- Price
- €15.95incl. VAT, 2 pages included
- Delivery time
- 1 to 2 business daysusually, after handover to the post
- Proof
- Delivery confirmation+ tracking and proof of posting
- Handed to the post
- Next working dayposted after your upload
- Counts as
- Domestic registered mailprinted and posted in Belgium
How does a Belgian employer give valid notice?
An employer who dismisses with notice must do so by registered letter or by a bailiff's writ, on pain of nullity. Handing the letter to the employee, even against a signature, is not a valid way for the employer.
If the start date or the length of the notice is missing, or the form is wrong, the notice is void. The contract then ends at once and you owe payment in lieu of notice.
| Method | Takes effect | Period starts |
|---|---|---|
| Registered letter | Third working day after sending, even if the employee does not collect it | The Monday after the week it takes effect |
| Bailiff | On the day of service | The following Monday |
| Handing over the letter | Not valid for the employer | Payment in lieu of notice is owed |
How long is the notice, and when is it suspended?
The length depends on the employee's seniority, following the tables of the Federal Public Service Employment. For contracts that started on or after 1 June 2026, it is capped at 52 weeks.
Notice given by the employer is suspended during illness, annual holiday and parental leave, among others. During the notice period the employee is entitled to time off to look for a job.
Check this before you send
- The letter states the start date and the length of the notice period.
- It is signed by someone who may represent the employer.
- You use the address where the employee lives.
- You have counted the three working days in your planning.
When does the notice period start?
| What happens | Date |
|---|---|
| We hand the letter to bpost | Tuesday 8 December 2026 |
| The notice takes effect (third working day) | Friday 11 December 2026 |
| The notice period starts | Monday 14 December 2026 |
Saturday counts as a working day; Sunday and public holidays do not. The period starts on the Monday after the week in which the notice takes effect.
How to send the notice by registered mail
- Write the letter with the sample and fill in the start date and length.
- Have it signed by someone who may represent the company, and save it as a PDF.
- Upload the PDF and choose Belgium. We print it in Belgium and hand it to bpost.
- File the proof of posting in the personnel record.
Sample notice of dismissal
In English for reference. Use the language your company must use for employment documents: the same letter is on the [Dutch page](/nl/belgie/ontslag-werkgever-aangetekende-brief) and the [French page](/fr/belgique/licenciement-lettre-recommandee).
[Company name]
[Address]
[Employee's name]
[Employee's address]
[Place], [date]
Subject: termination of the employment contract with notice
Dear [name],
We hereby end your employment contract with notice.
The notice period is [number] weeks. It starts on Monday [date].
Yours sincerely,
[Signature]
[Name and position]
What to check before you send
- Is the employee resigning instead? They have three valid ways: see resigning in Belgium.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Belgian employer dismiss by email?
No. An employer who dismisses with notice must use a registered letter or a bailiff's writ, on pain of nullity.
Can the employer hand over the dismissal letter?
Not as notice: handover is only valid for the employee. The employer uses a registered letter or a bailiff.
When does the notice period start?
The registered letter takes effect on the third working day after sending. The period starts on the Monday after the week in which that happens.
What if the employee does not collect the letter?
The notice still takes effect on the third working day after sending. Keep the proof of posting.
What if the form is wrong?
Then the notice is void. The contract ends at once and the employer pays payment in lieu of notice.
Does registered mail prove the contents?
No. It proves posting and delivery. Your proof PDF also holds a fingerprint of your document, so you can show which document you sent.