What is the central index?
The central index is a threshold that decides when social benefits and government salaries are adjusted for inflation. If the average of the last four months of the health index (called the ‘flattened’ health index) goes above the central index, these amounts increase by 2 percent.
Adjustment by 2%
If the central index is exceeded, wages and social benefits increase by 2%.
The federal government has set in the programme law that social benefits and civil servant salaries will only be increased three months after the consumer price index is exceeded. This means government staff salaries will only be adjusted by 2% in September 2026
Wages in the non-profit sector will also increase by 2% in July or August. The flexible wage in the hospitality sector and the GMMI will also increase in July 2026.
According to the planning bureau, the next central indexes (102.29 base year 2025) are expected to be exceeded in December 2026.
Because of the ‘cents index’, the 2% indexation only applies to the first bracket: up to 2,000 euros (benefits) and 4,000 euros (government salaries).
Index forecast for JC 200
In joint committee 200, wages are indexed once a year in January. The indexation rules in JC 200 are therefore not linked to the central index.
In January 2026, wages in JC 200 were indexed by 2.21%.
The forecast for January 2027 is currently 3.41%. Previously, an index of 4.05% was expected.
Read more: "Indexation rules JC 200"
Index forecast in other sectors
Each sector sets its own indexation rules. Some sectors index once a year at a fixed time with a variable percentage, like JC 200. Other sectors index at a variable time but with a fixed percentage.
An example of the latter is the chemical sector. This is JC 116 for manual workers and JC 207 for employees. Wages there will be indexed by 2% in May 2026.
The next index is only expected in 2027.
Check the rules in your sector via Joint Committees > Determining the wage > Indexation rules.
Cents index
The cents index applies to all gross wages above 4,000 euros. It starts when wages are indexed. In the non-profit sectors, the cents index will be applied in July or August, depending on whether the index is applied the first or second month after exceeding the central index.
In JC 200, the cents index will only be applied in January 2027. Since the JC 200 index will be higher than 2%, the part above 2% will be fully applied.
A simple example:
Your employee earns 4,500 euros gross and the forecast index is 3.41%. The cents index up to 2% is applied to 4,000 euros.
4,000 x 2% = 80 euros
The 1.41% (3.41 - 2) is applied to 4,500 euros = 63.45 euros
Your employee therefore receives a total indexation of 143.45 euros instead of 153.45 euros.
Read more: "The cents index starts on 1 June 2026"
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