How to Find a Student Job in Belgium?

Are you looking for a student job? Whether it’s to finance your studies, pay your rent, or simply to save money, finding the right job can feel like an uphill battle.

Most guides will tell you to make a CV, print 50 copies, and drop them off at every snack bar in the neighborhood. That's a method. But is it the best one?

At Meetern, we believe that finding a job, even a student job, shouldn't be a simple transaction. It's about a match. It’s about finding the company where your personality is as important as your ability to serve beers or file documents.

We will walk you through, step by step, how to find the student job in Belgium that truly suits you. From verifying your legal status to knowing how to apply when you have (almost) no professional experience.

1. Before You Apply: Am I Eligible for a Student Job?

Before you even start your search, a quick check on the legalities is essential. The student status in Belgium is very advantageous (reduced social security contributions), but it is subject to strict conditions.

Do I Have the Right Status?

To work under student status, you must (as a general rule):

• Be at least 15 years old (and no longer subject to full-time compulsory education).
• Be primarily enrolled in an educational institution. Your studies must be your main activity.
• Not work during compulsory class hours.

If you are following part-time education or if you are doing a compulsory traineeship as part of your studies, specific rules apply. (You can find all the rules on the official Belgian employment website).

The Crucial Step: Checking My Remaining Hours

This is the most important point! In Belgium, every student will have a quota of 650 hours of work per year (starting January 1, 2025).

As long as you do not exceed these 650 hours:

1. You pay very reduced social security contributions (ONSS) (only 2.71%).
2. You do not pay taxes if your salary does not exceed a certain annual ceiling.
3. You remain financially dependent on your parents (if they meet the other conditions).

How to check your remaining hours? Do not wait for your employer to tell you. The only official and reliable tool is the governmental application Student@Work. Create an account (via Itsme or your identity card) and you will see in real-time how many hours you have left. It is your responsibility to track this counter.

What If I Am Not Eligible or Have Exceeded My Hours?

Don't panic, you have alternatives for working:

• Working as a "Normal Employee": You can work beyond your 650 hours, but you will lose your advantageous status. Your social security contributions will be normal (13.07%) and your salary will be taxed more.
• The Flexi-job: If you have already worked enough for another employer (at least 4/5th time three quarters ago), you may be eligible for a Flexi-job (very advantageous financially), but the conditions are complex (more info here).
• The Classic Fixed-Term Contract (CDD): You can sign a classic fixed-term contract with a company.

2. Introspection: What Student Job Is Right for Me?

Now that the administrative part is settled, let's ask the real question. What are you looking for? The perfect student job is not the same for everyone.

What Is My Goal? Money or Experience?

Be honest with yourself. There is no wrong answer.

• Goal 1: Money Above All. You need to finance your studies, your kot in Liège, or your social life. This is perfectly valid. In this case, you will look for the highest-paid student jobs, often in Horeca (waiter, bartender), events, or certain sales sectors. Experience is a bonus, but the salary is the priority.
• Goal 2: Experience First. You are studying marketing, law, or IT. You want your student job to be a stepping stone for your future traineeships or your first permanent job. You will look for a job in your field, even if it pays a little less. You "sacrifice" a bit of salary for a golden line on your profile. It's an investment.

What Field Truly Interests Me?

Even if your goal is money, you will spend time there. You might as well enjoy it a little.

Make a list of what you like. Do you love human contact? Target sales or Horeca. Are you a "geek"? Look for student IT support. Are you highly organized? Administrative jobs (filing, encoding) are for you.

Don't force yourself into a job that goes against your personality. If you are a strong introvert, a promotional job in the street might be an ordeal.

Is My Job Compatible with My Studies?

This is the golden rule. Your studies come first.

• Check your schedule: Do you have fixed days off? Are you available on weekends?
• Think about the "blocus" (exam period): Is the employer flexible? A good employer knows you won't be able to work in January or June. Your student contract must take this into account.
• Consider the commute: A job in Brussels if you study in Namur? That could be a waste of time and money. Look near your campus or your kot.

3. The Active Search: Where to Find Student Job Offers?

You know your worth and what you want. It's time to find the offers.

The "Direct Contact" Method (Door-to-Door)

It's old-school, but it still works, especially for local businesses (bakeries, supermarkets, restaurants).

