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Belgium: Change to Employer Unemployment Supplement

By - - Employment Law, Social Security

On 15 September 2025, Belgium finally abolished the general regime of “unemployment benefits with company supplement”.

Under this regime (properly called “Stelsel van werkloosheid met bedrijfstoeslag” or SWT) unemployed workers could receive additional unemployment benefits, including supplements, from their former employer.

The principal retained parts of SWT, relate to medically related SWT. 

This is a significant shift in workforce exit strategies and employer obligations.

What’s Changed?

Following an agreement in January, the Belgian government committed to the immediate abolition of the general SWT regime, retaining only the medical SWT exception.

In response, a transitional arrangement was negotiated, allowing existing collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) on SWT to run their course until 30 June 2025.

With no legislative action initially taken, the National Labour Council (NLC) stepped in, adopting CBA no. 173 to formally extend medical SWT until 31 December 2025, ensuring continuity for affected employees and employers during the transition.

The final rule change reflects advice from the National Labour Council (NLC), including:

  • Adjustments to transitional measures for long notice periods
  • Extended deadlines for recognising companies in difficulty or restructuring
What Remains?

Access to SWT is now strictly limited to specific conditions and categories:

  • General SWT (CBA no. 17): For employees dismissed before 1 April 2025, aged 62+ by 30 June 2025, with 40 years’ experience.
  • Heavy Jobs (CBA no. 143): Dismissed before 1 July 2025, aged 60+, with 35 years’ experience.
  • Night Work & Construction (CBA no. 166): Same as above, but with 33 years’ experience.
  • Long Careers (CBA no. 167): Same as above, with 40 years’ experience.
  • Companies in Difficulty/Restructuring: Recognition must begin before 1 May 2025[JC1] ; employees must be 60+, with 20 years’ experience or 10 years in the sector.
  • Medical SWT (CBA no. 173): For disabled or seriously ill employees aged 58+ between 1 July and 31 December 2025, with 35 years’ experience.
What’s Next?

The NLC plans further reforms:

  • Extend medical SWT to 30 June 2029
  • Abolish CBA no. 143 (heavy jobs)
  • Amend CBA no. 17 to restrict supplementary allowances to eligible SWT cases

The Federation of Belgian Enterprises (VBO-FEB) has confirmed these developments.

Employer Impact

This reform significantly narrows the scope of SWT, requiring employers to:

  • Reassess exit strategies for older workers
  • Review eligibility for transitional SWT arrangements
  • Prepare for stricter compliance with medical SWT criteria

Employers should act now to ensure workforce planning aligns with the new legal framework and avoid missteps in dismissals or restructuring.

This is a high-level general update only. Legal advice should be obtained on specific circumstances.
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