Your first student job: the complete guide for working as a student
5 min
Around half a million young people in Belgium work a student job each year. They do this to earn some extra money, gain experience and learn new skills. A student job is an important step towards financial independence. Here we guide you through everything you need to know, from legislation and taxation to practical tips.
In a nutshell:
- As a student worker, you pay lower social security contributions and no taxes, provided you meet certain conditions.
- To work as a student, you must be enrolled at a recognised educational institution.
- Always sign a contract for your student job, as this provides legal protection.
- The number of hours you are allowed to work as a student depends on the region where you live.
What is a student job?
Working as a student means working under a specific status that allows you to pay lower social security contributions than a regular employee. You also benefit from greater flexibility: you can work when it suits you best, in the evenings, at weekends or during school holidays.
Key features of a student job:
- You can only work under a student contract if you are officially enrolled at a recognised educational institution.
- Studying must remain your main activity. Work is always secondary to your studies.
- Your employer must conclude a specific student contract, not a standard employment contract.
What are the conditions for working as a student?
Whether you are allowed to work as a student depends on a number of legal conditions:
- You must be enrolled at a recognised educational institution (secondary school, college or university), and studying must be your main activity.
- This may be full-time or part-time education, although specific restrictions apply to part-time education.
- You must be at least 15 years old and have completed the first stage of secondary education.
- Or you must be at least 16 years old, with no additional school-related requirements.
Do I need a contract as a student worker?
Yes. Never start working as a student without a written student contract. This contract provides legal protection for both you and your employer. It must be signed no later than the moment you start work. The maximum duration of a student contract is 12 months.
What must a student contract include?
- Name and address of the employer and the student
- A clear description of your workplace and the tasks you will perform
- An explicit mention of your status as a student
- Working hours per day and per week
- Hourly wage and how your pay will be paid
- Start date and duration of the contract (maximum 1 year)
What if your employer does not want to draw up a contract?
If the company you want to work for as a student refuses to draw up a contract, our advice is simple: don’t work without an official contract. Undeclared work can result in heavy fines, both for you and for your employer. Moreover, without a contract, you have no legal protection, which can only work against you.
How many hours am I allowed to work as a student?
As a student worker, you pay reduced social security contributions as long as you do not exceed a legally defined number of working hours. The number of hours you are allowed to work depends on the region where you live. In addition, up to the age of 25 and under certain conditions, your parents may receive monthly family allowances. In Dutch-speaking areas, this benefit is known as the Groeipakket. In French-speaking Belgium, it is referred to as allocations familiales. If you work too many hours, your parents risk losing this benefit.
- If you live in Flanders, you may work up to 650 hours per calendar year at reduced social security contributions.
- If you live in Wallonia, you may also work up to 650 hours per year at reduced social security contributions.
- If you live in the Brussels-Capital Region, you may work up to 240 hours per quarter. This rule does not apply in July, August and September, provided you continue your studies after the summer holidays.
Want to know how many hours you are allowed to work or how many you have left? Check the Student@work website.
How much do I earn as a student?
The pay for your student job is agreed with your employer and recorded in your contract. One of the main advantages of working as a student is that you keep more of your pay than a regular employee, as you do not pay taxes (under certain conditions).
What about my taxes and my parents’ taxes?
Your parents receive a tax benefit if you are considered a dependent child for tax purposes. In 2025, the maximum amount you could earn while remaining a dependent was:
- €4,100 if your parents are married or legally cohabiting
- €5,930 if you have a single parent
- €7,520 if you have a single parent with a disability
Want to know exactly how this amount is calculated? Check the KU Leuven Stuvo website.
Do I have to pay taxes as a student?
You only become liable for income tax if your net taxable income exceeds €10,910 (income year 2025). Important to know: even if you do not owe any taxes, you must always complete and submit a tax return.
Where can I find my first student job?
Ready to start working as a student? Read this article for practical tips on how to approach the search for your first student job.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I have several student jobs at the same time?
Yes, as a student, you can work for more than one employer, but the total number of hours you work across all jobs counts towards the limit. It is your responsibility to keep track of your total hours via Student@work.be, and to inform your employers about your other jobs.
What if my employer lets me work more than the maximum number of hours?
Your employer is legally required to stop employing you as a student once you reach the maximum number of hours. If this does not happen, they may face fines from the social inspection authorities and will have to pay additional social security contributions.
May I work in Belgium as an international student?
EU students have the same rights as Belgian students. Students from outside the EU need a work permit, but they can work as student employees if they meet the following conditions: they have a valid residence permit, they are enrolled at a recognised institution, and they work no more than 20 hours per week during the academic year.
How do I know if my pay has been calculated correctly?
Check your payslip for the correct hourly wage, the number of hours worked, and the social security contributions (2.71% up to the limit). Your employer must pay you at least the statutory minimum wage applicable to your age and role.
What happens if I fall ill during my student job?
As a student worker, you are entitled to sick leave, but this is unpaid unless your contract states otherwise. You must inform your employer as soon as possible. For longer periods of illness, you may be required to provide a medical certificate. Periods of illness do not count towards your hourly limit. If you have an accident at work, you are insured through your employer.