THE ESSENTIALS
The 2026-2027 school year in Brussels starts on Monday, August 24, 2026, and ends on Friday, July 2, 2027, for compulsory education (primary and secondary). For higher education students, start dates, study periods, and exam dates vary by institution, but the January session is harmonized for most French-speaking universities. Get ready for four holiday periods of two weeks each, in addition to public holidays.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
For primary and secondary education (Wallonia-Brussels Federation):
- Back to school 2026: Monday, August 24, 2026.
- French Community Day: Sunday, September 27, 2026.
- Autumn holidays (All Saints’ Day): From Monday, October 19 to Friday, October 30, 2026.
- All Souls’ Day: Monday, November 2, 2026.
- Armistice Day: Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
- Winter holidays (Christmas): From Monday, December 21, 2026 to Friday, January 1, 2027.
- Mardi Gras: Tuesday, February 9, 2027.
- Relaxation holidays (Carnival): From Monday, February 22 to Friday, March 5, 2027.
- Easter Monday: Monday, March 29, 2027.
- Spring holidays (Easter): From Monday, April 26 to Friday, May 7, 2027. Note that the spring break is shifted relative to Easter.
- Ascension Day: Thursday, May 6, 2027.
- Whit Monday: Monday, May 17, 2027.
- End of the school year: Friday, July 2, 2027.
For higher education (universities and colleges in Brussels):
- Start of the academic year: Mid-September 2026.
- End of first semester classes: Saturday, December 19, 2026 for most French-speaking universities. ULB is an exception with classes ending on December 12, 2026, the week of the 14th being dedicated to catch-up sessions.
- January exam session: From Monday, January 4 to Saturday, January 23, 2027 for the six French-speaking universities (UCLouvain, UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles, ULB, ULiège, UNamur, and UMons). For colleges, the session can run until January 30 or 31, 2027.
- January study period: This corresponds to the winter holidays, between the end of classes and the start of the exam session.
- End of second semester classes: Generally mid-April or end of April 2027.
- June exam session: The end of second semester classes is generally Saturday, May 15, 2027 for UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles, with the start of the exam session on Monday, May 31, 2027 and the end on Saturday, June 27, 2027.
- Resit exams (second session): Mid to late August 2027. For example, at UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles, the resit session begins on Friday, August 13, 2027 and ends on Friday, September 3, 2027.
The “blocus” (study period) is a period of intensive study before exams.
HOW TO DO IT
- Note key dates: Use a paper or digital planner to mark all start dates, holidays, exam sessions, and study periods for the 2026-2027 year.
- Check your institution’s calendar: If you’re in higher education, consult your university or college website for precise study period and exam dates, as they can vary.
- Anticipate the study period: Christmas holidays are often your study period for the January session, so organize yourself accordingly.
- Look for study rooms: The City of Brussels provides equipped study rooms during study periods. Some universities also offer supervised study periods.
THE PITFALLS
- Confusing calendars: School holidays for compulsory education (primary and secondary) are set by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, but those for higher education are specific to each institution. Always check the calendar that concerns you.
- Neglecting the study period: The study period is not a holiday period; it’s a crucial revision phase. Don’t underestimate it.
- Forgetting isolated public holidays: Some public holidays are not included in classic holiday periods, so remember to note them down to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION
For official and up-to-date information, consult the websites of the following organizations:
- Wallonia-Brussels Federation: The official school calendar for compulsory education is available on enseignement.be and on the official website of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
- Your higher education institution: Each university or college publishes its own detailed academic calendar.
- Infor Jeunes: For general information on school holidays in French-speaking Belgium.
- CPAS de la Ville de Bruxelles: To find out about available study rooms.
Verified sources
Information verified on 08/09/2026. Amounts and rules may change: always check with the official organization.