Belgium National Strike (November 2025)

The Belgian National Strike is a nationwide work stoppage that began on 24 November 2025 and is expected to last three days, in response to the federal government’s austerity policies aimed at reducing public debt and planned cuts to social spending. The strike was launched simultaneously across both the public and private sectors at the call of all major trade unions in Belgium.

National strike in Belgium, 24 November 2025 – (Anadolu Ajansı)

Nature and Scope of the Strike

The strike wave has been declared under the name “Appel de Novembre” (November Call). Organized by Belgium’s leading unions—ACV-CSC, FGTB-ABVV, and CGSLB-ACLVB—the actions are a direct protest against the federal government’s planned reforms in social security, pensions, unemployment benefits, wages, and working conditions.

The strike is planned to unfold in three phases:

• Monday, 24 November: Strike by railway and public transport workers,
• Tuesday, 25 November: Work stoppages in public services, schools, nurseries, and hospitals,
• Wednesday, 26 November: General strike covering both public and private sectors.

Impact on Transport and Infrastructure

Rail Services

The national railway company SNCB-NMBS announced that, starting 23 November at 22:00, train services would be reduced and that capacity would be limited to one-third until the end of 26 November. Eurostar reported that half of the Brussels–Paris services, one-quarter of the Brussels–Amsterdam and Amsterdam–London routes, and only 20 percent of the Brussels–Liège–Germany services would operate. The company stated, “Affected customers have been informed and are offered the option to change their reservations without additional fees.”

Metro, Tram, and Bus Services

The Brussels Public Transport Authority (STIB-MIVB) announced significant disruptions to metro, tram, and bus services during the strike. On the first day, metro lines 1 and 5, and tram lines 4, 7, 8, 10, 82, 92, and 93 operated with limited service, along with bus lines 36 and 71. The authority stated, “Transport services will operate at reduced frequency.”

Operators in the Flemish region (De Lijn) and the Walloon region (TEC) also confirmed that services would be limited and cancellations could increase throughout the day. Real-time updates are available only through their online applications.

Maritime and Ferry Services

Staff at the Zeebrugge Traffic Control Center announced they would join the strike from the evening of 24 November until the morning of 27 November. The Coast Guard and Maritime Agency stated, “Maritime traffic may be affected due to the strike by Zeebrugge Traffic Control Center personnel as of 24 November.” Cancellations have been implemented on ferry routes including Sint-Anna, Kruibeke-Hoboken, Basel-Hemiksem, and Terdonk.

Airports and Flights

All flights scheduled to depart from Brussels Zaventem Airport on 26 November have been cancelled. Charleroi South Airport has also suspended all flights on the same date. Authorities stated, “All flights departing from Brussels Zaventem Airport on 26 November have been cancelled.”

Passengers scheduled to fly on 24 and 25 November were advised to arrive earlier due to transport disruptions. No official statements have yet been issued regarding the status of Ostend and Antwerp airports.

Airport affected by the national strike in Belgium, 24 November 2025 – (Anadolu Ajansı)

Impact on Public Services and Institutions

The City of Brussels announced that its administrative center, Brucity, would provide limited services from 24 to 26 November. Other municipalities issued similar warnings and advised residents, “Brussels citizens are encouraged to consult their local municipal websites for further information.”

Courts in Brussels are expected to remain open, but some hearings may be delayed due to transport disruptions.

Teachers’ unions have called for a strike on 25 and 26 November. Education workers have stated that the government’s austerity measures are negatively affecting the sector. Disruptions in public services are also occurring due to participation by hospital and nursery staff in the strike.

The General Confederation of Public Services (CGSP) union announced that police forces would also join the strike between 24 and 26 November. The union cited “deteriorating working conditions and lack of professional recognition” as reasons for the call to strike.

Waste collection services across Brussels have been disrupted. Bruxelles Propreté stated, “Bruxelles Propreté advises households to put out only white and orange bins on affected days.” Recycling waste (blue, green, yellow bins) has been postponed until the week of 1 December. Additional collection is planned for 27 November. The national postal service bpost is attempting to maintain service continuity through voluntary staff reinforcements.

