Hiring a flexi-job worker: what employers must arrange
How to hire a flexi-job worker? First check whether your sector allows flexi-jobs and whether your candidate meets the conditions: a main employment of at least 4/5 with another employer, or being retired. Then sign a flexi-job employment contract and transfer the wage data afterwards via Flexi at work. According to the RSZ, as an employer you only pay an employer contribution of 28% for a flexi-job worker.
How to hire a flexi-job worker: the five steps
Hiring a flexi-job worker is not a complicated process, but the order matters. This is the step-by-step plan:
- Step 1: check your sector. Since 1 July 2026, the system is in principle open to the entire private and public sector. A few sectors are excluded (see below).
- Step 2: check your candidate's conditions. In the reference quarter, the flexi-job worker must have worked at least 4/5 of a full-time job for one or more other employers. Or the candidate is retired.
- Step 3: find your candidate. You can do this through your own network or through a platform.
- Step 4: sign a flexi-job employment contract. This is the contract that applies to flexi-jobs. For questions about the framework agreement, the flexi-job agreement and pay, you can contact FPS Employment (FOD WASO).
- Step 5: report the employment and transfer the wage data. You report the employment via Dimona at the RSZ. You transfer the wage data of your flexi-job workers via the online service Flexi at work.
Who can you hire? Flexi-job worker, student or side-income earner
The term "side-income earner" covers several profiles. For you as an employer, the distinction is important, because each profile has a different contract and a different cost.
- Flexi-job worker: someone who does an additional job alongside a main employment with another employer (at least 4/5), or a retired person.
- Student worker: works with a student agreement and has an hours quota. A student generally cannot do a flexi-job.
Want to see the difference in detail? Take a look at our pages on flexi-jobs and student jobs.
Can your sector use flexi-jobs?
This is the first risk check, and it only takes a few minutes. From 1 July 2026, flexi-jobs are not allowed in these sectors:
- domestic work (domestic staff)
- funeral directors, with an exception for blue-collar workers doing work as occasional workers
- agriculture
- horticulture, except for the construction and maintenance of parks and gardens
- sea fishing, with exceptions for shore staff and warehouse staff
In addition, the law excludes artistic, artistic-technical and artistic-supporting functions, as well as the employment covered by the law of 3 May 2024. Sectors can request an opt-out: every quarter in 2026, every year from 2027. If you are unsure about your joint committee or employer category, check with the RSZ.
What does a flexi-job cost? Calculate the rate in advance
Calculate your cost in advance so you don't get any surprises. For a flexi-job, it consists of two parts: the flexi wage and the employer contribution of 28% that you pay on top as an employer (source: RSZ).
- The flexi hourly wage may currently not exceed 22.61 euros per hour, including flexi holiday pay.
- In the hospitality sector, the flexi wage may not be lower than 12.78 euros per hour.
- The minimum wage in other sectors depends on the collective labour agreement of your joint committee. So look it up before you set an hourly wage.
There is also a tax advantage for your flexi-job worker. Flexi income is tax-free up to 18,440 euros per year (income year 2026). Anyone who earns more is taxed on the excess. This ceiling does not apply to retired persons.
How does hiring via a platform work?
If you don't only look within your own network, a platform is the fastest route to candidates. The process usually goes as follows:
- You register your company. You do this via the page for companies.
- You describe what you are looking for: the tasks, the day and time, the location and the hourly wage.
- Candidates, the shifters, show interest and you choose who you want to deploy.
- You arrange the right contract and the declarations, as described below.
The platform brings supply and demand together. The legal obligations as an employer remain the same. You can read more about where to find candidates on the page with locations for flexi-jobs and student jobs.
Registering your own side-income earners?
Yes, you can deploy people you already know: a former student, a retired neighbour or someone from your network. Point them to the page for shifters so they can sign up. Do first check the status of each person:
- For a flexi-job, someone must have worked at least 4/5 of a full-time job for one or more other employers in the reference quarter, or be retired. Your own employees with their main job at your company therefore do not meet that condition for a flexi-job with you.
- For a student, you work with a student agreement and take the hours quota into account.
The reference quarter is the third quarter before the start of the flexi-job (T-3). If the flexi-job starts in July 2026, you look at October, November and December 2025.
Hiring a student worker: this is different from a flexi-job
If you are looking for temporary help and haven't found a flexi-job worker, a student worker can be a good solution. The rules do differ, though:
- You sign a student agreement. This remains the case after the 650 hours.
- The hours quota is 650 hours per year and counts from 1 January.
- Within those hours, the student pays a solidarity contribution of 2.71% instead of 13.07%. As an employer, you pay a solidarity contribution of 5.42% on the gross wage.
- For every hour above 650 hours, the normal social contributions apply.
- In the hospitality sector, a student can, in consultation with you, choose between the 650 hours and 50 days of occasional work.
So it is not the case that a student can do flexi-jobs. If you choose a student, take a look at the offer of student jobs.
Practical: contract and Dimona
A flexi-job worker has a flexi-job employment contract. The normal rules of employment law apply to that employee, with a few deviations from the law of 16 November 2015. For questions about the contract and pay, you can contact FPS Employment. For questions about withholding tax and taxes, FPS Finance is responsible.
This is what you arrange in practice:
- Dimona: the declaration of employment at the RSZ. Check the exact details and timing on the RSZ website.
- Flexi at work: the mandatory flexi data transfer. You transfer the wage data of your flexi-job workers to the flexi wage counter on mycareer.be.
- Quarterly declaration: the one for the first quarter must be submitted by 30 April at the latest.
- Codes: employee code 050 for blue-collar workers and 450 for white-collar workers. You use remuneration code 22 for the flexi wage, and code 23 for bonuses and benefits that are not directly related to the work performed in the quarter.
Five tips for hiring a flexi-job worker well
- Do a risk check first. Check your sector, employer category and your candidate's conditions before you agree anything.
- Know the market. Look up the minimum wage of your joint committee and stay below the maximum flexi hourly wage.
- Calculate your total cost. Add up the wage and the employer contribution before you agree on a rate.
- Describe the job clearly. State the tasks, day and time, location and hourly wage, so there is no discussion afterwards.
- Make sure people come back. A clear agreement, timely payment and a good welcome make a flexi-job worker or student choose your company again.
Frequently asked questions about hiring a flexi-job worker
Can I hire a student worker as a flexi-job worker?
Generally not. A flexi-job requires a main employment of at least 4/5 with another employer or a pension. For students, you use the student agreement.
What do I pay as an employer for a flexi-job worker?
According to the RSZ, only an employer contribution of 28% on the flexi wage.
Does my flexi-job worker pay taxes?
Flexi income is tax-free up to 18,440 euros per year (income year 2026). If someone earns more, the excess is taxed. For retired persons, that ceiling does not apply.
May I deploy flexi-job workers in my sector?
Yes, unless you are active in domestic work, the funeral sector, agriculture, horticulture or sea fishing. Exceptions apply to some parts, and sectors can request an opt-out.
What do I do after hiring?
Report the employment via Dimona and transfer the wage data via Flexi at work.
In summary
You hire a flexi-job worker in five steps: check your sector, verify your candidate's conditions, find a candidate, sign a flexi-job employment contract and arrange the declarations. If you prefer a student, you work with a student agreement and an hours quota. Want to get started? Take a look at the offer of flexi-jobs and student jobs, discover the locations, get to know the shifters and register as a company. You can read more practical explanations on our blog.
