Can I quit my job overnight?
No, leaving overnight is not possible — as an employee you must respect a notice period. Your notice is about half of your employer's and is capped at 13 weeks. Some reference points: less than 3 months' seniority = 1 week; 3 to 6 months = 2 weeks; 6 to 12 months = 3 weeks; and from 8 years of service it stays at the maximum of 13 weeks. Your notice always starts the Monday after notification and must be given in writing: by registered letter (deemed received on the 3rd working day, so post it by Wednesday at the latest) or by bailiff. If you leave without (enough) notice, you owe a compensatory indemnity equal to the remaining salary. Only mutual agreement or an urgent cause (a serious fault by your employer) lets you leave immediately. New: for contracts starting from 1 June 2026 a new grid applies (employer notice capped at 52 weeks; the employee stays at 13 weeks).
📋 The rules
- As an employee you must respect a notice period — no leaving overnight
- Your notice is about half of the employer's, capped at 13 weeks
- Reference points: < 3 months = 1 week; 3–6 months = 2 weeks; 6–12 months = 3 weeks; from 8 years = 13 weeks
- The notice starts the Monday after notification and is given in writing (registered letter or bailiff)
- Leaving without (enough) notice: a compensatory indemnity equal to the remaining salary (art. 39)
- Immediate exit only with mutual agreement or for an urgent cause
🔓 Exceptions
- Found a new job during the notice your employer gave? A reduced counter-notice applies (max 4 weeks)
- For contracts starting from 1 June 2026 a new notice grid applies; the employee cap stays 13 weeks
- Leaving immediately is only possible by mutual agreement or for an urgent cause (a serious fault by your employer) — then there is no notice and no indemnity
⚠️ Penalties & fines
If you stop without serving your notice, you break the contract and owe your employer a compensatory indemnity equal to the salary for the unserved part of the notice (art. 39). In practice employers often waive it, but they are legally entitled to it. What people forget: a formal defect costs money too — notice given verbally is not valid, so your period does not even start running. Leaving via a counter-notice also counts as resignation by the employee, which can delay your right to unemployment benefit.
📎 Official sources
- werk.belgie.be · end of the employment contract →
- ACV/CSC · notice period →
- Securex · notice period (Monday rule, max 13 weeks) →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I resign overnight?
No, except by mutual agreement or for an urgent cause. Otherwise you must serve your notice period; if you don't, you owe a compensatory indemnity equal to the salary for the unserved part.
How long is my notice period?
About half of your employer's, with a maximum of 13 weeks. Less than 3 months' service = 1 week; 3 to 6 months = 2 weeks; 6 to 12 months = 3 weeks; and from 8 years of service it stays at 13 weeks.
How do I give valid notice?
In writing: by registered letter (deemed received on the 3rd working day, so post it by Wednesday at the latest) or by bailiff. The period only starts the Monday after notification, not on the day itself.
What is a counter-notice?
If you find a new job while serving the notice your employer gave you, you can leave on a reduced counter-notice of at most 4 weeks. Careful: that counts as resignation, with consequences for your unemployment benefit.
What if I just stop showing up?
You break the contract and owe your employer an indemnity equal to the salary for the unserved part of your notice. Rarely a good move, even though not every employer actually claims it.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “resigning notice period belgium”
- “employee notice period 13 weeks”
- “notice registered letter monday”
- “compensatory indemnity employee”
- “leaving without notice consequences”
- “counter-notice new job”