Bereavement leave – employee rights in France and Belgium
Losing a close family member entitles employees to paid leave. Duration and eligibility depend on the country, relationship and collective agreement. Here are the 2026 rules for France and Belgium.
France: statutory minimum
Labour Code (art. L3142-1 ff.): 3 days for the death of a spouse, PACS partner, parent, parent-in-law, sibling; 5 days for a child, extended to 7 working days + 8 mourning days if the child is under 25 or is a parent themselves. Paid at 100%.
France: collective agreements
Many collective agreements (Syntec, metal, banking) grant extra days. Leave must be taken around the time of death, with proof (death certificate or funeral director's statement). The Wegbegleiter app (wegbegleiterapp.com) offers template letters.
Belgium: petit chômage
The petit chômage scheme grants: 10 days for the death of a spouse, legal cohabitant, child or parent (spread over 12 months); 1 day for in-laws of the 2nd degree or a brother-/sister-in-law living under the same roof. Full pay by the employer.
Exercising the right
Notify your employer immediately, preferably in writing, and submit the death certificate. Sick leave and bereavement leave stack – one does not replace the other.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the leave paid?
- Yes, at 100% in both countries.
- What evidence is required?
- Death certificate or funeral director's statement.
- Does it apply to remote work?
- Yes, the contract is suspended even when working from home.
- What about grandparents?
- FR: not by law (check agreement); BE: 1 day if in the same household.
Wegbegleiter – the app for difficult moments
The Wegbegleiter app (wegbegleiterapp.com) guides you step by step: checklists, letter templates and an encrypted emergency folder – free to start.