Sectoral agreement 2025-2026 for the Joint Industrial Committee 226
In Belgium, social dialogue takes place at three levels: interprofessional/federal, sectoral, and company level. In recent months, the wage norm as well as various employment-related measures have been adopted at the federal and interprofessional levels, thereby serving as a basis for sectoral negotiations.
These negotiations were conducted within Joint Committee 226, resulting in a sectoral agreement protocol for the years 2025–2026 (valid from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2026). Below, we provide an overview of the most important decisions applicable to your sector for the year ahead.
1. Meal vouchers: Progressive increase in the employer’s contribution
The employer’s contribution to meal vouchers will be increased progressively in 2026:
- EUR 1 as of 1 February 2026, followed by
- an additional EUR 1 as of 1 December 2026.
As of 1 December 2026, the total increase in the employer’s contribution will amount to EUR 2 per meal voucher.
Employers who have already granted an increase in meal vouchers in 2026 prior to the entry into force of these sectoral increases may deduct such increase from the sectoral increase.
2. Year-end premium
Within the sector, it is possible to convert part of the fixed component of the year-end premium into an equivalent benefit.
As from 1 January 2026, the convertible portion will be increased to 60% of the fixed part of the year-end premium (previously 50%).
In addition, this conversion will no longer be limited to benefits related to well-being and/or (green) mobility but may cover a broader range of equivalent benefits (which could notably be implemented through a cafeteria plan).
3. Mobility
Private transport
As of 1 January 2026, the employer's contribution to private transport costs, based on the flat-rate scale, will be indexed by 5.8%.
Bicycle allowance
As from 1 January 2026, employees who regularly commute to work by bicycle will be entitled to a bicycle allowance of EUR 0.30 per kilometer travelled.
4. Time credit
The time credit scheme with motive (taken full-time or half-time) will be extended for the period from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2027.
The end-of-career jobs scheme will be extended for the period from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027.
As from 1 January 2026, the sector increases the supplementary allowance financed by the Social Fund for employees benefiting from a career reduction.
The new amounts are set as follows:
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1/5 reduction: EUR 110, as from the age of 60 in the case of a reduction under National Labour Council CBA No. 103, and as from the age of 55 in the case of a long career, heavy work or night work;
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1/2 reduction: EUR 130, as from the age of 55 in the case of a long career, heavy work, night work or in the case of time credit with motive.
5. Additional allowance – Youth and senior holidays
The employer is required to grant a supplementary allowance, in addition to the allowance paid by the ONEM, to employees making use of the youth or senior holiday scheme.
As from 1 January 2026, the amount of this supplementary allowance will be increased to:
- EUR 18 gross for a half day of holiday;
- EUR 36 gross for a full day of holiday.
The employer may recover this amount from the Social Fund.
6. Miscellaneous
Hiring bonus
Under certain conditions, companies may benefit from a lump-sum hiring bonus financed by the Social Fund for each employee hired who was previously dismissed by another company in the sector, or in the case of hiring a young worker under the age of 26.
As from 1 January 2026, the amount of these hiring bonuses will be increased to EUR 3,000.00.
Job classification
The functions of railway companies will be added to the existing job classification system.
Training subsidy credit for training not covered by LOGOS
For training courses for which LOGOS does not provide free training and which are organised by the employer with an operator of its choice, it is possible to apply for a subsidy credit per calendar year.
The amount of this credit is determined per employee and varies according to the size of the company:
- for companies employing up to 10 employees, the credit amounts to EUR 110 per employee;
- for companies employing more than 10 employees, the credit amounts to EUR 100 per employee.
As from 1 January 2026, these amounts will be increased to EUR 115 and EUR 105 per employee respectively.
