Who is eligible?
You may only work as a student worker after completing compulsory full-time education. In most cases, young people can already start working from the age of 15. Your compulsory full-time education then ends when you are 15 and have completed at least 2 years of secondary education. If this is not the case, your compulsory full-time education ends when you turn 16.
From the age of 15 or 16, you can therefore work as a student worker under a contract for 'student employment'. However, one condition is that you follow full-time or part-time education during your student job.
Exceptions
There are some situations in which you cannot work as a student worker. As a student, you cannot be employed under an ‘agreement for student employment’ if you:
Have already been working for the same employer for more than 12 months
Are enrolled in evening school
Carry out unpaid work as part of an internship that is included in your study programme.
Young people who combine learning and working can therefore work under a student agreement. This is also permitted with the employer where the 'internship agreement' (dual learning programme) is in place.
The wage you receive depends on your position, your age and the sector (or company) in which you work.
Contract and wages
As a student worker, you must always have a contract. Below, find out which elements the contract must contain at a minimum and how the probationary period is regulated. Mandatory elements of your student worker contract include: your name and personal details and those of your employer, the start and end dates of your employment, the location or job description, and so on. The wage you receive depends on your position, your age and the sector (or company) in which you work.
Lower social security contributions
Every student may work a maximum of 650 hours as a student worker. The social security contribution is lower for these hours. The solidarity contribution is 8.12%. Of this, the student pays 2.71% and the employer pays 5.42%.
Conditions:
You work under an employment contract for students (student contract)
Your employment as a student is limited to 650 hours per calendar year
Your employment as a student is only permitted if you do not work during periods when you are required to be present at school, university or an educational institution.
Do I have to pay taxes?
Whether you have to pay taxes depends on how much you earn. If your income remains below a certain amount, you do not have to pay tax on it. However, you must complete your tax return yourself.
The maximum income you may have without having to pay taxes on it changes every year.
Foreign students
Students from countries belonging to the European Union or from Switzerland have the same rights and obligations as students studying in Belgium, even if they do not live here.