Hospitality staff shortage 2026: flexi-jobs as the solution

The staff shortage in the Flemish hospitality sector has never been this severe. Restaurants have to close their doors on weekdays, cafes cannot fill all their shifts and catering companies turn down events simply because there are too few people. The figures do not lie: hospitality vacancies remain open for an average of 187 days before someone is found. One in three restaurants in Antwerp had to close at least one day a week in 2024 due to staff shortages.

But there is a solution that more and more hospitality businesses are discovering: flexi-jobs. With the new rules from April 2026, this system becomes even more attractive, both for employers and for people who want to earn flexible extra income. In this blog we explain why flexi-jobs are the perfect match for hospitality and how, as an operator, you can find staff quickly and efficiently for those busy weekends, public holidays and events.

Why is the hospitality sector facing such a major staff shortage?

The staff shortage in the Flemish hospitality sector is structural and has existed for years, but since the pandemic the situation has only got worse. According to recent figures from the VDAB, there are currently 174,000 vacancies open across Flanders, the largest shortage in 15 years. Hospitality is the hardest hit.

The main causes

Too little inflow of young talent: Due to an ageing population, fewer young people are entering the labour market. By 2027, more people will be leaving the labour market (baby boomers retiring) than there are new entrants joining. This means there are simply too few people available for all the open jobs.

Irregular working hours: Many potential employees drop out because hospitality often requires working weekends, evenings and public holidays. That does not suit everyone who is looking for a permanent contract with predictable working hours.

Seasonal peaks: Hospitality does not need a constant headcount. Think of busy periods such as summer, end-of-year celebrations, Valentine's Day, the wedding season or large events. It is not very profitable to take on permanent staff for those peak moments who have little to do the rest of the year.

Traditional recruitment takes too long: Through classic channels such as temping agencies or job sites, it can take weeks to months before you find someone. For a busy weekend or a spontaneous reservation, that is too late.

These challenges mean that hospitality operators have to look for more flexible solutions. And that is where flexi-jobs come into play.

What are flexi-jobs and why are they perfect for hospitality?

A flexi-job is an additional job in which you work flexibly and irregularly alongside your main employment. The big advantage? As a flexi-jobber you pay no taxes or social contributions on your wage, up to a ceiling of 18,000 euros per year (from April 2026). What you earn is what you get. Gross = net.

Why flexi-jobs are ideal for hospitality

Flexibility: You only call in staff when you really need them. No permanent contracts where you have to pay people during quiet periods. Ideal for seasonal work, weekend rushes or events.

Speed: Through platforms such as AnyShift you find someone for a shift within a few hours. That is a world of difference compared to traditional recruitment, which can take weeks or months.

Quality: Flexi-jobbers who work through apps often already have experience in hospitality and build up a score. So you immediately know whether someone is reliable and delivers good work. Poor shifters disappear from the system on their own.

Cost efficiency: Although as an employer you pay an ONSS contribution of 28% (in 2025), you save on other costs such as holiday pay for unworked periods, and you only pay for the hours that are actually worked.

Motivation: People who choose flexi-jobs do so deliberately. They want to work flexibly, are often motivated and do not drop out quickly because they choose their own shifts.

Hospitality was, by the way, one of the first sectors where flexi-jobs were allowed, and that is no coincidence. In December 2019, 19% of employment in hospitality was already filled by flexi-jobbers, compared with just 4% in other sectors. This system has therefore proven successful for hospitality.

New flexi-job rules 2026: what is changing?

From 1 April 2026, flexi-jobs become even more attractive thanks to a number of important changes. These changes make the system more accessible for both employees and employers.

Higher ceiling: from 12,000 to 18,000 euros

The biggest news is that the tax-free ceiling rises from 12,000 euros to 18,000 euros per year. This means that flexi-jobbers can earn up to 1,500 euros net per month in extra income without paying taxes. For hospitality operators, this means you gain access to a larger pool of interested people, because it becomes financially even more attractive to take on flexi-jobs.

Higher maximum hourly wage: up to 21 euros

The maximum hourly wage for a flexi-job rises from 18 euros to 21 euros per hour. In practice this means that, as a hospitality operator, you can count on a minimum of 12.53 euros per hour (including holiday pay), but that for specialised roles such as chefs, baristas or event managers you can now also pay higher wages within the flexi-job system.

Flexi-jobbers get the same benefits

From 2026, flexi-jobbers are entitled to the same allowances and bonuses as permanent staff. Think of meal vouchers, end-of-year premiums or other supplementary benefits that you offer in your business. This increases the appeal of flexi-jobs in hospitality and creates a level playing field between permanent and flexible staff.

Expansion to almost all sectors (via opt-out)

Although hospitality has had access to flexi-jobs for years, from April 2026 they are being extended to almost all sectors. This happens via a so-called opt-out mechanism: every sector can allow flexi-jobs unless unions and employers jointly decide to keep the door closed. For hospitality nothing changes, but it does mean that competition for flexi-jobbers increases. All the more reason, then, as a hospitality business, to offer attractive shifts.

Want to know more about all the rules? Check the frequently asked questions about flexi-jobs.

Practical tips: how do you find flexi-jobbers for your hospitality business?

Now that you know why flexi-jobs are the perfect solution, the question is: how do you quickly and efficiently find the right people? Here are some concrete tips.

1. Use a flexible work platform such as AnyShift

The fastest way to find flexi-jobbers is through a specialised platform. With AnyShift you post a shift in a few minutes and receive responses within the hour from available shifters in your region. The platform works with a scoring system, so you immediately see whether someone is reliable and has good reviews.

