The sectoral minimum wage for liberal professions becomes mandatory in Belgium

A royal decree of October 8, 2026, makes the collective labor agreement of December 15, 2025, mandatory, which establishes a sectoral minimum monthly salary for employees of liberal professions. Signed by King Philippe and countersigned by the Minister of Employment D. Clarinval, the text is published in the Belgian Official Gazette (Moniteur belge) No. 239 of October 20, 2026, page 56600, under the official reference 2026/201589.

The decree is based on the law of December 5, 1968, on collective labor agreements and joint committees, specifically Article 28, and follows the request of the Joint Committee for Liberal Professions (CP 336). The agreement, included as an annex to the instrument, was registered on January 16, 2026, under number 197223/CO/336. As of January 1, 2026, it replaces the collective agreement of September 27, 2023, regarding the minimum monthly income (registration number 183459/CO/336).

A floor of 2,049 gross euros per month

Article 3 of the agreement guarantees a full-time worker a sectoral minimum monthly salary of 2,049 EUR gross, an amount set as of January 1, 2024. This floor is not limited to the basic salary: it also includes benefits evaluable in cash and bonuses granted during the month for ordinary full-time services.

The amount is not fixed. It follows the evolution of the smoothed health index according to the terms of the law of August 2, 1971, and remains linked to the index in effect on January 1, 2024. In the event of a conflict between an indexation and another salary increase, the adjustment linked to the smoothed health index is applied first.

Entry into the profession and special statuses

The text distinguishes several categories of workers, with derogatory percentages:

• 103% of the sectoral minimum monthly salary for the liberal professional entering the profession as an employee, representing the entry minimum;
• 95% of the same amount for the worker bound by a student employment contract or enrolled in a dual training scheme;
• the full reference amount for the full-time worker occupying an ordinary position.

The agreement defines a “liberal professional” as any worker whose activity consists primarily of performing, independently and under their own responsibility, intellectual services requiring prior and permanent training, and who is subject to a code of ethics whose compliance can be enforced by a disciplinary institution designated by law.

Scope and exclusions

The agreement applies to employers and workers falling under the jurisdiction of CP 336. Only one exclusion is provided: persons employed in a family business where usually only relatives, in-laws, or wards work, under the exclusive authority of the father, mother, or guardian.

Duration, termination and scope

The agreement is concluded for an indefinite period, with an effective date set for January 1, 2026. It may be terminated by either party subject to six months’ notice, sent by registered mail to the president of CP 336 as well as to each of the signatory organizations.

For employers in the sector, the decree transforms a negotiated standard into a general obligation: the indexed floor of 2,049 euros is now mandatory for all companies falling under CP 336, including those that were not parties to the agreement. The employees concerned may invoke it directly, and internal scales below this threshold must be aligned, with the entry minimum at 103% further constituting a specific advantage for young liberal professionals.

Official source: Belgian Official Gazette (Moniteur belge) No. 239 of October 20, 2026, p. 56600, royal decree of October 8, 2026 making mandatory the collective labor agreement of December 15, 2025 of the Joint Committee for Liberal Professions, reference 2026/201589.