What is the relaunch hours scheme?
The relaunch hours are a specific scheme for overtime introduced as part of economic support measures. They allow a worker to perform, with their written consent, up to 120 hours of overtime that:
- Are not subject to social security contributions
- Are not taxable
- Do not result in overtime pay
- Do not require a compensatory rest
- Do not count towards the internal limit of 143 hours.
This scheme is different from the standard quota of voluntary overtime.
What does the government plan for 2026?
A bill submitted to the Chamber plans to extend the relaunch hours scheme beyond December 31, 2025, for an additional period until March 31, 2026.
If the extension is approved, the relaunch hours worked between January 1 and March 31, 2026, will have implications for the future.
Indeed, from April 1, 2026, a new structural scheme will allow the employer to pay up to 240 hours of voluntary overtime gross-net.
What does this mean for you as an employer?
Subject to the final adoption of the texts, this means that:
- You will be able to continue using up to 120 relaunch hours until March 31, 2026, inclusive
- A separate written agreement must be made with the worker for this specific period
- The 120 relaunch hours:
- Are added to the legal basic quota of ordinary voluntary overtime
- Can be used even before the basic quota is exhausted
- Allow a combined maximum of 220 voluntary overtime hours
Entry into force?
The extension of the relaunch hours until March 31, 2026, is included in a bill. We will keep you updated on Lex4You as soon as the official publication occurs.
What is Securex doing for you?
For any additional information or further questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Legal Advisor by email at myHR@securex.be
To learn more about relaunch hours, please consult our sheet « Relance overtime ».
