Trial period
Abolished for ordinary contracts since 2014 (replaced by short notice periods early on); only student and agency work keep the first three working days as a trial.
Does the trial period still exist?
The classic trial-period clause in ordinary employment contracts was abolished with Belgium's 2014 unified statute. It was replaced by notice periods that are very short in the first months of employment and build up gradually — the 'testing' now sits inside the notice regime itself, no longer in a separate clause.
Trial period
Two important exceptions remain: in a student contract and in agency work, the first three actually worked days automatically count as a trial period, during which either party can end the contract without notice or compensation. If an ordinary contract still mentions a 'trial period', that clause has no force — the legal notice periods apply. Details per contract type are published by the FOD Employment.
Can my employer still put a trial period in my contract?
Not in an ordinary contract — such a clause has been void since 2014. Only student and agency contracts legally keep the first three working days as a trial.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly can a contract be ended early on?
Through the ordinary notice regime: periods are short in the first months and grow with seniority. The current table is published by the FOD Employment.
Official sources
- End of employment contract (notice, dismissal) — FOD Employment
- Temporary agency work — FOD Employment
- Student work — FOD Employment
Related concepts
Updated