Entrepreneurship

A student who starts their own business alongside their studies, under a specific social status that offers favorable social contributions.

This depends on your region. In Flanders, it depends on your income (in 2026, the threshold is €17,374.08 net taxable income). In Wallonia, it depends on your status — as long as you pay contributions as a self-employed student, you can work unlimited hours. In Brussels, it depends on the number of hours worked (max. 240 hours per quarter, except in Q3). It's advisable to check with your family allowance fund which rules apply to you.

Yes, even as a student entrepreneur you must register with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE) and, depending on your activity, apply for a VAT number. This applies regardless of your age or student status.

Yes, you can combine both, but keep in mind that income from both activities counts toward limits such as child benefits and tax advantages. It's therefore important to keep good track of your total income.

The main difference lies in social contributions: as a self-employed student, depending on your income, you pay reduced or no social contributions, while a regular self-employed person always pays the full amount. You also need to meet specific study requirements to benefit from this status.

Thinking about becoming a student entrepreneur? Entrepreneurship during your studies means starting or growing your own business alongside your studies, often under the student self-employed status. This lets you gain early experience as an entrepreneur, generate your own income, and work on a project you truly believe in.

Besides entrepreneurship, there are plenty of other ways to gain experience. An internship can give you a real boost in terms of knowledge and network. Would you like to do an internship? Explore all open vacancies on the internship page. Or are you torn between starting your own business and a classic student job? Check out the available student job vacancies to discover what suits you best.

Either way, a strong cover letter always come in handy. Find out how to write a convincing cover letter.

Running a business alongside your studies takes discipline, and that starts with good study planning. On this study tips page, you'll find study tips by and for students.