🧾 Am I entitled to unemployment benefits?

With conditions

Quick answer

Maybe — but only if you are involuntarily unemployed, have worked enough and register as a jobseeker. And since 2026 the benefit is limited in time. Someone who resigns without valid reason usually gets no benefit or a deferred one (a temporary exclusion of up to 52 weeks). Being dismissed counts as involuntary. You must also meet an eligibility condition (simplified since 1 March 2026): 312 days (about a year) worked in the last 36 months, regardless of age. From 55 with a sufficient career, the right stays unlimited. You register with VDAB, Actiris, Le Forem or the ADG. The amount is degressive: the first months about 65% of your last (capped) salary, then declining to a flat rate by family category. The big reform: since 1 March 2026 the benefit is capped at a maximum of 24 months (12 months base + up to 12 months by career history); after that it stops and you can, if needed, fall back on the welfare centre's living wage.

📋 The rules

Entitlement only for involuntary unemployment: resigning without valid reason = a temporary exclusion (up to 52 weeks)
Eligibility (since 1 March 2026): 312 days worked in 36 months, regardless of age (55+ with a sufficient career: unlimited right)
Register as a jobseeker with VDAB, Actiris, Le Forem or the ADG
Amount is degressive: the first months ± 65% of the capped salary, then declining to a flat rate by family category
Time-limited since 1 March 2026: maximum 24 months (12 base + up to 12 by career), after which the benefit stops
When it ends, you can if needed fall back on the welfare centre's living wage

🔓 Exceptions

The insertion benefit (for young people after their studies) is capped at 1 year and only for a first application under 25 (stricter since 1 March 2026)
Those who already received a benefit before 1 March 2026 are assigned an end-date in successive 'waves' — the unemployment office notifies you personally

⚠️ Penalties & fines

Someone who resigns without valid reason, refuses suitable work or does not job-search enough risks an exclusion or loss of the benefit. Wrongly received benefits (e.g. with undeclared work) must be repaid. When your maximum period ends, there is no fine, but your benefit simply stops — enquire in time about the living wage at the welfare centre.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-06-20

❓ Frequently asked

Am I entitled to a benefit if I resign?

Usually not straight away. Someone who resigns without valid reason risks a temporary exclusion of up to 52 weeks. Being dismissed counts as involuntary unemployment and in principle opens the right.

How many days must I have worked?

Since 1 March 2026 you must have worked 312 days (about a year) in the last 36 months, regardless of age. Each further period of 4 months worked gives entitlement to 1 extra month of benefit.

Is it true the benefit is now limited in time?

Yes. Since 1 March 2026 the unemployment benefit is capped at a maximum of 24 months (12 months base plus up to 12 months by your career history). After that it stops and you can fall back on the living wage.

I already receive a benefit — does anything change?

Those who already received a benefit before 1 March 2026 are assigned an end-date in phases. The unemployment office notifies you personally; the exact date depends on your compensation period and career.

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