Reform of APE support in Wallonia: changes in 2026? Key terms: argument/dispute, help, volunteer aid, employment aids. Our mission: your success.

As of 1 January 2026, Wallonia is planning a major reform of the employment promotion aids (APE). This reform aims to achieve significant budget savings, but it will have immediate effects for many employers. If you depend on APE funding, it is important to prepare for the following changes.

This AI-generated translation may contain errors and should not be considerd legal advice. For accurate info, refer to the Dutch or French version or consult your Securex Legal Advisor.

What is the APE scheme?

The Employment Promotion Aids (APE) are a financial support mechanism provided by Wallonia to sustain or create employment in the public and non-profit sectors.

They particularly support:

The municipalities, provinces, police zones, emergency zones, and intermunicipalities.
The non-profit organisations that assist individuals in areas such as culture, sports, early childhood, social action, and the environment.
Certain organisations in the non-profit sector that are subject to corporate tax.

For more information, please refer to our sheet « Non-profit sector – Employment Promotion Aid (APE) »

What changes are expected from 2026?

The measures outlined below are based on the budgetary conclave and are included in the draft budgetary decree-program for 2026. They will take effect from January 1, 2026.

Reduction of the APE subsidy for several categories of employers

The reductions are significant and mainly affect public employers:

– 25 % for:
- Public establishments of the Walloon Region
- Public establishments of the French Community
- Autonomous municipal companies
– 12.5 % for employers in the non-profit sector subject to corporate tax
Intermunicipalities: overall reduction of 4.77 M€, adjusted according to their level of APE subsidy, with immunisation of the health, personal assistance, early childhood, and road maintenance sectors.

Employers whose APE subsidy is reduced will see their obligation to maintain the volume of sustained employment decrease in the same proportion.

In practical terms, this means that when the Region reduces your APE subsidy (for example by 25 % or 12.5 %), it automatically lowers the requirement to maintain the corresponding APE positions. You will therefore not be required to fully retain the initially recognised volume of sustained employment.

Total removal of aid for certain public employers

The APE would be completely withdrawn for:

The police zones
The emergency zones
The provinces

For these entities, the positions currently funded by the APE will have to be supported without subsidy, unless there is internal reallocation.

Cross-the-board reduction for cities and municipalities

The municipalities will see their APE envelope reduced by 4.4 %, amounting to – 17.5 M€ in total.

Moratorium on transfers

The Walloon Government plans to establish, from 2026, a freeze on the transfer of APE points. In practical terms, as an employer, you will no longer be able to transfer or receive APE points between operators, a practice that has been common until now to adjust subsidised staffing levels.

Example

A non-profit organisation has 5 workers funded by APE points. If one of them unexpectedly leaves the organisation (due to resignation or long-term illness), the organisation could previously take back APE points from another operator to quickly hire a replacement and maintain its activities. With the freeze on transfers, this solution is no longer possible.

As an employer, you will have to either bear the salary cost without subsidy, forgo the replacement, or reorganise the tasks among the other workers.

New condition for hiring a worker under APE

Currently, one day of registration as a job seeker is sufficient for your worker to qualify for APE aid.

In 2026, the requirement will be raised to 4 months of registration with Forem for any new entrant.

What does the APE reform foresee from 2027?

The APE scheme will be repealed on January 1, 2027, in accordance with the joint decision of the Walloon Government and the Government of the French Community dated June 12, 2025. The measures applied from 2026 constitute a transitional phase intended to prepare for this abolition.

From July 1, 2027, the APE will be replaced by a new scheme of a single hiring premium, aimed at job seekers who are furthest from the labour market and accessible to all sectors.

We are closely monitoring the evolution of the legislative framework and will keep you informed of any changes or clarifications as soon as they are confirmed on Lex4You.

What does Securex do for you?

For any additional information or further questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Legal Advisor by email at myHR@securex.be.

Effective date?

According to the draft budgetary decree-program for 2026, the measures will apply from January 1, 2026 and will concern only new commitments or the subsidy applicable from that date.

The schemes and positions already in place will continue to follow the current rules, except for the budgetary reductions that apply globally to the APE envelopes.

The text is currently in procedure and may be adjusted during its examination by Parliament. Securex is closely following the matter: as soon as the effective date is confirmed, the information will be updated on Lex4You.