Work While You Study

Student Jobs in Belgium: The Rules for 2026-27

With a student A card (residence card) you may work up to 20 hours a week while classes run. The 20-hour limit does not apply in school holidays. Your studies come first.

Work Regulations for International Students

Legal Right to Work

Your A card says you may work only a limited amount. You may work up to 20 hours a week while classes run, as long as it fits your studies. The limit does not apply in school holidays.

Students from India and Pakistan (outside the EEA)

Up to 20 hours a week while classes run.
No hour limit in school holidays.
To use Student@work, visit the NSSO in person. Take your passport, proof that you study, and your residence card.

After graduation

Ask for a search year (up to 12 months to look for a job).
Ask at your town hall (the local city office) at least 15 days before your A card ends.
You may work any hours during that year.

Special Cases

Studies first

Do not work during classes or other university activities. Work must fit around your studies.

Popular Job Opportunities for Students

The kind of job you can do depends on the time of year.

Jobs while classes run

Up to 20 hours a week.
The work must fit around your studies.

School holiday jobs

The 20-hour limit does not apply in school holidays.

After your degree

After you finish, you may stay up to 12 months to look for a job, and work any hours.

Student Job Contracts

Belgium has a student job contract. Your boss pays lower social security fees (money paid to the state for things like health care and pensions) for you.

650 hours at lower fees

In Flanders (the Dutch-speaking north), you get 650 hours a year at lower social security fees.
Hours after that cost your boss the normal fees. The 20-hour weekly limit still applies while classes run.

Rules by region

Flanders: 650 hours, plus up to 80 more hours a month at normal fees.
Brussels: up to 240 hours every three months. Not in July, August and September if you go on with your studies.
Wallonia (the French-speaking south): 650 hours, plus 240 hours every three months at normal fees.

How to Find Student Jobs in Belgium

Start with Student@work.

Online Job Portals

Student@work

Student@work is a website that counts your 650 hours. Students from outside the EEA (the European Economic Area: the EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) must first visit the National Social Security Office (NSSO) in person.

University Resources