Internship pay in Belgium (2025)

Key amounts for 2025*

• Academic internships: generally unpaid (no legal obligation), with sector exceptions (e.g., architecture: minimum ± €16/hour). Expense reimbursement is common.
• Apprenticeship (alternance): monthly allowance increases with year (≈ €359 1st year, €507 2nd, €676 3rd in the francophone scheme). In Flanders, regulated scales are at a comparable level. The employer covers accident insurance & social security filings.
• CIP / BIS (work-immersion outside education): legal minimum ≈ 50% of the GGMMI/RMMG (indexed). 2025 examples: ~€866 (18), ~€929 (19), ~€993 (20), ~€1,056 (21+). No ordinary social security contributions on the allowance (except for recognized dual-learning cases).
• Stage First (Brussels): €500/month paid by the employer + €26.82/day from Actiris → typical monthly total ~€1,080–1,100 (3–6 months).
• PFI/FPIE (Wallonia/Brussels) — IBO (Flanders): the employer pays a training premium (60–100% of the gap between the future gross wage and the intern’s benefits), with a hiring obligation afterward. An example calculation is included below.

*2025 amounts are indexed at the start of the year. Check later indexations before signing.

Which status fits which need?

1. Academic internships

General rule: no legal obligation to pay; internships are deemed learning experiences, not employment. Many companies cover transport/meals; some grant a small voluntary stipend for long placements.

Exceptions: architecture (trainees registered with the Order, minimum around €16/hour). Other regulated professions may fall under employment contracts (e.g., traineeships at the Bar), so they are not “unpaid internships”. Inspectors may reclassify sham internships as employment.

2. Apprenticeship (alternance)

Amounts: ~€359.02 (1st year), €506.85 (2nd), €675.80 (3rd). Increases after each successful year. The company provides PPE and may contribute to commuting costs.

Social regime: before age 19, reduced personal contributions; from January 1 of the year the apprentice turns 19, standard contributions apply, with a work bonus. The employer covers accident-at-work insurance and social security declarations.

Regional incentives: e.g., Wallonia: €750 to the employer after year 1 (conditions for accreditation/tutoring), €750 to the apprentice upon graduation; Brussels: Tutor premium €1,750/year (via Actiris).

3. Work-immersion agreement (CIP/BIS)

Minimum allowance: ≈ 50% of GGMMI/RMMG at age 21, with decreasing scales under 21. 2025 examples:~€865.90 (18), ~€929.30 (19), ~€992.60 (20), ~€1,056 (21+). Pro rata for part-time. Caution cap: ~€2,111.89 — above this level, there’s a risk of requalification as an employment contract.

Contributions & rights: outside recognized dual learning, no ordinary social security on the allowance; accident-at-work insurance is required. The allowance doesn’t create classic rights (paid leave/unemployment) by itself.

Duration: 1–6 months, extendable to 12 in some scenarios (e.g., non-EU interns), no hiring obligation.

Unemployment case: possible cumulative payment with benefits after the competent service grants a dispensation — advantageous for the intern; employer’s cost unchanged.

4. Stage First (Brussels)

Target group: under 30, low-qualified (max upper-secondary). Duration: 3–6 months, full-time, tripartite agreement with Actiris and coaching before/during/after.

Pay: €500 gross/month (employer) + €26.82/day (Actiris) → ~€1,080–1,100/month typical. Revalued on 1 July 2024 (employer part from €200 to €500).

Employer cost: very low (€500 + insurance). No hiring obligation, but strong springboard to jobs.

5. PFI (Wallonia) / FPIE (Brussels) / IBO (Flanders)

Principle: training in-company + mandatory hiring afterward (at least equivalent to the training period).

During training:

• The intern keeps unemployment/insertions benefits (if applicable);
• The employer pays a training premium = 60–100% of the gap between the future monthly gross and the benefits. Withholding on the premium: 11.11%.
• Without benefits, there is a regional flat-rate aid (e.g., €300 gross/month in Wallonia for full-time).

Example: future gross €2,500, benefits €621.66 → gap €1,878. At 60%: ~€1,127/month premium (net depends on withholding tables).

Comparison table — pay & obligations (2025)

How to find an intern in Belgium?

Search on Meetern, the recruitment platform dedicated to young talent. Browse verified profiles and explore their personality, motivators, and availability at a glance (start date, weekly rhythm, on-site/hybrid/remote). Filter by city, skills, interests, and internship type (CIP/BIS, apprenticeship/dual learning, academic internship), then contact candidates directly via in-app messaging.

To attract more applicants, publish a clear internship brief and showcase your company culture on your employer profile. Want to host an intern in your team? Discover our methods & best practices

For case studies, tips, and updates, follow Meetern on LinkedIn and Instagram (link these to your official pages).

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External official sources

• Actiris — Stage First
• Actiris — Professional Immersion Agreement (CIP/BIS)
• EFP — Apprenticeship allowance (alternance)
• Le Forem — PFI (employers)