Frequently asked questions from students

If you work via Recruit a Student Belgium, your pay is paid weekly. Payment is usually made on Thursday or Friday. Depending on your bank, the amount may be visible in your account the same day or on the next working day.

Your payslip is sent digitally every week (usually by email or via an online portal, depending on your process). You receive it around the same time as your payment.

The difference between your gross pay and net pay is due to deductions such as:

• Social security contributions (RSZ) or, if you work as a student within your quota, the student solidarity contribution,
• and withholding tax (précompte professionnel): an advance payment on your personal income tax.

The hourly rate you receive in advance is always a gross rate. How much you receive net can vary depending on:

• how many hours you worked,
• your status (student worker or not),
• and your personal tax situation.

Your payslip shows, among other things, your gross pay, deductions (social security/withholding tax), any bonuses/allowances, and holiday pay/deductions in line with Belgian rules.

Do you have questions about a line on your payslip? Contact your Recruit a Student contact person and we’ll explain it clearly together.

Withholding tax is an amount your employer deducts and pays to the tax authorities as an advance payment of your taxes. It is therefore normal for this to differ from week to week or month to month if your hours vary.

Each year you will receive a tax form 281.10 showing your total income and the withholding tax paid. You need this for your Belgian tax return (Tax-on-web).
It is usually provided at the beginning of the year (timing may vary slightly depending on the administration/employer).

Are you sick on a working day? Report it as soon as possible and definitely before your start time:

1. to Recruit a Student (your employer), according to the agreed procedure (preferably by phone + email), and
2. to the client/company where you are scheduled that day, so they can adjust their planning.

If you are unable to call yourself, someone else may report your absence for you.

You must submit your hours on time, according to the arrangements for your assignment (e.g., via an online tool, timesheet, or client confirmation).
When you start, we will always tell you:

• which method to use,
• and the deadline by which your hours must be submitted.

In 2026, in Belgium you can work up to 650 hours per calendar year under the favourable student status (solidarity contribution), across all employers combined.

After that, you can usually continue working, but the regular social security contributions will apply.

Before you start, you will be informed of your gross hourly rate. This rate is based on:

• the role,
• the sector/conditions at the client company,
• and Belgian equal treatment rules (interim workers are entitled to the same pay and working conditions as comparable employees at the client company).