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National Belgian Rail Strike (SNCB/NMBS): 26–30 January 2026

Last Updated:

Major rail

The social resistance against federal reforms continues into 2026.

Following the FGTB ‘coup de poing’ action in Brussels, Belgian rail unions have confirmed a national railway strike from Monday, 26 January to Friday, 30 January 2026. Railway workers from SNCB/NMBS and Infrabel are protesting against the abolition of permanent statutory status for new recruits, pension cuts, and a €675 million reduction in rail funding.

A minimum service plan will be implemented, but significant delays are expected across the entire Belgian network and on cross-border Eurostar/ICE services.

https://www.belgiantrain.be/en/travel-info/train-network-travel-info/strike

Status: Confirmed. This strike will last 5 days, from Monday, 26 January to Friday, 30 January 2026.

Public Impact 

Operator: SNCB (French) / NMBS (Dutch)

Infrastructure: Infrabel

Service Level: A minimum service plan is expected. Approximately 1 in 3 trains will remain operational.

International Trains: Eurostar and ICE services via Brussels South (Midi) will face significant delays or cancellations.

Why is this strike happening? 

The Belgian railway unions (ACOD Spoor / CGSP Cheminots, ACV Transcom, and others) are protesting federal government reforms, including: 

  • Changes to the statutory employment status for new SNCB staff.
  • Proposed pension adjustments and retirement age increases.
  • Budgetary cuts impacting rail safety and operational efficiency.

This alert was originally created on 18 December 2025.

Public Impact

🚂 Train

Effective Dates

Updates

Jan 30, 2026
HR Rail refused a three‑day strike notice for 5, 10 and 12 February that would have aligned with interprofessional actions. Railway unions (CGSP/ACOD Cheminots and ACV Transcom) have lodged an urgent appeal with the Council of State. Unless overturned, rail stoppages on those dates are not authorized.
Jan 27, 2026
Reliable reporting confirms that the independent rail unions SIC and SACT have joined the week‑long national rail strike alongside CGSP/ACOD, CSC/ACV Transcom and SLFP/VSOA. The five‑day action continues with a legally mandated minimum service and day‑by‑day alternative timetables.
Jan 26, 2026
SNCB confirmed the alternative timetable for Monday 26 Jan (3 IC trains out of 4; 2 S/L out of 3; very few P trains, with Sunday-evening student P trains maintained) and indicates day-by-day plans will appear 24h in advance; a Tuesday 27 Jan summary page is also live. SNCB International adds that most Eurostar services operate normally while cross‑border regional links may be affected. Coverage confirms the five‑day strike is underway from 25 Jan 22:00 to 30 Jan 22:00.
Jan 25, 2026
SNCB published the alternative timetable for Monday 26 Jan: 3 IC trains out of 4, 2 S/L out of 3, and few P trains; strike runs from Sun 25 Jan 22:00 to Fri 30 Jan (last train).
Jan 25, 2026
Media reports list five rail unions joining the 26–30 Jan strike, adding SACT (drivers) and SIC (independent rail union) alongside CGSP/ACOD, CSC/ACV Transcom and SLFP/VSOA.
Jan 14, 2026
ABVV/FGTB calls an interprofessional strike action and rally in Brussels on Monday, 26 January 2026, in solidarity with the rail strike; a strike notice has been filed for participants.
Jan 11, 2026
Rail unions have formally filed the strike notice. The action will start Sunday 25 January at 22:00 and end Friday 30 January at 22:00. NMBS/SNCB will apply a minimum service; detailed alternative timetables will be published shortly before each day.
Jan 10, 2026
FGTB/ABVV calls an interprofessional day of action on Monday 26 January in Brussels in solidarity with the rail strike; some workplaces may see strike absences.
Jan 6, 2026
As of early January, the week-long national rail strike for 26–30 January 2026 is confirmed by the two main railway unions (ACOD Spoor/CGSP Cheminots and ACV Transcom). Reporting indicates smaller unions are not uniformly on board: METISP‑Protect is pursuing a legal route and SACT/ASTB has not yet confirmed participation. A formal strike notice is to be filed in the week of 5 January; NMBS/SNCB indicates a minimum service will operate.

Organizers

  • FGTB/ABVV
  • ACOD Spoor / CGSP Cheminots
  • ACV Transcom
  • VSOA Spoor
  • ASTB
  • OVS

Affected Locations

  • Belgium (national)

Sources

AI AI-Assisted Content: This alert was gathered by StrikeTracker AI Agents. Sources are included on this page. Learn more about our AI.