Student jobs
Working while you study in Belgium comes with its own rules, separate from a regular job. There is a specific type of contract for students, with tax and social security benefits attached, as long as you stay within certain limits.
This page explains what counts as a student job, what benefits come with it, and where the rules differ if you are not an EU citizen.
Overview
Whether a student job makes sense for you depends on your nationality and how many hours you plan to work. EU, EEA and Swiss students can generally work under the same conditions as Belgian students, while non-EU students need to check their permitted hours before taking on a job.
What counts as a student job
A student job in Belgium runs on a specific type of employment contract (studentenovereenkomst), available if you are enrolled in full-time education and meet the age conditions your employer will check. It comes with reduced social security contributions for both you and your employer, as long as you stay within the recognised number of working hours for the year. Working beyond that limit does not stop you from working, but it does mean your job is treated as a regular contract instead, with regular contributions and tax rules applying.
Tax and social security benefits
- While you stay within your yearly hour quota, you and your employer pay reduced social security contributions compared to a standard employment contract
- Your earnings are only taxed once you go above a certain income threshold, and going over it can also affect whether your parents can still claim you as a dependant for tax purposes
- You can check your remaining available hours at any time through the official Student@Work platform, which also lets you register a new job before you start
Hour limits and income thresholds are reviewed regularly, so check the current figures on Student@Work rather than relying on what applied last year.
Rules for non-EU students
EU, EEA and Swiss students can take on a student job under the same conditions as Belgian students, without needing any extra permission.
Non-EU students holding a valid student residence permit are generally allowed to work a limited number of hours per week during the academic year, with more flexibility during holiday periods, without needing a separate work permit. Since these limits can change, confirm the current rules with the Immigration Office or your institution's international office before you start working, so you do not accidentally work more than your permit allows.
Where to find a student job
- VDAB, the Flemish employment service, lists student vacancies alongside regular job openings
- Your institution's student services or career centre often keeps a list of local employers looking for students
- Shops, hospitality businesses and warehouses in West Flanders regularly hire students directly, especially around holiday periods - checking in person or via their website can be worth it even without an advertised vacancy
Good to know: register any student job on Student@Work before your first day, even if you already have another one. It keeps track of your hours across all your jobs automatically, so you do not lose your reduced contributions by accidentally going over your limit without realising it.
Sources
- Student@Work
- VDAB
- Immigration Office (Dienst Vreemdelingenzaken)
educational leave
