Internships in Belgium: the main types of internships + how to find it

You’re looking for an internship in Belgium and you keep seeing different terms (internship agreement, CIP, Stage First, MISIP…)? Totally normal: not all internships work the same way. Depending on the type, it changes what you sign, whether you get paid/compensated, and who you need to contact.

Here, we break down the main internship types in Belgium (Brussels/Wallonia) and share practical tips to find internship offers faster.

What is an internship “as part of your studies” in Belgium?

This is the most common type: it’s linked to your school / university / university college. Usually, you sign an internship agreement between you, your school, and the company: objectives, duration, schedule, supervision, insurance… everything should be clear.

✅ For who? Students who have a mandatory (or recommended) internship in their programme.

🔎 Before you say yes: missions, hours, supervision, expenses, and what your school requires.

CIP in Brussels: what is an “outside the curriculum” internship?

A CIP (Convention d’immersion professionnelle) is an immersion in a company. It’s not an employment contract, so it’s not a salary — but you receive a monthly allowance. Actiris gives an example of a gross monthly allowance (indexed) for a full-time placement.

✅ For who? Mostly people registered as jobseekers in Brussels (often after studies).

⚠️ Important: check your eligibility (some student situations don’t fit this framework).

Stage First in Brussels: how it works + how much you get ?

Stage First is a Brussels programme for a first professional experience. It includes:

a monthly allowance of €500 gross (paid by the company), and

a daily internship allowance up to €26.82 gross/day (under conditions).

✅ For who? Young people in Brussels who want a “stepping-stone” experience.

📌 Where to find it? Via Actiris (and sometimes through targeted offers).

Wallonia: what are MISIP and PFI (and what are they for)?

In Wallonia, you’ll see schemes via Le Forem:

MISIP: a short, unpaid placement (a few days) to discover a job “in real life.”

PFI (Plan Formation-Insertion): in-company training (typically 4 to 26 weeks), often with a “training → contract” logic (depending on conditions).

✅ For who? Often jobseekers supported by Le Forem, but it depends on your status.

Remote / hybrid internships in Belgium: is it allowed?

Yes, it’s becoming more common (marketing, design, dev, data…). But it’s only a good option if you have:

• proper onboarding (you know what to do)
• real follow-up (you’re not left alone)
• clear objectives (you genuinely learn)

How to search for internship offers in Belgium efficiently ?

🛎️ Use the formula: “internship offers + city + field”.

Examples:

• “internship offers Brussels marketing”
• “internships Belgium HR”
• “internship Liège communication”
• “remote internship UX”

When should you apply for an internship in Belgium?

As early as possible: some companies recruit several months before the internship starts.

What should you check before accepting an internship offer?

Before you say yes, ask these 3 questions:

• “Who will supervise me?”
• “What will I learn concretely?”
• “What’s the framework (internship agreement / CIP / Stage First / other)?”

Quiz: which internship suits you best?

Tick what matches you ✅ and add up at the end 🧮

(Highest score = your best match 🔥)

A) Internship “as part of your studies” 🎓

☐ My internship must count for my school (credits / validation). (+5)

☐ I need a clear framework: agreement, objectives, supervision. (+4)

☐ I mainly want to learn, even if it’s not necessarily paid. (+3)

☐ My school requires documents/reports/evaluations. (+3)

☐ I prefer a “classic” internship with a mentor. (+2)

Total A: ____ / 17

B) Remote / hybrid internship 💻🏠

☐ I’m comfortable working autonomously and staying organised. (+4)

☐ I want to avoid commuting (or I’m targeting a company outside my city). (+4)

☐ I have a good setup (laptop + Wi-Fi + quiet space). (+3)

Bekijk ook onze lijst van stages!

☐ I like digital roles (marketing, design, dev, data, content). (+4)

☐ I need flexibility (classes, student job, family). (+3)

Total B: ____ / 18

C) Stage First (Brussels) 🏙️🚀

☐ I live in Brussels (or I’m targeting an internship in Brussels). (+4)

☐ I want a well-supported “stepping-stone” first experience. (+4)

☐ Getting an allowance is important to me. (+4)

☐ I’m okay going through Actiris for the framework. (+4)

☐ My goal: enter the job market quickly. (+3)

Total C: ____ / 19

D) CIP (Brussels) — company immersion 🏙️🧩

☐ I’m not doing a mandatory school internship. (+4)

☐ I’m ready to check my eligibility (status, conditions). (+4)

☐ I want to learn in a company “for real” (immersion). (+4)

☐ An allowance (not a salary) works for me if the framework is clear. (+3)

☐ I’m targeting Brussels and can go through Actiris. (+3)

Total D: ____ / 18

E) Wallonia — MISIP / PFI (Le Forem) 🌿

☐ I’m in Wallonia (or I’m looking for an internship in Wallonia). (+4)

☐ I want to test a job quickly before committing. (+4)

☐ I’m open to a “training → job” pathway. (+4)

☐ I can go through Le Forem for support. (+4)

☐ My goal: find a job after, not just “do an internship.” (+3)

Total E: ____ / 19

FAQ

Is an internship in Belgium always paid?

No. It depends on the internship type (academic internship, CIP, Stage First…).

How many internship types exist in Belgium?

There isn’t one single “official” number because it depends on your status (student vs jobseeker) and your region (Brussels/Wallonia). In practice, you’ll often see: academic internships (school), CIP (Brussels), Stage First (Brussels), MISIP (Wallonia), PFI (Wallonia), and remote/hybrid internships.

How do I know which type of internship I’m doing (Brussels/Wallonia)?

Ask yourself 3 questions:

(1) Does my school require an internship agreement? → academic internship.

(2) Am I going through Actiris in Brussels? → CIP or Stage First.

(3) Am I supported by Le Forem in Wallonia? → MISIP or PFI.

Which site can I use to find an internship in Belgium? 😊

The easiest: Student.be. You can find internship offers across Belgium (Brussels, Wallonia, Flanders) and filter by city, field, and internship type.

👉 Internship offers

Tip: combine keywords + your city (e.g., “marketing Brussels”, “HR Liège”, “remote IT”) to find offers faster. 😊