Belgium’s three major trade-union federations have confirmed a coordinated 72-hour strike that will successively hit the rail network (24 Nov), the broader public-sector workforce (25 Nov) and the entire economy (26 Nov). The climax on the final day will shut down departures at Brussels Airport, but significant disruption is also expected on earlier days as rail workers begin walk-outs at 22:00 on 23 November.
National rail operator SNCB/NMBS will operate a skeleton timetable, prioritising Eurostar and Thalys services under international-obligations rules, but most domestic trains will be cancelled. Business travellers relying on Zug-zu-Zug (train-to-train) connections from Germany, France or the Netherlands are advised to terminate their journeys at border stations such as Aachen or Lille and continue by car.
![Three-day national strike to cripple Belgian rail, public transport and airports from 24–26 November]()
On 25 November, government offices—including municipal foreigners’ desks that issue residence cards—will offer only emergency services. Expats with biometrics or registration appointments should expect automatic rescheduling. Local-authority associations have warned HR departments that foreigners awaiting ID cards may face compliance gaps if assignments start before reissued appointments.
Union leaders say the strike is a response to budget proposals that would tighten pension indexing and extend flexible-work rules. Employers’ federation VBO-FEB estimates the three-day action will cost the economy €100 million per day, citing stoppages in ports, logistics parks and the chemical industry.
Mobility planners should inform travellers that demonstrations are planned around Brussels-Midi, Place Horta and the EU quarter; roadblocks on the E19 and E40 motorways are possible. Companies with posted-worker obligations should document attempts to meet minimum rest and accommodation standards for stranded employees, as Belgian labour inspectors can levy fines of up to €2,000 per infringement.
National rail operator SNCB/NMBS will operate a skeleton timetable, prioritising Eurostar and Thalys services under international-obligations rules, but most domestic trains will be cancelled. Business travellers relying on Zug-zu-Zug (train-to-train) connections from Germany, France or the Netherlands are advised to terminate their journeys at border stations such as Aachen or Lille and continue by car.
On 25 November, government offices—including municipal foreigners’ desks that issue residence cards—will offer only emergency services. Expats with biometrics or registration appointments should expect automatic rescheduling. Local-authority associations have warned HR departments that foreigners awaiting ID cards may face compliance gaps if assignments start before reissued appointments.
Union leaders say the strike is a response to budget proposals that would tighten pension indexing and extend flexible-work rules. Employers’ federation VBO-FEB estimates the three-day action will cost the economy €100 million per day, citing stoppages in ports, logistics parks and the chemical industry.
Mobility planners should inform travellers that demonstrations are planned around Brussels-Midi, Place Horta and the EU quarter; roadblocks on the E19 and E40 motorways are possible. Companies with posted-worker obligations should document attempts to meet minimum rest and accommodation standards for stranded employees, as Belgian labour inspectors can levy fines of up to €2,000 per infringement.
