- 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 do you resign validly in Belgium?
Registered mail (aangetekend, recommandé) is one of three ways the law allows, on pain of nullity. You can also hand the letter to your employer, who signs a copy as a receipt, or have a bailiff serve it. An email, a text message or a message in an HR portal is not valid notice.
Choose registered mail if you do not want to go in, if your employer will not sign or if you live far away. The letter takes effect even if your employer does not collect it.
| Method | Takes effect | Period starts |
|---|---|---|
| Registered letter | Third working day after sending | The Monday after the week it takes effect |
| Handover against a signature | On the day of handover | The following Monday |
| Bailiff | On the day of service | The following Monday |
How long is your notice period?
When you resign, the length depends on your seniority and is at most 13 weeks. If your contract started on or after 1 August 2026, it is one week in the first six months.
| Seniority | Notice |
|---|---|
| Less than 3 months | 1 week |
| 3 to 6 months | 2 weeks |
| 6 to 12 months | 3 weeks |
| 12 to 18 months | 4 weeks |
| 18 to 24 months | 5 weeks |
| 2 to 4 years | 6 weeks |
| 4 to 5 years | 7 weeks |
| 5 to 6 years | 9 weeks |
| 6 to 7 years | 10 weeks |
| 7 to 8 years | 12 weeks |
| 8 years or more | 13 weeks |
Check this before you send
- The letter states the start date and the length of the notice period. Without them the notice is void and you owe payment in lieu of notice.
- You have signed the letter.
- The employer's address is complete, with the postcode.
- You have counted the three working days if you are aiming for a fixed end date.
When does your 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 |
A registered letter takes effect on the third working day after sending. Saturday is a working day; Sunday and public holidays are not. Your notice period starts on the Monday after the week in which the notice takes effect.
How to send your resignation by registered mail
- Write the letter with the sample below and fill in the start date and length.
- Sign it and save it as a PDF.
- Upload the PDF and choose Belgium. We print it in Belgium and hand it to bpost.
- Keep the proof of posting: it proves the date you sent it.
Sample resignation letter
In English for reference. Most Belgian employers expect Dutch or French: the same letter is on the [Dutch page](/nl/belgie/ontslag-nemen-aangetekende-brief) and the [French page](/fr/belgique/demission-lettre-recommandee).
[Your name]
[Your address]
[Employer's name]
[Employer's address]
[Place], [date]
Subject: resignation with notice
Dear Sir or Madam,
I hereby end my employment contract of indefinite duration.
The notice period is [number] weeks. It starts on Monday [date] and ends on [date].
Yours faithfully,
[Signature]
[Your name]
What to check before you send
- If a public holiday such as 11 November or 25 December falls in those three days, everything moves by a day. Upload a day earlier if you are aiming for a fixed last day.
- Is the employer giving notice instead? Stricter rules apply: see dismissal by a Belgian employer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I resign by email in Belgium?
No. The law allows three ways: a registered letter, handing the letter to the employer who signs a copy, or a bailiff.
When does a registered resignation letter take effect?
On the third working day after sending, even if the employer does not collect it. The notice period starts the Monday after.
What if the letter leaves out the start date or the length?
Then the notice is void. The contract ends at once and payment in lieu of notice is due.
Is my notice suspended if I fall ill?
No. Notice given by the employee keeps running, also during illness or holiday. During the notice period you are entitled to time off to look for a job.
Can I just hand the letter over?
Yes, if the employer signs a copy as a receipt. If they refuse to sign, send a registered letter.
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.