International students can work part-time in Belgium for up to 475 hours per year. The money earned from part-time work can help students cover their living expenses during their higher studies. Many universities offer part-time jobs in libraries, cafeterias, administrative departments, or student support services.

Belgium is located centrally in Europe and borders the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France. Belgium has three official languages; Dutch, French and German. Belgium is constituted of three communities and regions; the Dutch-speaking community in the Flemish region, the French-speaking community in the Walloon region, The Brussels Capital Region, and the German-speaking community in the east of Belgium. Studying in Belgium can be an expensive dream but this should not stop you from dreaming. There is plenty of Part-time job options to cover the cost of studying and living in Belgium and hence make your stay easier and more comfortable in Belgium. 

Related Read:

• Jobs in Belgium for Indians
• Cost of Studying in Belgium

Student Work Contract

Students working in part-time jobs are protected through student work contracts. It is a contract between the student and the employer, it is called the student employment agreement. This contract has a limited duration. As a student, you are protected from labour legislation with this contract. This contract determines what kind of work is allowed, breaks you are entitled to and when you may (may not) work and more.

A student work contract is very important for international students doing part-time jobs in Belgium, as it provides you with the security of your rights and obligations. Therefore, you must have a written contract with your employer for a definite period. As a student, you can enter into a student contract for a maximum of 1 year. After 1 year your student contract will become void with that employer and if you continue to work for the same employer, then it will be considered a normal labour contract. 

Working Hours Limit

If you are a student and thinking of working in Belgium while studying, there are certain legal restrictions that you should take care of. As a student in Belgium, you are entitled to 475 hours of work per year. During this time, you pay reduced social contributions to the government and get tax benefits. You can combine your 475 hours quota with 190 hours of association work but within certain legal limits.

What is 475 hours work quota?

In Belgium, a student receives a package of 475 hours each year (quota) from the government to work while studying, during this you pay less in social contributions than a standard employee and your tax contribution is reduced significantly, too. You might be wondering what if someone exceeds this limit of 475 hours per year. Well, you are still allowed to work while studying but this time the amount of your social contribution will be higher and you will be taxed like regular labour as of the 476^th hour worked. 

Am I required to pay taxes?

Just like 475 hours work limit, there is a limit on how much you can earn while studying in Belgium. You can earn up to 14,242.86 Euros per year without any tax, if you exceed this limit then you will have to file your tax return just like a regular employee and your social contribution will also increase. 

What is association work?

Association work is a specific regime for activities in the sports and socio-cultural sectors. While working in those sectors, you are not required to pay social contributions. From 2022 onwards the work hours limit per year under this regime is:

• 300 hours for the social-cultural sector
• 450 hours for the sports sector

As a student, you are allowed to combine your 475 hours per year quota of student work with association work. But there is a catch, you can only work for a maximum of 190 hours under this regime of association work.

The above-mentioned 190 hours of work come with extra limitations on a quarterly basis:

• Only 150 hours in the sports sector are allowed
• Only 100 hours in the socio-cultural sector are allowed
• If you have not already worked any hours in the first two quarters, then you can put in up to 190 hours in the third quarter for any sector of association work.

How much social security do I have to pay?

Under the student contract regime if you remain within the 475 hours per year limit, then the only social security you owe is a solidarity contribution. The solidarity contribution is 2.71% of your gross pay. Your employer also has to pay a solidarity contribution, equivalent to 5.42/5 of your gross pay.

The social security for a typical job is usually 13.07% of your gross pay. This is a generalized figure as there are a number of factors that reduce your tax obligations.

Types of Part-Time Jobs

You can directly contact the employer to find part-time work options or apply through a temp agency. The temp agency helps you to find temporary work suitable for you. There are several kinds of work that students do in Belgium to meet their financial needs. Some of the popular job options for students are:

• Babysitting: This job does not require any specific type of skill, all it needs is time. It is best suited for students.
• Restaurants: Students work at food chains and franchises as waiters/waitresses or as bar attendants. This job pays well and it is readily available as well.
• Tutor: You can give private tuition to school children. It pays well, and you choose to teach your own favourite subject.
• Cleaner: You can work as a cleaner for a cleaning agency and clean houses and offices to make some extra bucks.
• Social Media Assistant: In this job, you oversee a company’s social media initiatives to enhance its online presence.
• Library Assistant: A library assistant keeps libraries organized, and helps readers find books and resource materials for people.
• Event Planner: In this job, you coordinate all aspects of professional meetings and social gatherings, and the requirements of their clients.
• Pet sitter/Dog walker: In this job, you take care of people’s pets. You take them for a walk, look after them and take care of them. It pays well and does not require any special skill.

Remuneration

The minimum amount of remunerations in Belgium is laid down by the competent joint committee. The collective agreements concluded within these committee decides the minimum remunerations for each sector and for the various levels of qualifications and posts. If you are working in an organization/company that belongs to a sector for which the joint committee has not laid down any minimum remuneration amount, then, from 1 May 2022 the applicable minimum monthly remuneration for workers aged above 18 is 1842 Euros.

Note: If an international student is found to be working more than 20 hours per week during the school term, the Foreigners office may consider that the studies pursued are no longer the main activity. This could cause problems when trying to renew your residence permit. Besides part-time work options, scholarships are also available to help you out with your expenses for studying in Belgium. 

Part Time Work Options in Belgium FAQs

Q. What are these 475 hours in Belgium?

Q. What if someone works for more than 475 hours in a year?

Q. What is a student agreement? is it necessary?

Q. How much do I pay for social security?

Q. Do I have to pay tax?