1. List the brands you like or the businesses near you.
2. Print a few CVs (we'll come back to this).
3. Go there in person, ask to see the manager (not at 12:30 PM during rush hour!).
4. Introduce yourself with a smile. Human contact often makes the difference.

Specialized Apps

For very specific jobs, dedicated apps exist. For example, for babysitting, platforms like Bsit directly connect you with families in your neighborhood. It's an excellent way to find flexible hours.

Social Networks

Facebook groups (e.g., "Bons plans jobs étudiants Bruxelles", "Job étudiant Liège") are often very reactive. Be careful though: offers there are less verified, and contract conditions are not always clear. Be vigilant.

The Meetern Method: Finding the "Match" Before the Offer

The problem with traditional methods? They treat you like a number. You send 100 CVs, you get 2 responses. It's frustrating, especially when you have little experience.

At Meetern, we reverse the logic. We are not just a simple "catalogue" of offers. We are a matching platform.

We help companies who are recruiting to show their culture, their values, and what they are looking for humanly. And we help you show who you are beyond your lack of experience.

By consulting company profiles on Meetern, you are not just looking for a salary; you are looking for an environment where you will feel good.

4. Applying: How to Highlight Myself Without Experience?

This is the million-dollar question. How to apply when your CV is almost empty?

The CV: A Necessary Evil?

For many companies, the CV remains the gateway. If you have to make one, be smart:

• Value the "non-professional": Did you do scouting (team management)? Are you the treasurer of the student circle (budget management)? Did you babysit (responsibility)? That is experience!
• Highlight your soft skills (human competencies): Punctual, curious, proactive, team spirit.
• No holiday photos. Keep it professional.

The CV is often a handicap when you are starting out. It is designed to list experiences that you do not yet have.

The Meetern Profile: The Human Alternative

This is where we make the difference. Your Meetern profile is designed to allow you to present yourself in a more authentic and human way.

You can highlight:

• Your personality: What motivates you, what you are passionate about.
• Your skills: Do you speak 3 languages? Are you proficient in Canva or Excel? That is crucial.
• Your projects: A blog, a design portfolio, a group project at university...

The Meetern profile does not highlight your lack of experience; it highlights your potential. That's what modern employers are looking for.

Direct Contact (Calling or Visiting)

Never underestimate the power of good human contact. If you apply online, do not hesitate to call a few days later to know the status of your application.

And if you can introduce yourself in person (as mentioned above), do it. It is the best way to show your motivation and create a first match.

5. I Got the Job: What Are My Rights?

Congratulations! You have found your student job. But before you start, let's talk about the final step: the contract.

The Student Employment Contract (COE)

Never work "under the table"! It is illegal, you are not insured in case of an accident, and you have no guarantee of a salary.

Your employer MUST have you sign a "Contrat d'Occupation Étudiant" (a COE). It is a written document, signed by you and the employer, at the latest on the day you start.

You can find a model and the complete rules on the Belgian employment website.

It must mention:

• The duration
• Your working schedule.
• Your function.
• Your student salary (remuneration).

What Will My Student Salary Be?

The salary of a student in Belgium depends on the sector of activity (the "Joint Committee," or CP). There are minimum scales.

A student cannot be paid less than the legal minimum wage (the RMMMG), but most sectors have their own scales (often higher) which also depend on your age. Find out about the minimum salary for your sector before signing.

To find out more, you can consult our article on student salary and Joint Committees (link to be adapted if the English version exists).

Your Rights in Summary

• Right to Salary: You must be paid as agreed.
• Right to Safety: The employer must explain the safety rules to you.
• Right to Respect of Hours: Your contract sets your hours; you cannot be forced to work 12 hours a day.
• Right to Breaks: You are entitled to statutory breaks.

Conclusion: Finding a Student Job Is an Experience in Itself

Finding a student job in Belgium requires a bit of preparation, especially regarding your rights (the 650 hours!).

But do not see this as a chore. See it as your first real professional experience. This is the time to learn to "sell yourself," to discover what you like (and what you hate!), and to meet people.

Don't just look for a job. Look for a company where you will feel comfortable, where you can learn, and where your personality is welcome.

Ready to find your "match"?

At Meetern, we connect curious students with benevolent companies in Brussels, Liège, Namur, Louvain-la-Neuve, Charleroi, Mons, and throughout Belgium.