European labor market and employment reforms

In mid-2026, Belgium and France introduced various employment-related measures. In Belgium, a new single programme called ‘Job Plus’ was launched on 1 July 2026 to replace multiple hiring subsidies. This programme, administered through the Forem platform, provides monthly financial support to employers hiring workers distant from the labour market.

Further labor reforms in Belgium took effect on 1 August 2026, reintroducing a standard six-month probationary period. Minister of Employment David Clarinval noted this measure aims to ‘stimulate the labor market and encourage employers to hire young people’ by mitigating recruitment risks. Additionally, legislative proposals have been introduced to reform job application leave, seeking to distinguish between essential interview activities and other job-seeking tasks.

In France, an exceptional hiring aid for apprentices was re-established via a decree in March 2026. This aid, targeted at firms with fewer than 250 staff, provides varying levels of financial support based on qualification levels and disability status for contracts signed through the end of the year.