A student job or flexi-job in a Flemish care home or hospital works in two ways: support work such as serving meals, reception, logistics and activities, or care shifts as a care assistant or nurse. Institutions mostly need help at weekends, in the school holidays and in winter. As a student those hours count towards your 650 hours a year. Care shifts need your diploma and visa or registration, and as a flexi-jobber they are possible since 1 July 2026.
A midday shift in care
A midday shift in a residential care home often runs from 11 am to 4 pm, at the weekend or in the holidays. You help with lunch, clear up and spend the afternoon over coffee with the residents. Click a moment to see what it looks like.
You report to the person in charge of the ward. You wash your hands, put on an apron and hear which residents get an adapted meal, such as minced or low-salt. Jewellery and your watch stay in your locker.
On each ward the residents eat together in a shared living room. You lay the tables, put out water and napkins and place the name cards at the usual seats. Anyone who sits down early already gets a bowl of soup.
The meals arrive from the central kitchen in a heated trolley. You plate up according to the list and take the plates to the table or to a resident's room. If someone needs help eating, a care assistant does that. You ask whether anyone wants more.
After lunch you clear the tables, load the dishwasher in the ward kitchen and sweep the living room. If you notice someone has hardly eaten anything, you tell the care team. Then the room is ready for the afternoon.
In the afternoon you help the activity coordinator. You pour coffee, cut the cake and play a round of cards or Rummikub. At 4 pm you tell the care team what you noticed and your shift is done.
Common roles: Meal server (midday and evening), Receptionist (evening and weekend), Logistics assistant (morning), Activities assistant (afternoon), Catering assistant (early morning).
You help residents or patients with washing, dressing and eating and carry out simple care tasks under the supervision of a nurse. Since 1 July 2026 you can also do this as a flexi-jobber.
Registration as a care assistantYou care for patients or residents, give medication and keep an eye on their health. If you work at least 4/5 elsewhere or are retired, you can take extra shifts as a flexi-jobber since 1 July 2026.
Nursing diploma and visaYou distribute linen, water and supplies across the wards of a care home or hospital. That leaves care assistants and nurses more time for the residents.
No care diploma neededYou serve the meals according to the diet list and bring them to the table or to the room. Afterwards you clear up and keep the ward kitchen clean.
No experience needed, but follow the hygiene rulesA care home runs every day of the year, also when the regular team is on holiday. What is in it for you as a student or flexi-jobber?
A midday or evening shift often lasts four to five hours. That makes it easy to fit around weekday classes or your regular job.
You handle meals, reception, logistics and activities. Washing, medication and nursing care stay with the care team.
Come back to the same ward for a few weekends and the residents will know your name. A chat over coffee is part of the job.
Almost every town in Flanders has a care home. So you often work within cycling distance of home or your student room.
You will not find an amount here, because wages are indexed. You will find how your hourly wage in a care home or hospital is set.
Your pay follows the institution's pay scale, in a private care home or hospital usually that of joint committee 330. In a public care home the pay scales of the local authority apply.
You get at least the wage that applies to your role in the sector, with flexi holiday pay on top. As a nurse or care assistant that is higher than for support work.
Care has supplements for work on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays or at night. Which ones you get depends on the institution and your role.
Every shift in the app shows the hourly wage, before you respond.
| Student | Flexi-jobber | |
|---|---|---|
| Who qualifies? | You are enrolled in education and at least 16, or 15 after the first two years of secondary school. | You work at least 4/5 for another employer or you are retired. |
| Hours and income | 650 hours a year at reduced contributions. | No cap on hours. Tax-free up to 18,440 euros a year, no cap if you are retired. |
| What do you pay? | A solidarity contribution of 2.71 percent. | No social security contributions. |
| Night shifts | From age 18. Minors in principle do not work between 8 pm and 6 am. | No extra restriction. |
| Care tasks | Mostly support work such as meals, reception and logistics. Care tasks only with the required registration or visa. | Since 1 July 2026 also as a nurse or care assistant, with diploma and recognition. Joint committees 330, 331 and 332 can set a maximum per employer. |
All the rules for 2026Rules checked on 7 October 2026.
Pick a shift in the app and tap apply.
The business picks you and your contract is ready.
Arrive on time and clock in through the app.
You work and break when it's allowed.
Clock out, your pay follows within days.
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