Belgium Strike 2026: Trains, VRT Halt Over Budget Cuts

Belgium is facing a nationwide Belgium strike on Monday, 12 October 2026, as public-sector unions protest the De Wever government's planned budget cuts. The strike, led by the socialist union ACOD/CGSP, is disrupting trains, buses, schools, waste collection and even the Flemish public broadcaster VRT. The action comes one day before Prime Minister Bart De Wever was due to deliver his State of the Union address, which has now been postponed.

Why is Belgium on strike?

The protest targets a €10 billion savings plan announced by the federal government, along with pension reform and a proposed cap on sick leave for civil servants. Unions argue that workers are shouldering the burden of austerity while public services deteriorate. The Belgian public sector austerity measures have triggered four major national demonstrations this year, and Monday's strike is the latest escalation.

"We cannot accept that public services are dismantled while the government refuses to tax wealth fairly," a union spokesperson said at a gathering outside Brussels' Saint-Pierre Hospital.

What services are affected by the strike?

Trains and public transport

The rail strike began at 22:00 on Sunday evening and runs until the last train on Monday. Belgium's rail operator SNCB/NMBS is running a reduced timetable: about 7 in 10 intercity trains, half of local and suburban services, and only one in five peak-hour trains. The Dutch railway NS has warned travellers between the Netherlands and Belgium to check their journey planner before departure. Buses, trams and metro services are also disrupted, with De Lijn reporting around 39% of its vehicles off the road. Similar to the European rail strikes seen in France and Germany, commuters face significant delays and cancellations.

VRT broadcasting

Staff at the Flemish public broadcaster VRT are also walking out. The broadcaster faces an additional €10 million in cuts on top of an earlier round, forcing it to cancel many TV programmes, shorten news bulletins and play mostly music on radio. The VRT action highlights how budget reductions are reshaping Belgium's public media landscape.

Schools and waste collection

Some schools, mainly in the Flemish community, are affected, and waste collection has been reduced in several municipalities. Prisons and fire services are operating under minimum-staffing rules.

Political crisis and postponed State of the Union

The strike unfolds amid a deepening government crisis. De Wever's coalition has failed to reach a budget agreement, and his State of the Union speech scheduled for Tuesday has been postponed. The government has been in crisis since the weekend as coalition parties remain divided over spending priorities. Analysts say the Belgian government budget deadlock could further fuel union anger and lead to more industrial action. A decision on further strikes is expected on 9 November.

Impact on travellers and commuters

Travellers are advised to avoid non-essential regional movement, allow extra time and check the SNCB journey planner around 24 hours before departure. Brussels Airport flights are operating normally, but ground transport to the terminal is unreliable. For those crossing the border, the Netherlands Belgium train travel corridor is particularly affected. Last Friday's demonstration in Brussels turned violent when masked youths clashed with police, leaving at least 110 people arrested, though police said the unrest was not linked to the union action.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Belgium strike about?
The strike protests the De Wever government's €10 billion savings plan, pension reform and civil-service sick-leave cap.

Are trains running in Belgium today?
Yes, but with a reduced timetable. About 70% of intercity trains, 50% of local services and 20% of peak trains are running.

Is the VRT on strike?
Yes, VRT staff have joined the walkout, causing cancelled TV programmes and shortened news bulletins.

Will there be more strikes?
Unions will decide on further action on 9 November 2026.