Benefits of such a platform:

- No lengthy recruitment processes

- Direct contact with available shifters

- Quality control through reviews and scores

- Easy management of your staff planning

- Invoice handling is taken care of

2. Plan your busy moments ahead

Do not wait until it is too late. You already know when you are going to be busy: Friday and Saturday evenings, public holidays, the wedding season, the end of the year, the summer holidays. Post your shifts a few days or a week in advance, so that shifters can free up their schedule. Shifts posted at the last minute are harder to fill.

3. Offer attractive conditions

Flexi-jobbers can choose from various shifts. Make sure yours stands out:

- Pay a fair hourly wage (preferably above the minimum of 12.53 euros)

- Ensure a good working atmosphere and clear instructions

- Offer meals or drinks during the shift

- Give shifters the chance to grow (for example from kitchen assistant to chef)

- Be flexible: if someone works well, invite him or her for future shifts

4. Build a regular pool of flexi-jobbers

If you find shifters who perform well, invite them regularly. That way you build up a group of regular flexible workers who know your business, know how it works and where everything is. That saves onboarding time and increases the quality of service.

5. Communicate clearly

Be clear in your shift assignment: what are the tasks, what time does someone need to be present, what is the dress code, are specific skills required? The clearer you are, the fewer surprises there are and the more smoothly the collaboration runs.

Want to know more about how it works? Take a look at all the flexi-job locations where AnyShift is active.

Why flexi-jobs are also ideal for employees

The success of flexi-jobs stands or falls with the question: do people actually want to do this work? The answer is a resounding yes, and for the following reasons.

Flexibility is king

People these days want to determine their own work schedule. A flexi-job gives that freedom. Do you work Monday to Friday in an office job? Then you can earn extra at the weekend in hospitality. Are you retired but want to stay active? Perfect, choose the shifts that suit you. Are you between two jobs? Flexi-jobs fill that period without you being tied down to a long-term contract.

Gross = net: extra attractive

Because flexi-jobs are tax-advantaged (no taxes up to 18,000 euros per year), you earn more than with an ordinary side job. If you get 15 euros per hour, you also effectively receive 15 euros in your account. That makes it financially very attractive to earn extra income.

Gaining experience in different businesses

For anyone considering starting their own hospitality business later, or simply wanting to discover what suits them, flexi-jobs are ideal. You can work in various restaurants, cafes, catering companies and hotels. That way you build a broad network and learn what works and what does not.

Extra income without obligations

Unlike with a permanent contract, you are not tied to anything. Do you have a busy week with exams or personal matters? Then you take no shifts that week. Do you want to earn a bit extra for a trip or a big purchase? Then you work a little more. That freedom appeals to many people.

Ideal for students

Although students can also work via the student contract (Student@work), a flexi-job offers an alternative once you have used up your student hours or if you want to earn more temporarily without neglecting your studies. You can find more information about student jobs on the student jobs page of AnyShift.

Coping with seasonal peaks: the power of flexible work

One of the biggest challenges in hospitality is that the busyness is not evenly distributed. During certain periods you are run off your feet, while at other times it is quiet. Flexi-jobs are the perfect solution for this.

Weekends and evening shifts

Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest moments for most hospitality businesses. With flexi-jobbers you can deploy extra staff specifically for those evenings, without having to pay them on quiet weekdays.

Public holidays and special occasions

Think of Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Christmas, New Year, weddings or communion celebrations. These are moments when you suddenly need a lot more staff. Through AnyShift you can quickly find extra hands who come to work specifically for that occasion.

Summer period and holiday work

In summer many permanent employees are on holiday, but that is precisely when it is extra busy with tourists and terraces. Students and other flexi-jobbers fill that gap perfectly. Seasonal businesses such as beach bars, festival catering or summer terraces also run entirely on flexible staff.

Events and catering

Are you organising a large event, festival or company party? Then you temporarily need a lot of extra staff: from bar staff to waiters, kitchen assistants to dishwashing help. With flexi-jobs you scale up and down quickly according to demand.

This flexibility ensures that you always have the right amount of staff, without incurring too many fixed costs or having to lay people off when things get quieter.

Conclusion: flexi-jobs are the future of hospitality staffing

The staff shortage in the Flemish hospitality sector is a persistent problem that will not disappear quickly. But flexi-jobs offer a concrete, proven solution that fits today's reality: flexible, efficient and attractive for both parties.

With the new rules from April 2026, the system only gets stronger: a higher tax-free ceiling of 18,000 euros, a maximum hourly wage of 21 euros and equal benefits for flexi-jobbers. This makes flexi-jobs not just a stopgap, but a strategic choice for hospitality businesses that want to grow without getting financially stuck.

Whether you run a small cafe, manage a busy restaurant or lead a catering company: flexi-jobs give you the flexibility to respond quickly to busyness, seasonal peaks and unexpected situations. And with platforms such as AnyShift it has never been so easy to find the right people within a few hours.

The labour market is changing, and by 2027 more than 35% of all jobs in hospitality, retail and logistics will be filled through flexible work. The question is no longer whether you are going to use flexi-jobs, but when you will start.

Take a look at our other blogs about flexible work and staffing solutions for more tips and insights.

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Do you want to work flexibly in hospitality yourself?

Are you looking for a weekend job, do you want to earn extra alongside your permanent job, or are you looking for flexible work as a student or pensioner? Then download the free AnyShift app and discover hundreds of hospitality shifts near you.

Download the app:

- App Store (iPhone)

- Google Play Store (Android)

Choose for yourself when you work, earn gross = net up to 18,000 euros per year, and build experience in hospitality without obligations. That is how flexible work works today.