Belgium’s three main union confederations—FGTB/ABVV, CSC/ACV and liberal CGSLB/ACLVB—have called a series of interprofessional strike days on 5, 10 and 12 February 2026 to protest the federal government’s ‘Arizona’ socio-economic reforms. The online platform StrikeTracker updated its alert on 1 February, classifying the actions as ‘major, multi-sector’ and noting that notices cover public transport, education, public administration and parts of the private sector.
Key union demands include withdrawing planned pension-age hikes to 67, scrapping an ‘index-jump’ that tempers wage inflation and abandoning €10 billion in austerity cuts. Rail unions attempted to synchronise 24-hour stoppages but HR Rail—Belgium’s rail HR authority—has so far refused the strike notice, prompting legal appeals to the Council of State. Unless overturned, heavy rail services may run, but bus and tram operator De Lijn has already warned of “very severe” disruption in East Flanders on 5 February, while ACOD has filed notices covering teaching staff across multiple provinces.
For global mobility managers, the rolling dates complicate travel and relocation scheduling. Staff moves into or out of Belgium during the affected windows may face delays in obtaining municipal registrations, residence cards or bank accounts if local offices close. Companies are advised to front-load critical in-person appointments and brief travellers on remote-working contingencies.
![Nation-wide interprofessional strikes confirmed for 5, 10 and 12 February — unions warn of transport and school shutdowns]()
Amid such uncertainty, VisaHQ’s Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) can streamline visa and residence paperwork for assignees and business travellers, arranging online submissions and courier follow-up even when municipal counters are short-staffed. Their advisers can also suggest alternative consulate filing routes if local offices close, reducing the risk of costly project delays.
Industrial-relations experts say the strikes will test the new centre-right coalition’s resolve just eight months after taking office. Previous multi-sector actions in 2025 cost the economy an estimated €150 million per day in lost productivity. Should the February protests gain momentum, further days of action in March are likely, adding volatility to Belgium’s mobility and logistics landscape.
StrikeTracker recommends that employers monitor regional union channels for rolling updates, as participation levels can vary sharply between provinces and sectors.
Key union demands include withdrawing planned pension-age hikes to 67, scrapping an ‘index-jump’ that tempers wage inflation and abandoning €10 billion in austerity cuts. Rail unions attempted to synchronise 24-hour stoppages but HR Rail—Belgium’s rail HR authority—has so far refused the strike notice, prompting legal appeals to the Council of State. Unless overturned, heavy rail services may run, but bus and tram operator De Lijn has already warned of “very severe” disruption in East Flanders on 5 February, while ACOD has filed notices covering teaching staff across multiple provinces.
For global mobility managers, the rolling dates complicate travel and relocation scheduling. Staff moves into or out of Belgium during the affected windows may face delays in obtaining municipal registrations, residence cards or bank accounts if local offices close. Companies are advised to front-load critical in-person appointments and brief travellers on remote-working contingencies.
Amid such uncertainty, VisaHQ’s Belgium portal (https://www.visahq.com/belgium/) can streamline visa and residence paperwork for assignees and business travellers, arranging online submissions and courier follow-up even when municipal counters are short-staffed. Their advisers can also suggest alternative consulate filing routes if local offices close, reducing the risk of costly project delays.
Industrial-relations experts say the strikes will test the new centre-right coalition’s resolve just eight months after taking office. Previous multi-sector actions in 2025 cost the economy an estimated €150 million per day in lost productivity. Should the February protests gain momentum, further days of action in March are likely, adding volatility to Belgium’s mobility and logistics landscape.
StrikeTracker recommends that employers monitor regional union channels for rolling updates, as participation levels can vary sharply between provinces and sectors.
