Are these measures already official?
No, they are not yet official. This article discusses the new measures that the Flemish government has approved. However, both the SERV (Social and Economic Council of Flanders) and the Council of State still need to provide their recommendations. The measures will only become definitive after publication in the Moniteur belge.
Until this legislative process is completed, the proposed measures may still change and do not yet have legal force.
What is VOV?
The VOV (formerly known as paid educational leave) applies to employees in the private sector who are employed by one or more employers in the Flemish Region.
Employees who work at least 50% of the normal hours are entitled to participate in certain training courses and to be absent while retaining their pay. This pay is capped at 3,641 euros gross per month (indexed amount for the school year 2024/2025). You will pay this salary, but you will receive a contribution from the Flemish government.
Read more: What is the Flemish educational leave? | Securex
From the school year 2025-2026, the rules regarding the VOV will be adjusted, and we will provide information on the upcoming changes.
Stricter employment condition
Currently, an employee can take VOV if they work at least 50% of the normal working hours within your company.
This employment condition is becoming stricter. From the new school year, employees will need to work at least 80% and an average of at least 28 hours per week.
Lower flat-rate salary
Additionally, the contribution you receive from the Flemish government (for each hour your employee attends training) will decrease. The flat-rate salary will drop from 21.30 euros per hour to 14.91 euros per hour.
For example, if an employee attends training for 3 hours per week, the contribution you receive from the Flemish government for this training would change as follows:
- Old scheme: 3 hours x 21.30 euros = 63.90 euros per week
- New scheme: 3 hours x 14.91 euros = 44.73 euros per week
Extension of joint initiative right
The joint initiative right will be extended for the school year 2025 – 2026, pending a definitive reform of the VOV.
Read more: Changes to the Flemish educational leave in 2025 | Securex
Training courses that do not qualify
To prevent established abuses and to provide legal certainty, the Flemish government has clarified which training courses do not qualify for the VOV.
It is now explicitly stated that the following training courses do not qualify for the VOV:
1° onboarding processes;
2° mentoring of a new colleague by a mentor;
3° an online offering of training videos;
4° lunch and learn sessions;
5° corporate theatre;
6° learning networks;
7° intervision.
Combination possibility will not be extended
To be eligible for Flemish educational leave, the employee must be enrolled for at least 32 hours (or 3 study points) in a recognised training course from the training database or for a career-oriented training course (after following career guidance).
Within a period of 1 year, various modules, even from different training providers, of less than 32 hours may be combined to meet this minimum of 32 hours. According to the note accompanying the draft decision, this combination possibility will no longer be extended and will therefore expire on 31 August 2025.
Entry into force
The measures will apply from the new school year starting on 1 September 2025. The reduction of the flat-rate salary and the stricter employment condition will only apply for the school year 2025-2026, pending a structural reform of the VOV.
What does Securex do for you?
A complete overview of the Flemish educational leave can be found in our file on Lex4you.
If you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact your Legal Advisor at myHr@securex.be
Be sure to inform your Client Advisor about the days your employee has taken Flemish educational leave. This will ensure correct payroll processing. You need to apply for the reimbursement of the wage cost yourself. More information about the application and reimbursement procedure can be found via this link.
