Student job 2026: how much can you earn without losing family allowances?

How much do you earn net from a student job?

Under a student contract, your employer only deducts the 2.71% solidarity contribution: your net pay is 97.29% of gross. No withholding tax is deducted if three conditions are met: a written contract, no contribution other than the solidarity contribution, and fewer than 650 hours in the year. From the 651^st hour, you and your employer pay ordinary contributions (13.07% for you, as a rule).

Hours are counted per calendar year, all employers combined. Your official balance is on Student@work: check it before signing a new contract.

Family allowances: it is the number of hours that counts

Between 18 and 25, your family allowances continue during your studies if you do not work too many hours. Your pay does not count: only your hours and the type of contract count, depending on the region where you live. Before 18, allowances are paid unconditionally until 31 August of the year you turn 18; they stop on your 25^th birthday.

An example in Brussels: 300 hours from April to June lose you the allowances for the second quarter, whereas 400 hours in July and August change nothing if you go back to your studies in September. In Wallonia and Flanders, the same hours under a student contract have no effect, as long as you do not exceed 650 hours over the year.

Remaining your parents’ dependant: the 2026 ceiling

Your parents keep their tax advantage for a dependent child if your net resources for the year do not exceed €12,300. Since 2025 income, this ceiling has been the same for all students, whether or not your parents live together. The calculation takes four steps:

1. start from your gross pay minus your contributions (your taxable pay);
2. deduct the first €7,010 of your student pay, which do not count;
3. deduct lump-sum expenses of 20% of the remainder, at least €580;
4. add your other net income, then compare with the ceiling.

With 650 hours at €14, i.e. €9,100.00 gross, your net resources are €1,263.39: far below the ceiling. You need €23,008.53 gross under a student contract to reach it exactly (€12,300.00). Other conditions also apply: being part of your parents’ household on 1 January of the following year, and not being paid by a self-employed parent who deducts your salary.

For your 2025 income, declared in 2026, the ceiling was €12,000 and the part not counted €6,840. The 2027 amounts have not been published yet.

And your own tax?

Your student income is taxable in your name, but you pay no tax as long as your taxable income, after lump-sum expenses, stays below the tax-free amount of €11,550 (2026 income). With 650 hours at €14, it is about €6,197: no tax, unless you have other income.

Above 650 hours

You can keep working under a student contract, but the extra hours are subject to ordinary contributions and withholding tax. For 750 hours at €14, you keep €10,070.41 before withholding tax, compared with €10,215.45 if all the hours stayed under the solidarity contribution. Family allowances are not lost automatically: in Wallonia, these hours count towards the limit of 240 hours a quarter; in Flanders, towards the limit of 80 hours a month.

Other ways of working during your studies

• Self-employed student: for €8,000 of profit a year, €666.67 net a month on average. Between 18 and 25, enrolled in education: reduced contributions depending on income.
• Approved sharing economy platform: for €3,000 a year, €2,679.00 net over the year. Small services between private individuals, within an annual ceiling.
• Dual learning or work placement: your income and rights as an apprentice, work-study student or trainee.

Finishing your studies? If you graduate in June or over the summer, you can in principle still work as a student until 30 September. For what comes next, see everything that changes with your first job and the guided path I’m finishing my studies.

Useful links

• Student@workYour official 650-hour counter and the certificate to give your employer
• WikifinStudent jobs, family allowances and dependant status
• Infor JeunesStudent jobs explained: contract, minimum wage, rights and obligations
• NISSE (INASTI/RSVZ)Contributions and social protection for the self-employed
• FamirisFamily allowances in Brussels: student jobs and 240 hours a quarter
• Groeipakket (Flemish authorities)Family allowances in Flanders: working and keeping the Groeipakket

Frequently asked questions

What next?

• First job: everything that changesFrom student job to first salary: net pay, leave, holiday pay and paperwork.
• Guided path: I’m finishing my studiesThe right tools in order, from your last student job to your first salary.
• Apprentice, work-study student or traineeYour income and rights in dual learning or a work placement.
• Gross to netYour future gross salary, converted into net pay.