Public holidays

Belgium closes down more often than you might expect, and not always on the dates you would guess. The good news is that the list of public holidays is fixed and published well in advance, so there are no surprises once you know them. 

This page explains which days are public holidays, how they affect shops, banks, and services, and what a "bridge day" is.

Contents
- Overview
- The official public holidays
- How holidays affect daily life
- Bridge days

Overview

Belgium has 10 official public holidays a year, set by federal law and the same across the whole country. What matters most day-to-day is what stays open on each one, since this varies by holiday and by sector.

 

How holidays affect daily life

On a public holiday, most shops, banks, and government offices are closed, and public transport usually runs on a reduced Sunday schedule.

• Supermarkets are typically closed, though some smaller night shops (nachtwinkel) stay open.
• Restaurants and cafes often stay open, especially in city centres.
• Schools are closed on public holidays, so check whether you need to arrange childcare in advance.
• If a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, many people take the Monday or Friday off too. See bridge days below.

Bridge days

A bridge day (brugdag) is an extra day off that "bridges" a public holiday to the nearest weekend, for example taking the Friday off when a holiday falls on a Thursday. Bridge days are not official public holidays, but they are common practice.

• Many companies close on bridge days, even if it is not a legal requirement.
• Schools often follow the same pattern, so check your school's calendar in advance.
• If you are not sure whether your workplace observes bridge days, ask HR early in the year rather than assuming.

Sources
- Federal government - Belgium.be
- Belgium.be - Public holidays