Household help
Keeping up with cleaning and household chores can be hard to fit in, especially while you're still settling into a new job, city, and language. Belgium has a system that makes hiring help for the home affordable and fully legal.
This guide explains how service vouchers work, what they cover, and how to get started.
Overview
Service vouchers (dienstencheques) are a government-supported system that lets you pay for household help, such as cleaning, at a reduced price. You buy the vouchers yourself and use them to pay a recognised service provider, who then arranges a worker for you.
The system is available to anyone living in Belgium, regardless of nationality.
What service vouchers cover
Service vouchers can be used for a limited set of household tasks, including:
- Cleaning your home
- Ironing, including pick-up and delivery in some cases
- Small sewing tasks, such as mending clothes
- Shopping assistance, in some regions, for people with reduced mobility
They cannot be used for childcare, gardening, or larger renovation or repair work.
How to buy and use them
You can buy service vouchers online through the official platform for your region, or in some cases through your bank. Once purchased, you contact a recognised service company, who assigns a worker to come to your home.
Steps typically include:
- Registering as a user on the official regional platform
- Buying vouchers in the quantity you need, either as a one-off purchase or a standing order
- Contacting a recognised company to arrange regular or occasional help
- Paying with your vouchers once the work is completed, either on paper or electronically depending on the region
Cost and tax benefits
Each voucher covers one hour of work and costs a fixed price, which is lower than the market rate for equivalent private help. Part of the cost can also be recovered through your tax return, reducing the net cost even further.
Good to know: the exact price per voucher and the maximum number you can buy each year can change, so it's worth checking the current rates on the official platform before you commit to a regular arrangement.
Sources
- Province of West Flanders — west-vlaanderen.be
- Housing in Flanders — vlaanderen.be
