Belgium (BE)
Belgium is a small but densely populated federal kingdom at the crossroads of Western Europe, split across three linguistic regions — Dutch-speaking Flanders, French-speaking Wallonia, and bilingual Brussels — and famed for its medieval cities, world-class beer and chocolate, and its role as the de facto capital of the European Union.
Family Rights & Benefits
Maternity, parental leave and child benefits in Belgium.
Belgium has comprehensive family protection legislation covering maternity and paternity leave, parental leave, adoption leave, and extensive child benefits. Since 2020, family allowances (child benefit) have been regionalised — Flanders runs the Groeipakket, Wallonia runs Famiwal, and Brussels runs Iriscare. Despite regionalisation, the core principles are similar: all children legally residing in Belgium receive child benefit regardless of their parents' nationality or employment status.
Maternity leave (Moederschapsverlof / Congé de maternité)
Before birth: 6 weeks before the expected due date (of which at least 1 week before is compulsory). Remaining ante-natal weeks can be added post-birth if not used (up to 5 extra weeks).
After birth: Minimum 9 weeks mandatory post-natal leave. Total leave: 15 weeks (single birth) or 17 weeks (multiple birth). Benefits: 82% of capped salary for first 30 days; 75% of capped salary thereafter, paid by INAMI/RIZIV mutuality.
Job protection: Absolute protection against dismissal from the moment of notifying pregnancy until 1 month after the end of maternity leave. Dismissal during this period is deemed wrongful and triggers 6 months' gross salary compensation.
Parental leave (Ouderschapsverlof / Congé parental)
Max duration: 4 months full-time equivalent per parent (or 8 months at 50%, or 20 months at 20% reduction). Each parent has individual, non-transferable entitlement. Must be taken before the child's 12th birthday (or 21st birthday for children with a disability).
Split rules / Elterngeld: Parental leave is individual — neither parent can give their entitlement to the other. Can be combined: both parents can be on parental leave simultaneously. Full-time parental leave benefit (RVA/ONEM): approximately €870/month (2026 flat rate). Part-time options available: 50% reduction paid proportionally.
Benefits
Child benefit — Groeipakket (Flanders)
Flanders (Groeipakket): €184.62/month per child (after September 2025 indexation). Brussels: €177.55–€215.59/month. Wallonia: similar base amounts with supplements. Additional supplements for low-income families, single parents, and disabled children.
Duration: From birth until age 25 (if in education); until 18 otherwise.
Eligibility: All children with legal domicile in Flanders, regardless of parents' nationality or work status.
How to apply: Register with a Groeipakket payment agency (uitbetalingsinstelling): Infino, Parentia, Famiris, or any other approved agency. Register within 6 months of the child's birth or arrival. The birth bonus (geboortepremie) is a one-off payment.
Higher amounts for subsequent children, children of unemployed parents, disabled children, and orphans. Annual school bonus (schoolbonus) also available.
Child benefit — Famiwal (Wallonia)
Base rate: ~€166/month per child; social supplements based on household income
Duration: Birth until age 25 (education); 18 otherwise.
Eligibility: All children with domicile in Wallonia.
How to apply: Register with Famiwal (famiwal.be). Families automatically contacted after birth registration.
Wallonia also offers a birth premium. Supplements for disadvantaged families are significant.
Child benefit — Iriscare (Brussels)
Base rate varies; similar to other regions with supplements for vulnerable families
Duration: Birth until age 25 (education); 18 otherwise.
Eligibility: All children domiciled in Brussels-Capital Region.
How to apply: Register with a Brussels payment agency (Iriscare partners: Parentia, Famiris, etc.).
Brussels also provides school bonuses and birth premiums.
Birth bonus (Geboortepremie / Prime de naissance)
Flanders: €1,356.40 for first child; €355.34 for subsequent children (2026). Wallonia and Brussels: similar one-off payment.
Duration: One-time payment.
Eligibility: All Belgian residents on birth of a child.
How to apply: Automatically processed upon registering for child benefit with the payment agency.
Paid within 2–4 weeks of application. Multiple births receive higher amounts.
Paternity and co-parent leave
82% of capped daily salary, paid by INAMI/RIZIV mutuality
Duration: 20 days (since 2023) for employees; must be taken within 4 months of birth.
Eligibility: All employed fathers and co-parents (regardless of gender or relationship type).
How to apply: Notify employer at least 7 days before taking leave. Mutuality processes the benefit automatically.
Leave can be split into days and taken non-consecutively within the 4-month window. Self-employed co-parents have separate rules with lower flat-rate benefit.
Adoption leave
Equivalent to maternity leave rates
Duration: Up to 6 weeks for adopting a child under 3; up to 12 weeks for a child 3–8 years; shorter for older children.
Eligibility: Employed persons and self-employed persons who adopt a child.
How to apply: Notify INAMI/RIZIV mutuality with adoption papers. Adoption leave is a recognised leave type under Belgian law.
Both adopting parents are entitled to adoption leave.
Nursing break allowance
Partly compensated by INAMI/RIZIV
Duration: Up to 7 months after the end of maternity leave; 2–4 breastfeeding breaks per day of up to 30 minutes each.
Eligibility: Employed mothers who are breastfeeding.
How to apply: Request via employer and INAMI/RIZIV mutuality with a doctor's confirmation.
Employer cannot refuse nursing breaks. Time is partially compensated.
Sick child leave
Employed parents can take short-term "extraordinary leave for compelling family reasons" (dwingende reden verlof / congé pour raisons impérieuses) for up to 10 days per year, unpaid, when a child is acutely ill. Some collective labour agreements provide paid sick child leave. Additionally, parents of a seriously ill child can take "care leave" (zorgkrediet / crédit-soin) for long-term care of up to 51 months.
Birth registration
All births in Belgium must be registered at the civil registry office (burgerlijke stand / état civil) of the municipality where the birth took place. Registration must happen within 15 days of birth. The registrar at the hospital usually assists. For children born abroad to Belgian parents, registration must be done at the Belgian consulate in the country of birth. Belgium's birth registration creates the NISS/INSZ number for the child automatically.
Childcare rights
All children legally residing in Belgium have the right to access public education and childcare regardless of their parents' residence status. Children of undocumented migrants also have access to emergency medical care and schooling. The Flemish, Walloon, and Brussels governments all guarantee places in subsidised childcare — though waiting lists mean this right is not always immediately practical.
Family Rights
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