EU Pay Transparency Implementation in Belgium

Belgium has emerged as a trailblazer in implementing the EU Pay Transparency Directive—though currently focused on its French‑speaking Wallonia‑Brussels Federation rather than the entire country. On 12 September 2024, that region officially transposed the Directive into its local legal framework, making it the first jurisdiction in the EU to do so.

This landmark decree, effective 1 January 2025, applies primarily to entities under the Federation’s control: public‑sector bodies, educational institutions, and government agencies. It incorporates the key transparency requirements mandated by the EU, with notable enhancements. Employers must publish starting salary or salary range in all job listings—presented accessibly, including for those with disabilities. Job titles must also be crafted to avoid gender bias, and reports must include analysis of gendered impacts of family‑related leave (maternity, parental, adoption), going beyond minimal EU criteria .

The decree also reshapes organizational pay frameworks: employers must adopt objective, non‑discriminatory classification systems and ensure recruitment avoids collecting prior salary information. A significant shift in enforcement places the burden of proof on employers—if discriminatory practices are alleged, employers must demonstrate fairness . Non‑compliance carries potential fines (up to €3,900 annually, plus damages).

While currently limited to the Wallonia‑Brussels Federation, this regional decree is widely seen as a model for broader Belgian and national implementation, expected before the EU deadline of 7 June 2026. The Federation’s approach—pioneering salary‑range transparency from the job‑advert stage, enhancing reporting standards, and embedding proactive remediation steps—sets a high bar and signals Belgium’s leadership in pay equity reform.

Belgian employers operating in the region should begin aligning HR practices now to ensure compliance by January 2025. Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into another region or comparative analysis!