Until recently, in Belgium, resigning or terminating a contract by mutual agreement resulted in the loss of eligibility for unemployment benefits (for a period of 4 to 52 weeks).
Since March 1, 2026, workers can, once in their career, receive unemployment benefits even if they resign, for a limited period. This program is called the “right to a fresh start.”
Objectives:
- Flexibility in career choices
- Taking a break or changing careers without immediate loss of income
- Encouraging continuing education and retraining for in-demand occupations
Eligibility requirements:
- Termination of employment after February 28, 2026
- Proof of at least 3,120 days of work or equivalent days (equivalent to approximately 10 years of professional activity) at the time of leaving employment
- Entitlement limited to once in a career
- Application to convert exclusion to a career restart must be filed with the unemployment office within 30 days
Duration of benefits: Maximum 6 months, extendable by an additional 6 months if the worker begins, within 3 months of resignation, training for a profession in short supply and successfully completes the training.
More information: https://lnkd.in/eGVs6aRR
