Student jobs in Brussels: rules, salary, and where to look

THE ESSENTIALS

Looking for a student job in Brussels? Good news: in 2026, you can work up to 650 hours a year with reduced social security contributions. The minimum wage depends on your age and the sector, but there are official scales. To find what you’re looking for, several platforms and organizations are there to help you.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

In Belgium, a student job is a specific employment contract for young people who are studying. Here are the important rules for 2026:

Minimum age: You can start a student job from 15 years old. If you are 15 and still subject to full-time compulsory education, you can only do “light work” (store assistant, tidying, reception, small administrative tasks, babysitting, certain horeca tasks). If you are 16 or older, these restrictions on the type of work do not apply.
Hours quota: In 2026, you can work up to 650 hours per calendar year with reduced social security contributions. Beyond these 650 hours, you can continue to work, but the additional hours will be subject to ordinary social security contributions, which will reduce your net salary.
Social security contributions: During your 650 hours, you pay a solidarity contribution of 2.71% on your gross salary, and your employer pays 5.42%. This is much less than ordinary contributions (approximately 13.07% for you and 25% for the employer).
Minimum wage: There isn’t a single wage for all student jobs. It depends on the company’s sector of activity (defined by a joint committee) and your age.
If no more favorable sectoral scale applies, the Guaranteed Average Minimum Monthly Income (RMMMG) must be respected. As of July 1, 2026, the gross RMMMG for a full-time position (38h/week) is €2,233.61 per month for those aged 21 and over.
For those under 21, the minimum wage is a percentage of this RMMMG (figures as of July 1, 2026):
21 years old: 100% (€2,233.61 gross/month, or €13.56 gross/hour)
20 years old: 90% (€2,010.25 gross/month, or €12.21 gross/hour)
19 years old: 85% (€1,898.57 gross/month, or €11.53 gross/hour)
18 years old: 79% (€1,764.55 gross/month, or €10.72 gross/hour)
17 years old: 73% (€1,630.54 gross/month, or €9.90 gross/hour)
16 years old and under: 67% (€1,496.52 gross/month, or €9.09 gross/hour)
These amounts apply if you work at least one month in the same company.
On average, the gross hourly wage for a student worker in Brussels was 14.68 euros in 2026.
Working hours:
The normal working time is an average of 38 hours per week, with a maximum of 40 hours per week.
You cannot work more than 8 hours per day.
If you are under 18, you cannot work more than 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. Night work (between 8 PM and 6 AM) is generally prohibited.
If you are 15 and still subject to full-time compulsory education: maximum 2 hours on school days and 12 hours per week during the school period; maximum 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week during holidays.
Breaks:
If you are under 18: 30 minutes break after 4h30 of work, and 1 hour break (including 30 minutes at once) if you work more than 6 hours.
If you are 18 or older: 15 minutes break after 6 hours of uninterrupted work.
You are entitled to 12 consecutive hours of rest between two working days.
An uninterrupted work period cannot be less than 3 hours, unless otherwise specified.
Contract: A written student employment contract is mandatory before starting work. It must mention the duration, salary, schedule, and job description.
Taxes: If you do not exceed a certain income amount (€22,385 gross after deduction of social security contributions in 2026, under certain conditions), you will not pay taxes. To remain fiscally dependent on your parents, there is also an income ceiling not to be exceeded (€4,200 for 2026 income).

HOW TO DO IT

Check your age and conditions: Make sure you meet the age and student status conditions (be enrolled in an educational institution, your studies must be your main activity).
Track your hours: Use the official student@work platform (or the mobile app) to check your balance of hours with reduced contributions in real time.
Look for offers:
- General job sites: Jobat.be, Indeed, Student.be.
- Temp agencies: Tempo Team, Adecco, Manpower, Randstad, Start People, Unique, Daoust, HAYS.
- Public organizations: Actiris (the Brussels Regional Employment Office) offers jobs and the JEEP service has a directory of companies that hire students.
- The City of Brussels: It hires students for various positions during school holidays.
- Recruiting sectors: Horeca, sales, logistics, events, and seasonal jobs are often good leads.
Sign a contract: Before starting, make sure you sign a written student employment contract with your employer. Carefully check the information (salary, hours, job description).
Check your payslip: A payslip is mandatory with each payment.

THE PITFALLS

Working without a contract: Never start a job without having signed a written contract. Without it, you risk not being paid, having abusive hours, or not being insured in case of a problem.
Exceeding 650 hours unknowingly: If you exceed the 650-hour quota without paying attention, your extra hours will be subject to ordinary social security contributions, which will reduce your net salary and could impact your taxes or your parents’ family allowances. Keep an eye on student@work!
Not knowing your joint committee: The minimum wage depends on your sector. Make sure you know your company’s joint committee (it must be indicated on your contract) to verify that you are being paid correctly.
Working during your compulsory school hours: Your working hours can never encroach on your compulsory school attendance hours.

WHERE TO GET INFORMATION

For official and up-to-date information, you can contact:

Student@work: The official platform to track your hours quota.
SPF Emploi, Travail et Concertation sociale: For all regulations concerning student work and minimum wages.
Infor Jeunes: They can give you personalized advice and answer your questions.
Contrôle des lois sociales: In case of a dispute with your employer or if you have doubts about compliance with the rules.

Verified sources

ucm.be
jeminforme.be
belgique.be
dynamik.be
droitsquotidiens.be
student.be

Information verified on 07/09/2026. Amounts and rules may change: always check with the official body.

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