On the proposal of the Minister for the Civil Service, Jacqueline Galant, the Government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation approved, at first reading, the reform of the sick leave scheme for statutory civil servants. This reform aims to modernise an outdated system, ensure greater coherence within the public services and guarantee the long-term financial sustainability of the scheme. Specifically, the reform provides that the number of unused sick leave days may no longer exceed 210 working days over the entire career of the civil servant, unlike the current unlimited system. “Personally, I find it hard to understand how it is possible to accumulate unused sick leave days. Either you are sick and the system protects you, which is only normal, or you are not. This reform nonetheless maintains a generous system for statutory civil servants but finally sets clear limits. It was time to put an end to practices from another era, which stand out as an exception in our society,” explains Jacqueline Galant.
The current system: unlimited accumulation paid at 100%
Today, statutory staff of the Community public service can accumulate unused sick leave days without limit throughout their career. As long as this "pot" is available, the employee is paid at 100%. Once it is exhausted, they are placed on non-active status and receive a waiting allowance equal to 60% of their last active salary. This scheme differs from that of teachers, who are already subject to a sick leave pot capped at 182 days over an entire career.
This situation creates a structural inconsistency between two major branches of the civil service and also generates a growing budgetary risk, due to an unlimited accumulation whose effects are not under control.
The new system: a cap of 210 accumulated days over the entire career
The Government is today adopting a modern and balanced management principle. It sets a cap on the accumulation of the sick leave pot at 210 days over an entire career. In practice, the accumulation of unused days therefore remains possible, but with a limit equivalent to a maximum of 10 years (21 days/year). Civil servants whose pot already exceeds this cap when the provision comes into force will keep their rights, but will no longer be able to increase their accumulation in the future.
The reform, which will bring the scheme into line with that of teachers, will come into force on 1st July 2026.
“This reform is a further step towards a more modern, efficient and responsible civil service. Setting a limit on the sick leave pot is not about punishing civil servants: it is about guaranteeing a sustainable system aligned with budgetary realities. I stand by a liberal reform: protecting workers, yes, but within a clear, balanced framework that respects public money,” concludes Jacqueline Galant, Minister for the Civil Service.