School Holidays in Belgium 2025-2026: Complete Calendar and Planning Guide

If you have children in school, you’ll need to note down those school holiday dates as soon as possible so that you can plan activities and childcare arrangements ahead. In Belgium, school holidays typically cross over with public holidays (e.g., Christmas and Easter). There are also seasonal breaks, including several weeks off in the summer.

Planning ahead also means preparing financially for these holiday periods. Whether you’re organising a family trip abroad, arranging childcare, or enrolling your children in vacation camps, managing your finances efficiently is crucial. For expat families who frequently travel between countries or maintain ties to their home country, services like These services can help manage multiple currencies and international payments.

Continue reading to learn more about:

• An overview of school holidays in Belgium

• When are Belgium’s school holidays in 2025–2026?Other important dates in 2025–2026

• Other important dates in 2025–2026

• When are Belgium’s school holidays in 2026–2027?Other important dates in 2026–2027

• Other important dates in 2026–2027

• When are the public holidays in Belgium?

• Tips for expat parents in BelgiumFinancial planning for school holidaysChildcare during Belgian school holidays10 fun vacation camps in Belgium

• Financial planning for school holidays

• Childcare during Belgian school holidays

• 10 fun vacation camps in Belgium

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An overview of school holidays in Belgium

Belgium is split into three different language-speaking communities:

• Dutch-speaking Flanders

• French-speaking Wallonia

• German-speaking eastern Wallonia

The Dutch-speaking and German-speaking communities share the same school holidays; however, the French-speaking community has different dates.

Belgian schools typically have five holidays throughout the year, including during Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. There are also a few individual days off, such as Whit Monday and Armistice Day.

International schools in Belgium generally follow the same school holiday dates as other schools, although summer holidays in some international schools start and end one to two weeks earlier than the general holiday dates.

International schools in Belgium

When are Belgium’s school holidays in 2025–2026?

All dates are subject to change.

Holiday

Flanders dates

Wallonia dates

Eastern Wallonia dates

First day of school

1 September 2025

25 August 2025

1 September 2025

Autumn holidays

27 October, 2 November 2025

20 October – 2 November 2025

27 October, 2 November 2025

Christmas holidays

22 December 2025, 4 January 2026

22 December 2025, 4 January 2026

22 December 2025, 4 January 2026

Dutch: KrokusvakantieFrench: Relaxation leave

16-22 February 2026

16 February, 1 March 2026

16-22 February 2026

Easter holidays

6-19 April 2026

27 April, 10 May 2026

6-19 April 2026

Summer holidays

1 July, 31 August 2026

4 July – 23 August 2026

1 July, 31 August 2026

Other important dates in 2025–2026

The additional holiday dates for the 2025–2026 school year are:

Holiday

Flanders dates

Wallonia dates

German-speaking Belgium dates

Day of the French-speaking community

n/a

27 September 2025

n/a

Armistice Day

11 November 2025

11 November 2025

11 November 2025

German-speaking Community Day

n/a

n/a

15 November 2025

Easter Monday

6 April 2026

6 April 2026

26 April 2026

Labor Day

1 May 2026

1 May 2026

1 May 2026

Ascension Day

14–15 May 2026

14 May 2026

14 May 2026

Whit Monday

25 May 2026

25 May 2026

25 May 2026

multi-currency account

Are you an expat or thinking of moving to Belgium? Managing your money across borders shouldn’t be complicated. With a multi-currency account, you can hold over 40 currencies and pay with a multi-currency debit card in more than 150 countries. Whether you need to spend abroad, receive or send money home, These services can help make international money management simpler.

When are Belgium’s school holidays in 2026–2027?

All dates are subject to change.

Holiday

Flanders dates

Wallonia dates

German-speaking Belgium dates

First day of school

1 September 2026

25 August 2026

1 September 2026

Autumn holidays

2-8 November 2026

19 October – 1 November 2026 (Feast of the Dead holiday 2 November 2026)

2-8 November 2026

Winter holidays

21 December 2026, 3 January 2027

21 December 2026, 3 January 2027

21 December 2026, 3 January 2027

Mardi Gras

n/a

9 February 2027

n/a

Dutch: KrokusvakantieFrench: Relaxation leaveGerman: Carnival holidays

8-14 February 2027

22 February, 7 March 2027

8-14 February 2027

Easter/Spring holidays

29 March, 11 April 2027

26 April, 9 May 2027

29 March, 11 April 2027

Summer holidays

1 July, 31 August 2027

3 July – 22 August 2027

1 July, 31 August 2027

Other important dates in 2026–2027

Depending on your area, some schools may be closed for local celebrations. For example, some schools will give children the day off for being part of a language community.

