Belgian sickness benefit 2026
How much will you receive if unable to work, as an employee or self-employed, once the guaranteed salary runs out? Calculate your daily and monthly sickness fund benefit (INAMI). Free, instant calculation.
Parameters
Enter your gross monthly salary to see your estimated benefit.
Two stages: guaranteed salary, then sickness fund
If you're unable to work, your income doesn't stop, but it changes source, and often amount. This calculator shows you exactly what to expect once the guaranteed salary runs out.
1. The first 30 days: guaranteed salary
For 30 calendar days, your employer continues to pay you 100% of your usual net salary , this is the "guaranteed salary". To estimate it, use our gross → net salary calculator.
2. From day 31: the sickness fund benefit
Your sickness fund takes over with a benefit calculated by INAMI: 60% of your gross daily wage, capped at €186.79/day in 2026, minus an 11.11% withholding tax. This is usually where the income drop is felt, often 25 to 35% less than your usual net.
3. A cap that affects higher salaries
If your salary exceeds the legal cap, the benefit no longer follows your actual salary: it stays locked at the maximum amount, regardless of your income above that. The higher your salary, the bigger the relative loss can be.
4. Self-employed: a flat rate, not a percentage
The self-employed regime is different: the benefit does not depend on your income, only on your family situation. And a 7-day waiting period applies: if your incapacity lasts 7 days or less, you receive nothing for that period, unlike an employee, who gets guaranteed salary from day 1.
What this calculator does not cover
This calculator estimates the base benefit for the 1st year of incapacity ("primary incapacity"), for an employee or a primary self-employed worker. It does not model the guaranteed minimum amounts for an employee from the 3rd month (varying by family situation), the regime after one year ("invalidity", different rates/flat amounts), or the assisting spouse regime or self-employed as a secondary activity. These situations depend on personal criteria to be checked directly with your sickness fund.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays me while I'm sick?
First your employer, for 30 calendar days: this is the "guaranteed salary", 100% of your usual net. Then, from the following day, your sickness fund (mutuelle) takes over with a benefit calculated by INAMI.
How is the sickness fund benefit calculated?
At 60% of your gross daily wage, capped (€186.79 per day in 2026). A withholding tax of 11.11% is then deducted. This calculation applies to your 1st year of incapacity ("primary incapacity") as an employee.
Why is my salary divided by 26?
INAMI calculates benefits under a "6-day week" regime (a common basis shared with unemployment benefits). The gross daily wage is derived from the monthly wage using this regime's official formula, which works out to dividing the monthly wage by 26.
Is there a guaranteed minimum amount?
Yes, from the 3rd month of incapacity, a minimum amount applies (varying by family situation and "regular worker" status, to be checked with your sickness fund). This calculator does not model it: your actual benefit could therefore be higher than the estimate if you're entitled to it.
What happens after a year of incapacity?
You move to "invalidity" status, with a different rate depending on your family situation: 65% (with dependents), 55% (single) or 40% (cohabiting) of the capped daily wage. This regime is not covered by this tool, which is limited to the 1st year.
Does this tool apply to self-employed workers?
Yes, select "Self-employed" in the calculator. The regime is different: a flat daily rate based on your family situation (with dependant, single, cohabiting), not a percentage of your income.
How much does a self-employed worker receive when unable to work?
A flat amount per day, set by family situation (€81.10 with dependant, €64.27 single, €49.29 cohabiting in 2026), regardless of your income. An 11.11% withholding tax is deducted, same as for employees.
Is a self-employed worker compensated from the first day of illness?
Only if the incapacity lasts more than 7 days: in that case, the benefit does cover day 1. But if the incapacity lasts 7 days or less, the "waiting period" applies: no benefit is due for that period, unlike an employee who receives guaranteed salary from day 1.
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