What is the outplacement obligation in Belgium?
Outplacement (reclassement professionnel) is a programme of coaching and job-search support that a Belgian employer must offer certain dismissed employees. It applies to employees with a notice period of at least 30 weeks and, under a separate regime, to employees aged 45 or over.
Need help navigating local labour compliance?
Schedule a strategy callGeneral regime: notice of 30 weeks or more
Any employee dismissed with a notice period, or a notice indemnity, of at least 30 weeks is entitled to outplacement, whatever their age. Dismissal for serious cause is excluded. The programme gives 60 hours of support over up to 12 months: at least 20 hours in the first two months, 20 in the next four and 20 in the following six.
When the employee works their notice, the hours are taken from paid job-seeking leave. When the employer pays an indemnity instead, the outplacement is worth one twelfth of the employee’s gross pay for the previous calendar year, with a minimum of €1,800 and a maximum of €5,500 excluding VAT, and the indemnity is reduced by 4 weeks.
Special regime: employees aged 45 and over
Private-sector employees aged 45 or more, with at least one year of uninterrupted service and a notice period of less than 30 weeks, are covered by collective labour agreement No. 82. They are also entitled to 60 hours over up to 12 months. An employer that fails to meet this obligation pays a compensation contribution to the National Employment Office (ONEM).
Deadlines and the employability budget
Under the general regime, the employer must send a written offer by registered letter no later than 4 weeks after the notice period starts, or 15 days after the contract ends when an indemnity is paid. Employees with a legal notice period of at least 30 weeks can also claim a one-off employability budget from ONEM, set at €1,840 from 1 January 2026.
Outplacement when you hire through an EOR
Outplacement is a dismissal cost employers often leave out of their budget. With TopSource as your Employer of Record in Belgium, we include it in every termination we cost for you and send the offer within the legal deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
Who is entitled to outplacement in Belgium?
Employees dismissed with a notice period or indemnity of at least 30 weeks, and employees aged 45 or over with at least one year of service and shorter notice. Dismissal for serious cause is excluded.
How much does outplacement cost?
Under the general regime it is worth one twelfth of the employee’s previous-year gross pay, between €1,800 and €5,500 excluding VAT. When the employer pays an indemnity instead of notice, the indemnity is reduced by 4 weeks.
What happens if the employer does not offer outplacement?
Under the general regime, the employee can put the employer on notice, and the employer loses the 4-week reduction if no valid offer follows. Under the special regime for employees aged 45 and over, the employer also owes a contribution to ONEM.