Belgian strikes
Belgium experienced widespread disruptions on March 12, 2026, due to a nationwide strike protesting austerity measures and stalled wage-indexation talks, with thousands demonstrating in Brussels. As of March 12, 2026, only two metro lines were operating in Brussels, and Brussels Airport and Brussels South Charleroi Airport cancelled all departing passenger flights. The strike, which also included a three-day rail strike from March 8-11, was organized by Belgium's three main union federations against government pension reforms and the end of permanent appointments for railway workers. Shipping activity was halted across Belgian ports, and the national railway operator NMBS/SNCB expected approximately seven out of ten intercity trains to operate during the rail strike.
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2026
15 updatesBelgium experienced widespread disruptions on March 12 due to a nationwide strike protesting austerity measures and stalled wage-indexation talks. Thousands demonstrated in Brussels, with only two metro lines operating and other public transport at reduced frequencies. Brussels Airport and Brussels South Charleroi Airport cancelled all departing passenger flights, and shipping activity was halted across Belgian ports.
Belgian rail unions' strike will commence at 10:00 PM on March 8 and conclude at 10:00 PM on March 11, with the national railway operator NMBS/SNCB expecting approximately seven out of ten intercity trains to operate. Brussels Airport has announced the suspension of all departing passenger flights for 24 hours on March 12 due to the nationwide strike.
Belgium faces four days of strike action next week, with a three-day train strike scheduled from March 8-11 to protest pension reforms and the end of permanent appointments. On March 12, a national strike and demonstration will cause major disruptions to public transport in Brussels, and all departing flights are canceled at Brussels Airport.
Belgian railway workers will strike for 72 hours from March 8-11, impacting the entire SNCB-NMBS network. A nationwide general strike is scheduled for March 12, expected to cause severe disruptions. A conciliation meeting is planned between SNCB-NMBS and unions, with alternative service plans to be set up if the strike is confirmed.
Belgian railway workers will strike from March 8-11, with the socialist union ACOD Spoor announcing a refined schedule. This action, protesting pension reforms and the abolition of permanent appointments, affects the entire SNCB-NMBS network. A separate nationwide general strike on March 12 is expected to severely disrupt air travel at Brussels Airport and Brussels South Charleroi Airport, with potential for near-total flight cancellations.
Belgian railway workers are set to hold a nationwide strike from March 9-11, union ACOD Spoor announced. The strike notice covers all employees of the Belgian Railways and its subsidiaries, affecting the entire network. This action follows a previous five-day strike at the end of January and protests government plans to end permanent appointments at the railways.
Belgium's three main union federations have announced a 24-hour general strike for March 12, 2026, protesting government pension reforms and other socio-economic measures. The strike is expected to cause significant disruptions across public transport, including rail services, with the national rail operator SNCB anticipating only a "minimum service." Brussels Airport is also bracing for major impact, as ground staff, security agents, and air-traffic controllers are expected to participate.
Belgium's largest trade unions have issued a 24-hour strike notice for a nationwide strike on March 12, 2026. This industrial action is expected to halt all departing flights at Brussels Airport and cause significant disruptions across public services and the transport industry, including rail links. The strike is part of escalating union mobilization against federal government policies.
The Council of State has rejected a railway union's appeal to accept a three-day strike notice planned for February. HR Rail had previously refused the notice, deeming it disproportionate and irresponsible.
Public transport in Wallonia, including bus, metro, and tramway services in regions like Liège-Verviers and Charleroi, experienced severe disruptions on February 3, 2026, due to an ongoing strike that began on January 26.
The five-day railway strike in Belgium, which caused widespread disruptions, concluded on January 30 at 22:00.
Sophie Dutordoir, CEO of SNCB, expressed frustration over the frequency of railway strikes, noting there have been 31 strike days since January last year.
Belgian rail unions filed an urgent appeal with the Council of State on January 29 after HR Rail rejected their strike notice for February 5, 10, and 12, claiming unions skipped mandatory consultation steps. Unions argue this rejection undermines social dialogue and free collective bargaining.
via visahq.com
Mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke deemed the ongoing five-day rail strike 'unreasonable' and highlighted that it caused heavy rush-hour traffic in Flanders.
A five-day nationwide rail strike began, severely disrupting train services across Belgium until January 30, in protest against government plans to reform railways, including abolishing automatic permanent appointments for new staff and EU-mandated liberalization.
2025
11 updates
2025
11 updatesA general strike took place, contributing to ongoing travel disruption across Belgium.
A national strike took place, involving both public and private sectors, as part of the ongoing protests against socio-economic reforms.
A three-day rail strike began, lasting until November 26, as unions escalated opposition to federal government policies and budget cuts, affecting national and international services.
Over 140,000 workers demonstrated in Brussels in October 2025 against proposed pension reforms, following multiple railway strikes earlier in the year, including a 24-hour strike in May.
A strike was announced to limit rail service on May 19-20, 2025.
Belgian railway unions planned alternating actions throughout April, culminating in a nationwide halt on April 29, protesting government policies including retirement age hikes and budget reductions.
A rail service limitation due to a strike was announced for April 7-8, 2025.
A week-long rail strike culminated in a nationwide stoppage, part of broader union actions against government policies.
Another strike by NMBS/SNCB staff was announced for March 16-17, 2025, with potential impacts on international traffic.
A strike by part of the NMBS/SNCB staff was announced to run from February 21 to March 2, 2025, impacting rail services.
Belgium experienced a 24-hour nationwide rail strike against proposed pension reforms, significantly disrupting domestic and international public transport.
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