The additional holiday dates for the 2026–2027 school year are:

Holiday

Flanders dates

Wallonia dates

German-speaking Belgium dates

Armistice Day

11 November 2026

11 November 2026

11 November 2026

Easter Monday

29 March 2027

29 March 2027

29 March 2027

Labor Day

1 May 2027

1 May 2027

1 May 2027

Ascension Day

6-7 May 2027

6 May 2027

6 May 2027

Whit Monday

17 May 2027

17 May 2027

27 May 2027

When are the public holidays in Belgium?

Some important public holidays and celebrations usually fall on school holidays, such as Labor Day in May and National Day in July.

You can learn more about these holidays (and dates) by reading our article on public holidays in Belgium.

Public holidays in Belgium

Tips for expat parents in Belgium

Financial planning for school holidays

School holidays often mean additional expenses for families, from travel and accommodation to childcare and activities. For expat parents who may be traveling internationally or paying for services in different currencies, managing these expenses efficiently becomes even more important.

When planning trips abroad during school breaks:

• Create a holiday budget that accounts for currency fluctuations

• Consider the most cost-effective way to spend money abroad

• Plan ahead for international payments for activities or accommodations

Using the multi-currency account can help you manage your holiday finances. With the service, you can hold and convert money in multiple currencies, as well as spend abroad with the multi-currency debit card.

Childcare during Belgian school holidays

If you are working during school holidays, you may need to make childcare arrangements. You have several options:

• Flanders, daycare for school children: You can choose between family daycare (gezinsopvang in Dutch), which is usually a maximum of eight children looked after at the home of a certified childminder, or group reception (groepsopvang in Dutch), which is a larger building with several childcare providers. Information can be found on the Kind & Gezin website.

• Wallonia, Holiday centers (Centres de Vacances): You can search for suitable activities and centers on the website for ONE. Another useful resource is La Ligue des Familles, a membership organization that offers a range of holiday activities and opportunities for children aged 3 and above.

Prices and availability for activities vary, so it’s advisable to make inquiries at the earliest opportunity and find out if any discounts are available. Ask your child’s school to see if any school-related provisions exist.

10 fun vacation camps in Belgium

Belgium has many fun and educational summer camps for children to learn and play during the school holidays, including:

• Ardennes Adventure Camp

• CERAN Language Camp at Collège Saint-Roch

• English in Bruges Camp

• French Teen Summer Camp in Spa

• InterAction Belgium Camps

• Kids&Us Summer Fun

• SKITEN Summer Camp

• St. John’s International School Summer Camps

• Summer@ISB

• Tomorrowland Academy’s Start-to-DJ Kids & Teens Camp

Conclusion

Understanding the Belgian school holiday calendar is essential for expat families to plan effectively throughout the academic year. With differences between the language communities and various holiday periods spread across the year, advance planning is key to balancing work commitments with childcare needs and family activities.

Whether you’re arranging local childcare, sending your children to vacation camps, or planning family trips abroad during these breaks, having the right financial tools in place can make the process smoother. For expat families in Belgium, These services provide a solution for managing expenses across different currencies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Belgium School Holidays

How many school holidays do Belgian children get?

Belgian students receive approximately 100 days of school holidays annually, among the highest in Europe. This includes 9 weeks summer vacation (July-August), 2 weeks Christmas (late December-early January), 2 weeks Easter (March/April), 1 week autumn break (late October/early November), 1 week carnival/winter break (February), plus public holidays. The school year runs September to June with regular teaching weeks Monday-Friday. Regional variations exist between Flemish, Francophone, and German-speaking communities.

When is summer vacation in Belgium?

Summer holidays last 9 weeks, typically starting July 1st and ending August 31st. The exact dates vary slightly by region and year. Schools resume the first week of September, usually September 1st or the following Monday. This extended summer break is when most Belgian families take vacations, leading to beach town congestion and higher accommodation prices. Many businesses operate reduced hours in July-August. Parents need to arrange 9 weeks of childcare or summer camps for working families.

Are school holidays the same in Flanders and Wallonia?

School holidays are generally synchronized across Belgium, but minor variations exist between communities. Flemish, Francophone, and German-speaking schools follow different education ministries setting slightly different calendars. Major breaks (summer, Christmas, Easter) align within a few days, but pedagogical days and exact break dates may differ by 1-3 days. International schools often follow their own calendars based on curriculum origin (British, American, IB). Check your specific school calendar as dates are confirmed annually.

What do Belgian families do during school holidays?

Popular activities include coastal vacations (Belgian coast or France/Netherlands), Ardennes nature trips, European city breaks, visiting grandparents, and organized summer camps (sports, languages, arts). Many municipalities offer affordable holiday programs (plaines de jeux) providing childcare and activities for working parents at €50-€150/week. Cultural institutions (museums, zoos) offer special holiday programs and workshops. Ski trips during February break to nearby Alps are traditional. Extended family often helps with childcare during longer breaks.

Living in Belgium with children? Find family activities and schools on ExpatsList. Read Belgium family guides.