In principle, you have to be at least 16 to start a student job. However, you can start working as from your 15th birthday if you have attended at least the first two years of high school.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"2. How much does a student job pay?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"The pay rate for your student job is based on the collective labour agreements (CAOs) of the sector you work in. Your hourly wage will be based on your age and prior experience in other student jobs.
Is there no CAO between unions and employers in your sector? In that case your wage will be based on the guaranteed average monthly minimum income.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"3. How many hours can I work as a student?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"You can work 650 hours per calendar year. As long as you stay within this limit, you will pay a reduced rate of social contributions on your income.
"}},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"If you live in Flanders or Wallonia, working less than 650 hours mean your parents will keep receiving child benefits (or the Groeipakket) as long as you are studying and under 25 years old.
Do you live in the Brussels-Capital Region? Then you must make sure that you do not work more than 240 hours per quarter. Otherwise, the child benefits will be cancelled.
In the East Cantons, this limit is 175 hours per quarter.
You can work more than 650 hours per year if you want to, but you’ll have to pay the normal rate of social contributions like a regular employee on any additional hours. In that case you’ll be employed with a regular contract rather than a student contract.
"}},{"componentType":"highlight","richBody":{"value":"
You can consult the number of hours you’ve worked and print any necessary certificates via Student@work. And you can easily check the ING Banking app to see if you’ve received your wages yet.
"},"title":"Tip:"},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"4. When do I have to pay taxes as a student?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"The amount you can earn without paying taxes depends on your personal situation and the tax thresholds in force, which are reviewed regularly.
We therefore recommend consulting the latest information available from the Belgian Federal Public Service (FPS) Finance or other official student information platforms.
Please note that tax rules may change from year to year. In general, the amount taken into account is your taxable income after deduction of the applicable social security contributions.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"5. How long can I work as a student after I graduate?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Student jobs are reserved for those who are studying, so in theory you can’t work as a student once you’ve graduated. There is one exception: if you graduate in June, you can still work under a student contract until the 30th of September of the same year.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"6. Do I have to sign an employment contract?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Yes, always sign a contract before you start working as a student. Make sure both you and the employer sign the document, and that you get your own signed copy. The contract details how long you will be working with this employer, how much you get paid, and what the job entails.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"7. Do I get paid leave and public holidays as a student?"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Leave and holiday pay are reserved for employees who pay regular social contributions. Since you pay social contributions at a reduced rate during your first 650 hours of work as a student, you miss out on these benefits.
Things might be different for public holidays like the national day, Easter and Christmas, which you may be entitled to, even if they are after the end of your contract. You can find more information on the Student@work website.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"This is your time to shine"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Between 18 and 25 years old? Open an ING GO pack 18-25 for free.
"}}]},"hasMacro":false,"id":"629481f9-0b62-4f37-b98d-dc2fca324add","legalZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"The ING Go is a pack that contains an ING Go Account. The ING Go Account is a current account denominated in euro (any amount credited in a foreign currency to an ING Go will be automatically converted into euros). It can be opened by any adult private individual who is legally capable when the account is opened and has an e-mail address, with a maximum of two ING Go per person. It can be applied for directly online via www.ing.be, by using the ING Home’Bank services or the ING Banking app, and is reserved solely for individuals residing in Belgium at the time of application. There is a maximum of two authorised account holders per ING Go and no mandate holders allowed (the addition of a second account holder incurs a charge). Where there are 2 holders, they are considered equally indivisible.
Fees are subject to change with prior notification.
Any opening of an ING Go is subject to prior acceptance by ING Belgium SA/NV and mutual agreement. Terms and conditions of the ING Go (regulations, rates, Fee Information Document and additional information) are available at all ING branches, at ing.be or by phone on +32 2 464 60 04
Read the following legal documents for more detailed terms & conditions:
Home'Bank, Business'Bank and the ING Banking app are available to all Home'Bank, Business'Bank or ING Banking subscription holders (subject to acceptance by ING and mutual agreement). All relevant information, such as the Home'Bank, Business'Bank, (annexed to ING’s General Regulations), the General Terms and Conditions of the ING Banking app, transaction fees, is available on www.ing.be , at your ING branch and by telephone on 02 464 60 04.
ING Belgium NV/SA – Bank/Lender – Marnixlaan/Avenue Marnix 24, B-1000 Brussels – RLP Brussels – VAT: BE 0403.200.393 - BIC: BBRUBEBB – IBAN: BE45 3109 1560 2789 – www.ing.be – Contact us via ing.be/contact – Insurance broker, registered with the FSMA under the number 0403.200.393. - Publisher responsible: Cédric Lebegge - Marnixlaan/Avenue Marnix 24, B-1000 Brussels – Z730072E – 05/26
"}}]},"localeString":"en-GB","mainHeaderZone":{"backLink":{"textLink":{"text":"Studies and work","url":"/en/individuals/my-life/studies-and-work"}},"componentType":"editorialHeader","coreHeader":{"body":"A student job also involves some rights and obligations, though. But don’t worry: we’ve listed the most important things to consider for you, from your pay cheque to how many hours you can work.","subtitle":"Starting a student job soon? Good for you! It’s the perfect way to earn some pocket money, which you can spend on the things you love.","title":"Working as a student: 7 common questions"},"date":"2023-11-06","readingTime":4},"publishDate":"2026-10-08T13:51:35.900+02:00"}}