Starting a Student Job in 2026: 10 Tips Every Student in Flanders Should Know

Your first student job in Flanders: exciting, but also a little overwhelming. What does that contract say? How many hours are you allowed to work? And what exactly is that solidarity contribution on your payslip? They don't teach you this at school, and your parents don't always remember it either. Here are 10 things you'll want to know before you start your 2026 student job.

1. You have the right to a written contract - read it

This sounds obvious, but many students simply start on the basis of a verbal agreement. That is not legally allowed. A student employment contract must always be in writing, and you must have signed the contract before your first working day.

What must at least be included when you sign a student job contract?

• The identity of you and your employer
• The start date and end date (or the duration of the contract)
• The working hours per week or per day
• Your role and set of tasks
• Your gross hourly wage
• The notice period in case of early termination

Not offered a written contract? Then ask for one yourself. Any serious employer will consider that normal. If someone refuses to draw up a contract, that is an immediate red flag. As a student you have the right to this document and you are legally protected, but the employer who does not draw up a contract risks heavy fines from the Social Inspection.

Also actually read the contract before you sign. Pay attention to the hourly wages, the working hours and whether there is a trial period in it. When in doubt, you can always ask for a day to read it at home.

2. Those 650 hours are more precious than you think

As a student in Belgium, in 2026 you may work a maximum of 650 hours per year at a favourable rate. That is the 650-hour student work quota. As long as you stay below that limit, you pay only a 2.71% solidarity contribution instead of the normal 13.07% employee contribution.

That sounds like a lot. But do the maths: if you work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 8 weeks during the summer, you are already at 320 hours. Add two weeks of the Christmas holidays, a few weekends in spring, and before you know it you are already at 500 or 600 hours. Your quota is used up before your summer job in Flanders 2026 has even really started.

How do you keep track of your hours? Via studentwork.be you can always check your remaining balance. Every employer is required to register your hours via Dimona. Check this regularly, because mistakes do happen.

What if you go over 650 hours? Then on the extra hours you simply pay the normal social security contributions (13.07%), and those hours count towards your taxable income. That is not disastrous, but it noticeably lowers your net wage. So spread your hours wisely across the year, especially if you have several employers.

3. Your first payslip is confusing - here is what you need to know

Your first payslip as a student looks complicated. There are all sorts of abbreviations on it and the amount in your account never matches exactly what you had calculated. Here is the translation:

Term	What it means
Gross wage	Your hourly wage x number of hours worked, including any premiums
Solidarity contribution (2.71%)	Your share of the social security contributions as a student (instead of 13.07%)
Withholding tax	Advance on personal income tax, withheld by your employer
Net wage	What you actually receive in your account

The solidarity contribution of 2.71% is the favourable rate for students working within their 650-hour quota. Do not confuse this: the employer themselves also pays a 5.42% employer solidarity contribution on top of your gross wage.

The withholding tax is a bit more complex. For students it is often zero or very low, because your annual income is too small to pay taxes on. But if you work a lot and have a reasonable wage, something may still be withheld. You then get that back via your tax return the following year.

Is something not right on your payslip? Ask about it right away. You have the right to a correct settlement and your employer is required to provide a payslip.

4. You are allowed to say "no" to a shift

This is something many students do not know, or do not dare to put into practice: you are not a slave to your work schedule. Especially if you have a zero-hours agreement or an on-call contract, you may in principle refuse a shift when there is no obligation to work it.

Look carefully at what your contract says. If a fixed schedule has been agreed, you obviously have the obligation to turn up. But with on-call contracts and variable schedules, there is a notice period within which you must be called in. If you are phoned on Sunday to come and work on Monday, you may refuse this without consequences if the contractually provided period was not respected.

Students often do not know their rights and therefore, out of fear, go along with situations that really are not necessary. Get to know your rights. The frequently asked questions on AnyShift give you a good starting point, and for specific situations you can turn to the trade union or the CLB.

If you cancel a shift, do so as soon as possible and always in writing (text message or email). That way you have a stronger position if there is any discussion about it later.

