A student worker recruit in 2026

Good to know

• Student agreement required. If you can enter into a student agreement with a student, you must do so: it is not a matter of free choice. The agreement is in writing, for a fixed term, in two copies per student, and signed no later than the moment of commencement of employment.
• Mandatory disclosures. Including, among other things, the identity of both parties, the start and end dates, the location, a brief job description, the working hours per day and per week, the agreed wage, the competent joint committee, and the work schedule. The complete list is registered with the FPS Employment.
• Is it really a student? According to the NSSO, a sworn statement or a student card is not sufficient; a certificate of enrollment for the current school or academic year is. You do not have to submit it spontaneously, but must be able to produce it in the event of a dispute.
• Remaining hours. The student generates a certificate with their remaining hours via student@work. You can check the quota yourself using the access code on that certificate; the code remains valid in the month of creation and for the two months thereafter.
• Plan the hours correctly. You may change the planned hours until the last day of the month following the reporting quarter. If you plan too few hours, another employer may use up the remaining quota in the meantime.
• 12-month rule. If a student works continuously for more than 12 months for the same employer, they cannot enter into a student employment agreement with them. However, with an actual break between the agreements, you may employ the same student for multiple years.
• Graduated in June. According to the NSSO, anyone who finishes their studies and obtains their diploma in June may continue working with a solidarity contribution until 30 September — provided it is genuinely student work and not a disguised probationary period.
• Wage. Wages follow the collective labour agreements of your joint committee; without a sectoral agreement, the GGMMI applies. Some sectors have their own student rules: in the hospitality sector (PC 302), minor students receive a degressive percentage of the scale (17 years 90%, 16 years 80%, 15 years 70%), while in freight transport (PSC 140.03) they receive at least 90% of the hourly wage.
• Young students. A student agreement is possible from the age of 15 if the young person is no longer subject to full-time compulsory education. Since May 4, 2026, 15-year-olds who are still subject to full-time compulsory education can also enter into a student agreement, exclusively for light work such as reception assistance, logistical activities, or light cleaning tasks, and never during class hours.