Student work rights in Belgium
Rules for working while studying in Belgium, including work limits, internships, tax steps and post-study routes where covered by the guide.
Read the complete Belgium study abroad guide.
Part-time Jobs
Third-country students who hold the relevant temporary residence status may work during official school holidays. Outside school holidays they may work up to 20 hours per week, provided the work remains compatible with their studies. This work right follows from the residence situation; a separate ordinary work permit is not required for work within those student conditions.
Keep the immigration rule separate from Belgium’s student social-security quota. The first 650 eligible student-job hours in a calendar year can benefit from reduced solidarity contributions, but that quota does not authorise a non-EU student to exceed the 20-hour-per-week term-time residence rule. Conversely, reaching 650 hours does not automatically end your right to work; it changes the social-security treatment of later eligible hours.
Track the quota through Student@work and make sure your employer uses the correct student contract and declarations.
Source: https://employment.belgium.be/en/themes/international/foreign-workers/employment-foreign-workers-special-residence-situation
Post-study Work
After completing higher studies in Belgium, an eligible third-country national can request an extension of stay for a maximum of twelve months to look for work or set up a company with the aim of moving to an employment-based residence status.
If you obtained the degree in Belgium, the Immigration Office says the application must be submitted to the local authority at least 15 days before the A card expires, together with the required evidence such as the degree and valid travel document. Sufficient means and health coverage remain part of the residence framework.
The search year is a temporary bridge, not permanent work residence by itself. Once you find qualifying employment or establish a business, move to the appropriate work/residence route and check the regional employment rules that apply.
Source: https://dofi.ibz.be/en/themes/third-country-nationals/study/search-year-after-higher-studies
Common questions
What should international students know about work in Belgium?
For eligible third-country students: up to 20 hours/week outside school holidays, unlimited during school holidays; the separate 650-hour quota only controls reduced social contributions.
What should international students know about post study in Belgium?
Third-country graduates can request a search year of up to 12 months to look for work or set up a company.