5. Not every employer plays fair

The vast majority of employers do things properly. But there are exceptions, and as a student just starting out you are a vulnerable target group. Learn to recognise the red flags:

• No written contract before the start: legally required, always
• Payment under the table: tempting, but you build up no rights and you yourself also risk problems with your tax return
• No Dimona declaration: employers must register you in the system before your first working hour. Without Dimona you are not insured in the event of a workplace accident
• Wage lower than the minimum wage in the sector: every joint committee has a minimum wage. That also applies to students
• No payslip: employers are required to provide a payslip with every payment
• Pressure to work without a break: on a working day of more than six hours you are entitled to at least 15 minutes' break

Notice that something is not right? You can turn to the Social Inspection or to a trade union. You do not have to mention your name when you file a complaint. Avoiding undeclared work is not only legally required, it is also in your own interest: without an official contract you are not insured and you build up nothing.

6. You earn more than you think (if you choose smartly)

Not all student jobs are equal in terms of wages. There are big differences between sectors, but also premiums that can considerably raise your hourly wage. Students who work in hospitality or at events generally earn more per hour than students in retail or the supermarket, even if the contract may contain fewer hours.

Why? Because there are statutory premiums for:

• Evening work (after 8pm or 9pm, depending on the sector): typically a 20% to 50% premium
• Weekend work (Saturday and/or Sunday): a premium that varies per joint committee
• Public holiday work: statutory right to a 100% premium on top of your normal wage
• Night work (after 10pm): higher premiums, but note that as a minor you have limited night-hours rules

Do not just compare the hourly wage, but work out what you actually take home net per shift. A supermarket job of 10 hours on weekdays at €12/hr brings in less than an event job of 8 hours on Saturday evening at €14/hr plus a 35% weekend premium.

On AnyShift student jobs you'll find an overview of available student jobs in Flanders, including sector and pay. That way you can compare and choose in a targeted way what works best for you.

7. Book summer jobs in February, not in June

Every year this is a pain point again: students who wake up in June and find that the nicest summer jobs have long been taken. The reality of starting a 2026 student job is that popular employers begin recruiting much earlier.

Large events, popular hospitality venues, amusement parks, campsites and tourist attractions in Flanders have usually already recruited their summer students in February or March. Those who start looking in April still find jobs, but have less choice over the location, the hours or the type of work.

How do you go about it smartly?

• Make a list as early as January of employers where you really want to work and get in touch
• Sign up on platforms such as AnyShift and enter your availability as soon as you know it
• Drop by local hospitality venues in your neighbourhood for your first student job in Flanders: many small businesses recruit through personal contact
• Set up a job alert so you are automatically notified

Too late for the summer jobs? Don't give up. Many employers are still looking for emergency solutions for drop-outs in May and June too. And for shorter summer jobs in Flanders 2026 with flexible dates, platforms like AnyShift are very practical: you choose yourself which shifts you take on.

8. Your parents' tax return: something to keep in mind

This is an aspect of working as a student in Belgium that many young people completely miss, until they receive a letter from the tax authorities with unpleasant consequences for their parents.

As a student you are considered a dependant of your parents for tax purposes if your net income stays below a certain limit. In 2026 that limit is €7,290 net per year (indexed amount, for students who do not live with a disabled parent). If you earn more than that net, you are no longer considered a dependant.

What are the consequences if you earn too much?

• Your parents lose the tax benefit they have as long as you are a dependant. That benefit can amount to several hundred euros less in taxes per year for them
• Your parents may also lose their child benefit if you earn too much (depending on your age and study situation)
• For students with certain grants, a high income can also affect the calculation of the study allowance

How do you calculate this? The limit of €7,290 is a net amount. From your gross wage you subtract the solidarity contribution, and after that a flat-rate deduction can still be applied. In practice, as a student you can earn a bit more gross than €7,290 without going over the limit. But calculate it carefully, or ask your parents or a tax office for help. It is certainly worth keeping a close eye on this if you work intensively.

9. A student job is also networking

A student job is not just about earning money. It is also your first real work experience, and that counts for more than many students realise. Companies that hire students keep an eye on who performs well and who works in a professional way. They are happy to come across those people again.

What can you do to use your student job strategically?

