Checked on 23 October 2026
Everyday life in Belgium: languages, public holidays, emergency numbers and customs
Belgium has three official languages and each region has its own: Dutch in Flanders, French in Wallonia (German in the eastern cantons), and Brussels is bilingual French-Dutch. The Constitution divides the country into four language regions (French-speaking, Dutch-speaking, bilingual Brussels-Capital and German-speaking) and each municipality belongs to one of them. Speaking the language of the region, even a little, is appreciated. Belgium has 10 statutory public holidays, including the national day on 21 July; in an emergency, dial 112, or 101 for the police.
Daily life
- Languages: in Flanders, administrative procedures are carried out in Dutch; in Wallonia, in French; in Brussels, in both languages. In Flanders, making the effort to use a few words of Dutch is generally well received (common usage, not a rule).
- Politeness: people greet when entering a shop; the kiss on the cheek (often just one) is common between close acquaintances on the French-speaking side; people start with the formal form of address in professional settings (customs that vary by region and by person).
- Meals: lunch around noon, often lighter than in France; dinner fairly early, especially in Flanders (common usage).
- Tipping: service is in principle included; leaving a small amount for good service is a gesture, not an obligation (common usage).
- Shop opening hours: the federal law (consolidated text up to date at 3 August 2026) prohibits receiving customers before 5:00 and after 21:00, with exceptions (petrol stations and motorway shops, stations and airports, press bookshops, recognised seaside resorts and tourist centres, night shops authorised by the municipality). Since 13 August 2026 (law of 20 July 2026), the obligation of a weekly rest day for shops has been abolished: a shop can open 7 days a week, Sundays included. In practice, many shops stay closed that day, outside tourist centres (common usage). The municipality can grant up to 15 days of derogation a year (markets, fairs) and regulate night shops.
- Administration: the municipality is your central contact; many procedures require an appointment (see BE-ADMINISTRATIONS-TOUS-001).
Public holidays
- The 10 statutory public holidays: 1 January, Easter Monday, 1 May, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, 21 July (national day), 15 August, 1 November, 11 November (Armistice), 25 December.
- If one falls on a Sunday (or a usual day of inactivity), you are entitled to a replacement day, set by the sector, the company or an agreement; failing that, it is the next working day.
- Community and Region festivals (11 July for the Flemish Community, set by the decree of 7 November 1990; 27 September for the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles; 15 November for the German-speaking Community, among others): these are not statutory public holidays. In the private sector, you have the day off only if your sector or your company has provided for it ("extra-legal" public holiday, SPF Emploi); it is mostly the administrations of the Community concerned that close.
Emergency numbers
- 112: European emergency number (ambulance, fire brigade).
- 101: police.
- 1733: on-call doctor for a non-urgent medical problem. This number is being introduced gradually: in some regions, on-call posts keep their own number, and the answering machine tells you if 1733 is not yet active where you are. If your life is in danger, dial 112 (SPF Santé publique).
- 070 245 245: Poison Centre.
Common pitfalls
- Choosing your municipality without looking at the language: the school, the municipality and the mail will be in the language of the region.
- Counting on a regional public holiday: Community festivals are not statutory public holidays for all employees.
- Brussels schools: the calendars of French-speaking and Dutch-speaking schools differ (see BE-ECOLE-TOUS-001).
Official sources (6) ›
- SPF Emploi, Travail et Concertation sociale, "Jours fériés"
- Belgium.be, "Urgences" (112, 101, 1733, Poison Centre)
- SPF Santé publique, "Besoin d'un médecin de garde ? Composez le 1733" (number being introduced gradually, not yet active everywhere)
- Justel, Constitution coordinated on 17 February 1994 (article 2: three Communities; article 4: four language regions)
- Justel, law of 10 November 2006 on opening hours (title replaced by the law of 20 July 2026, in force on 13 August 2026; consolidated text up to date at 3 August 2026; articles 6, 15 to 18; articles 8 to 14 on weekly rest repealed by the law of 20 July 2026, in force on 13 August 2026)
- Justel, Flemish decree of 7 November 1990 establishing the coat of arms, flag, anthem and festival day of the Flemish Community (article 6: 11 July)