 

Important: If you're working as an employee under a temporary contract, you receive both your single and double vacation pay weekly, along with your regular pay. More details about this are in the article.

 

Calculating Vacation Pay for Employees: What You Need to Know

Your double vacation pay is 92% of your gross salary for the month it's paid out. This means you practically get an extra month's gross salary, on top of your regular pay. Fixed bonuses and benefits in kind are also included.

The exact amount you receive depends on your gross salary, work schedule, and the number of days worked in the previous calendar year. It's a nice bonus to fully enjoy your vacation.

Formula: Gross salary x 92% x days worked in the previous calendar year.

Example: Kaat earns €2,124 gross per month and worked full-time for 9 months last year. Her double vacation pay is calculated as follows: 2,124 x 92% x 9/12 = €1,465.56.

 

Vacation Pay for Laborers: A Different Process

As a laborer, you don’t receive your vacation pay from your employer, but through a vacation fund, such as the National Office for Annual Vacations (RJV). Unlike employees, you receive both single and double vacation pay all at once, between May 2 and June 30.

 

Calculating Vacation Pay for Laborers: Here's How

Your vacation pay as a laborer is calculated based on 108% of your annual gross salary.

From this amount, 15.38% is paid out as vacation pay. You can expect an amount roughly equal to 8 weeks' salary if you worked full-time the entire year.

 

What If You Haven't Worked the Whole Year?

Some days you didn't work still count towards the calculation of your vacation pay. These are known as equivalent days, which can include:

• Sick leave
• Maternity leave
• Short-term leave
• Certain types of temporary unemployment

 

For these days, a fictitious salary is calculated, which is added to your annual gross salary and considered in the calculation of your vacation pay.

 

Example Calculation

Lorenzo had an annual gross salary of €21,240 last year with no equivalent days. His vacation pay is calculated as follows:

• Annual salary at 100%: €21,240
• Increased annual salary at 108%: €22,939
• Fictitious salary due to no equivalent days: €0
• Basis for vacation pay calculation: €22,939
• Gross vacation pay (15.38%): €3,528.02
• Solidarity contribution deducted (1%)

 

Do I Get Vacation Pay if I’m Terminated?

Yes, you are entitled to vacation pay, also known as departure vacation pay, even if you’re terminated. This is paid by your employer and includes vacation pay for the days you have yet to take this year and the amount you have already earned for next year.

 

When Are You Entitled to Vacation Pay Upon Termination?

Upon termination, your employer is required to pay you both single and double vacation pay. This means you receive vacation pay for the days you have not taken this year and the amount already earned for next year.

For example, if you leave the company on July 1, you will have earned half of your vacation days for the following year by then. This amount will be included with your departure pay.

 

What Is Departure Vacation Pay?

Departure vacation pay consists of two parts:

1. Vacation pay for unused vacation days: If you have leftover vacation days at the time of termination, you will receive single vacation pay for these days.
2. Vacation pay for next year: During your employment, you accumulate vacation days for the next year. Upon termination, you will receive both single and double vacation pay for these days.

 

If you work as a laborer, this departure vacation pay is provided via the National Office for Annual Vacations (RJV). If you work as an employee, your employer will pay it out along with your final paycheck.

 

Vacation Pay through Temporary Work: Also Well-Arranged

Absolutely! Even if you work on a temporary or interim basis, you are entitled to vacation pay.

 

Calculating Vacation Pay for Temporary Laborers

As a temporary laborer, you build up vacation pay just like permanent employees. Your vacation pay is calculated based on the number of days you worked in the previous year. The temporary agency pays a contribution to the National Office for Annual Vacations (RJV), which then disburses your vacation pay between May 2 and June 30 of the following year.

Tip: Ensure that the RJV has your correct account number for smooth payment.

 

Calculating Vacation Pay for Temporary Employees

As a temporary employee, you receive your vacation pay immediately, rather than once a year like permanent employees. The temporary agency adds an extra amount on top of your gross salary, equivalent to an additional 15.38% with each payroll.

Since you receive vacation pay in advance, you won't receive an extra payout in May or June.

Tip: Want an extra boost during your summer vacation next year? Consider setting aside a portion of this advance payment.

 

Supplementary Vacation: What If You Don't Have Enough Vacation Days?

In Belgium, your vacation days are calculated based on how much you worked the previous year. But what if you haven't accumulated enough days, perhaps due to starting work late, a period of unemployment, or prolonged illness? In some cases, you can apply for supplementary vacation, also known as European vacation. 

 

What Is Supplementary Vacation?

Supplementary vacation allows you to take up to 4 weeks of paid time off, even if you didn’t build up enough vacation days last year. The number of days depends on how much you work this year, and this vacation pay is considered an advance on your double vacation pay for the following year.

 

When Are You Entitled to Supplementary Vacation?

You qualify for supplementary vacation if you meet the following conditions:

1. You start or resume a job after a period of unemployment, self-employment, or a switch to the private sector.
2. You have worked at least 3 months (90 days) within the same calendar year. This can be with different employers and doesn’t need to be continuous or full-time.
3. You have already used up all your regular vacation days before applying for supplementary vacation.

 

Laborers receive their supplementary vacation pay through the National Office for Annual Vacations (RJV) or a vacation fund and must submit an application for this. Employees receive their supplementary vacation pay through their employer and also need to apply for it with their employer.

 

Youth Vacation: Extra Vacation Days After Graduation

Did you just graduate and start your first job? You likely haven't built up enough vacation days yet. Fortunately, there's a solution: youth vacation.

This program allows young workers to take up to four weeks of vacation in their first year of work. This gives you, just like everyone else, enough time to relax and recharge.

 

When Are You Entitled to Youth Vacation?

Not everyone can utilize youth vacation. You must meet three conditions:

1. Under 25 years old: On December 31 of the year you graduated.
2. Recently graduated: You completed your studies that year.
3. Worked at least one month: You worked at least 13 days as a salaried employee in that year.

 

This program is temporary and applies only in your first year of work. From the following year onward, you’ll accumulate regular vacation days.

 

How Is Payment Handled?

During your youth vacation, you won’t receive a salary from your employer, but you will get an allowance from the National Employment Office (RVA). This allowance is 65% of your gross salary during the first month you take youth vacation, with a maximum of €2,191.26.

If you have already accumulated regular vacation days, those will be deducted first from your youth vacation. To receive the allowance, you must not have any other professional or replacement income.

Important to know: The allowance is paid retroactively, usually at the beginning of the month following your youth vacation. Submit your application on time to avoid delays.

 

Want to know more about vacation days, leave policies, or your rights as an employee? Discover our other articles about salary, bonuses, or check out our vacancies and find the job that suits you!