Government Policies and Union Demands

The five-party coalition government led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever has announced new austerity measures due to the country’s public debt exceeding 100 percent of its gross domestic product. The government’s multi-year budget plan includes increases in certain value-added taxes (VAT) and investment taxes. De Wever defended the measures on social media with the phrase, “Work today, reap the fruits tomorrow.”

Unions have characterized these policies as “a call to end all social programs under Prime Minister De Wever and the entire government” and continue their protests.

The FGTB union has accused Prime Minister De Wever of “contempt” and “disrespect.” The unions have reiterated their demands for a wealth tax, taxation of digital corporations, the elimination of unconditional subsidies to large corporations, and the abolition of pension penalties.

Social Impact and Current Situation

The November 2025 strike is part of an ongoing series of economic reform protests throughout 2025. Tens of thousands of people protested similar disruptions in the streets of Brussels in October 2025.

It has been confirmed that no centralized march will be held during the three-day national strike; instead, protest points will be established nationwide. The actions are still ongoing.

Belgium National Strike – Day 2

The second day of the three-day national strike in Belgium, which began on 24 November 2025, continued on Tuesday 25 November with broad participation from the public sector. The strike is being carried out following a joint call by major Belgian trade unions against the federal government’s socioeconomic reforms and austerity policies.

Continuing Disruptions in Transportation

Rail Services

On the second day of the strike, disruptions continued in train services operated by the national railway company SNCB. Approximately half of the intercity (IC) trains across the country were running, while only one third of local and suburban lines (L and S trains) remained in service. The number of peak-hour (P) trains was also reduced. Passengers were advised to check real-time train information via the SNCB website and mobile application.

International services were reported to be operating as scheduled on the Brussels–Paris route by OUIGO trains, although the impact of cancellations from the previous day persisted. Most TGV INOUI trains ran as planned, with only the Nantes–Brussels-Midi (9886/7) and Brussels-Midi–Nantes (9832) services cancelled. Some Eurocity trains on the Brussels–Amsterdam route were cancelled or rerouted.

Disruptions also continued on the high-speed Eurostar services. The company announced that during the strike, half of the trains on the Brussels–Paris route and three quarters of those on the Brussels–Amsterdam and Amsterdam–London routes would operate. Around 20 percent of trains on the Brussels–Liège–Germany line remained in service.

Disruptions in Metro, Bus and Tram Services

In a statement by STIB-MIVB, disruptions continued on metro, tram and bus lines. As of 17:30 on 25 November, metro lines 1 and 5, tram lines 8 and 82 (between Gare de Berchem and Wiels), and tram line 4 (between Brussels North and Brussels Midi) continued to operate. However, nearly all bus lines were suspended due to strike checkpoints established by unions.

Disruptions in Maritime and Ferry Traffic

Ferry services in Flanders remained limited on the second day. The Sint-Anna ferry operated with a single vessel between midnight and 07:00, then ceased service for the remainder of the day. The Bazel-Hemiksem and Kruibeke-Hoboken ferry routes were completely suspended on Tuesday 25 November.

Disruptions in maritime traffic continued due to participation of personnel from the Zeebrugge Traffic Control Centre in the strike, causing delays in shipments to the ports of Antwerp and Ghent. The Maritime Services and Coastal Agency stated that these disruptions would persist until Wednesday morning.

Postal, Health and Education Sectors

The Belgian national postal company bpost reported limited impact on its services on the second day. Only 10 of 656 post offices, located in the cities of Tournai and Andenne, remained closed. Citizens can track their parcels via the bpost mobile application.

In the health sector, most hospital services in Brussels continued as normal. A spokesperson for Saint-Pierre Hospital stated, “Planned appointments, intensive care and inpatient services will continue as usual.” A spokesperson for UZ Brussel confirmed that the institution would not be affected by the strike.

Participation of Security Forces, Prisons and Education

Under the strike call issued by the CGSP union, security forces again abstained from work on the second day. According to the same union’s announcement, prison staff also joined the strike on 25 November.

The strike notice for the education sector came into effect as of today. The Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) participated from the first day of the strike; students and academic staff blocked access to the Solbosch campus in Brussels to demonstrate solidarity.