• Put every serious job on your LinkedIn profile, even if it was only a two-month summer job. Employers want to see that you have work experience
• Ask for a reference if you had a good relationship with your manager. A letter of recommendation or a LinkedIn recommendation is worth gold later on
• Get to know the sector. A student job in hospitality, retail or events gives you insight into how a company works, how you deal with customers, and how you perform under pressure
• Be reliable. Be on time, take your work seriously, and communicate clearly. In many sectors everyone knows everyone, and your reputation as a student follows you
• See if there is an opportunity to grow. Some employers take on former students as permanent staff or as a flexi-jobber once you graduate

Your first student job is also simply a good chance to discover which sectors suit you and which absolutely do not. Better to find that out now than after your first permanent job.

10. There are apps that make it easier

Applying yourself to dozens of employers, sending your CV each time, waiting for a response, calling back, and then hoping the timing works out with your exam schedule: that is how it used to go. Nowadays there are better ways to land your first student job in Flanders.

Platforms such as AnyShift work differently from a classic job channel. You create a profile, enter your availability, and employers can contact you for shifts that fit your schedule. No sending CVs to vacancies that have long been filled, no endless waiting for a response.

What makes a platform like AnyShift interesting for students?

• Flexibility: you work when it suits you, not when the employer decides
• Overview: all available shifts in one place, with pay and location visible
• Less admin: contracts, Dimona declaration and settlements are handled via the platform
• Locations throughout Flanders: via the flexi-job and student job locations on AnyShift you find employers near you
• Reviews: employers and students rate each other, which provides more transparency

For students who are working for the first time, such a platform is especially handy: you don't need to know how things work in the sector, you don't need to write a CV that says nothing about you, and you can start small with a shift or two to see how you like it.

Want to know more about how AnyShift works for students? Take a look at the Shifters overview on the website.

Frequently asked questions

How many hours may I work as a student in 2026?
In 2026 you may work 650 hours per year as a student at the favourable solidarity contribution of 2.71%. If you work more than 650 hours, you pay normal social security contributions (13.07%) on the extra hours. Your hours are tracked on studentwork.be and via your employer's Dimona declaration.

Must a student job always be set out in writing?
Yes, a student employment contract must always be in writing and signed before you start. The contract must at least contain: the identity of both parties, the start date, the end date or duration, the working hours, the job description and the wage. Without a written contract you are legally protected, but the employer risks fines.

What is the solidarity contribution for a student job?
On a student wage you, as a student, pay a 2.71% solidarity contribution instead of the normal 13.07% RSZ. The employer pays a 5.42% employer contribution. This favourable rate applies to the first 650 hours per year. You also pay withholding tax if you earn enough, but for students it is often low or zero.

How much do I earn net as a student?
That depends on your gross hourly wage and the sector. From your gross wage, 2.71% solidarity contribution is deducted. After that, withholding tax can be withheld, but for students with a low income it is often zero or very limited. In hospitality and at events you often earn more thanks to evening and weekend premiums on top of your basic hourly wage.

When should I start looking for a summer job in Flanders?
As early as possible, and certainly not in June. Popular summer jobs in Flanders (hospitality, events, retail) are largely filled by February and March. Those who start looking in April or May still find jobs, but have less choice. Via AnyShift you can enter your availability as soon as you know when you are free and thus be matched quickly with employers looking for students.

More questions? Then check the blogs on AnyShift for detailed information about student jobs, regulations and practical tips.

In summary: what do you take away?

Your first student job in Flanders doesn't have to be complicated if you know what your rights are and what to expect. The most important lessons:

• Always demand a written contract before you start
• Keep track of your 650-hour quota via studentwork.be
• Understand your payslip: 2.71% solidarity contribution, withholding tax, and the difference between gross and net
• Know your rights: you may say no, you may take a break, you are entitled to a minimum wage
• Recognise red flags with employers who do not take the rules so seriously
• Choose smartly: hospitality and events often offer higher hourly wages thanks to premiums
• Look for a summer job early, especially for popular locations and sectors
• Keep an eye on the limit of €7,290 net if you want to remain a tax dependant of your parents
• Use your student job to build up work experience and contacts
• Use platforms like AnyShift to land jobs more easily and more flexibly