Unemployment and integration benefits

Belgian unemployment legislation defines the conditions, duration and amount of benefits. You can get a benefit if you were employed and have lost your job (unemployment benefit). You can also receive benefits if you have completed your studies and have not yet found a job (integration benefits).

Employment regulations explain, for example:

  • when you are entitled to benefits,
  • how long you are entitled to these benefits, and 
  • how the amount of your benefits is calculated.

The regulations that apply to you depend on your situation:

  • your employment history,
  • whether you have previously received benefits, and 
  • your personal circumstances.

You can find official and accurate information on the website of the National Employment Office (NEO).

The NEO implements the regulations on unemployment. It also explains these regulations in info sheets on its website. In these info sheets, you can read:

  • which regulations apply,
  • which exceptions exist, and
  • how to use the regulations.

You can find all info sheets on the NEO website (in French).

The NEO updates its info sheets when the legislation changes. So, they are the only reliable and up-to-date source of information.

You can find information on unemployment and integration benefits in the following NEO info sheets:

You have worked in a country other than Belgium

Read here if your work abroad counts for Belgian unemployment benefit:

T30: Are you entitled to unemployment benefit after working abroad (in French)?

You are receiving Belgian unemployment benefit and wish to work in another EU country.

Read here if you continue to receive your Belgian benefits whilst looking for work in another European country:

T122: Will you keep your benefits if you look for work abroad (in French)?

You have completed your studies but do not yet have a job

Find out here if you are entitled to integration benefit, how long you can get them and when they stop:

T199: Integration benefit (in French)

You have worked (in Belgium)

Read here what conditions apply if you want to receive unemployment benefit after working:

T200: Unemployment benefit: entitlement following employment (in French)

Amount of your unemployment benefit

This info sheet explains how the NEO calculates your unemployment benefit:

T201: Unemployment benefit: amount of the benefits (in French)

How long will you receive the benefit

This info sheet explains how long you can receive the benefit and which rules apply:

T202: Unemployment benefit: time limit (in French)

Did you work in another EU country as an employed person and pay social contributions there? Then, this period can count for your unemployment benefit in Belgium.

European social security regulations say that work in another EU country can be taken into account. But you must meet the Belgian unemployment regulations. The exact conditions depend on your personal situation.

Please note: Did you work as a self-employed person? Then, you cannot receive unemployment benefit in Belgium for this period. In Belgium, unemployment benefit is only available to employed persons.

Visit the NEO website to assess your situation correctly

The regulations that apply to you depend on your situation. To find out what this means for you, you can: 

  • read the NEO information sheets that apply to your situation, or
  • contact an organisation that can give you advice. These include:

National Employment Office (NEO)

Do you have questions about working in Belgium, unemployment or unemployment benefits? Contact the NEO:

Payment agencies

Auxiliary Benefits Fund (HfA)

General Federation of Belgian Trade Unions

  • Address (central administration): Rue Haute 42 - 1000 Brussels
  • Telephone: +32 (0)2 506 82 11
  • Website : fgtb.be (in French)

Synova (Free Trade Union)

  • Adress (central administration) : Boulevard Baudouin 9, 1000 Brussels
  • Telephone : +32 (0)2 882 13 00 
  • Website: synova.be (in French) 

General Christian Trade Union Confederation (ACV-CSC)

  • Address (central administration): Chaussée de Haecht, 579 - 1030 Schaerbeek
  • Telephone: +32 (0)2 246 31 11
  • Website: lacsc.be (in French)