Many parents and students ask the same question: when does a student lose their entitlement to the Growth Package? The answer depends on the student’s status. For students in part-time work, the amount of hours worked counts. For self-employed students, it is their net taxable income.
Good news: you can combine the two systems.
What determines entitlement to the Flemish Child Benefit?
Children in Flanders have an unconditional right to the Growth Package until the month in which they turn 18. Between the years 18 and 25, you may still be entitled to the Growth Package, but this is subject to certain conditions.
Entitlement to the basic Flemish Child Benefit is retained as long as the student meets the following conditions:
- Age: up to a maximum of 25 years
- Enrolment in education: for at least 27 credits
- Amount of hours worked as a student worker
- Net taxable income as a self-employed student
As a student worker, the student’s income does not play a role in determining the basic amount; as a self-employed student, it does.
Student workers: the 650-hour rule
For students working under a student contract, the following applies:
- A maximum of 650 hours per calendar year under student status
- Within those 650 hours, entitlement to the basic growth package is retained
- There is no income limit for the basic amount
What happens if you work more than 650 hours?
- The student pays standard social security contributions from the 651st hour onwards
- The Growth Package is suspended
Is there no income limit at all?
Not for student workers. A student who stays within the 650-hour limit may, in principle, earn as much as they can within those hours. Have you found a student job where you earn 100 euros an hour? Then this is no problem at all!
➡️ Please note: this is entirely separate from the tax rules. If your child earns too much, it is possible that this child will no longer be considered a “dependant”. For personal income tax purposes, the child’s net subsistence is taken into account. In that case, an income limit does apply to remain a dependent for tax purposes.
Student-self-employed: here, it’s the income that counts
Other rules apply to students working as self-employed individuals. Here, the net taxable income is decisive. If you pay social security contributions as a self-employed person in main occupation, you lose your status as a self-employed student and, consequently, your growth package.
For the 2026 income year, the next threshold applies:
- Up to €8,504.44 net taxable income: no social security contributions
- Between €8,504.44 and €17,008.88: reduced social security contributions
- From €17,008.88 net taxable income: contributions as a self-employed person in main occupation ➡️ you lose your Growth Package
As soon as a student is considered self-employed in their main occupation, you lose your entitlement to the Growth Package. Even if you are just €1 over the limit.
👀 Please note: this is not about turnover, but about net taxable income. That is your turnover minus business expenses, as determined by the tax authorities.
When exactly do you experience a loss of the Growth Package?
You will experience a loss of the Growth Package in 2026 if:
- You work more than 650 hours as a student worker and therefore have to pay higher social security contributions
- As a self-employed student, you have a net taxable income of €17,008.88 or more and are therefore considered to be self-employed in your main occupation
Tip from an accountanttable
Just over the limit? You can reduce your profit by paying more social security contributions.
Can you combine student work with self-employment?
Yes, you can.
In 2026, a student may simultaneously:
- work as a student worker for up to 650 hours
- and be active as a self-employed student
But both limits must be respected:
- a maximum of 650 hours of student work
- a maximum of €17,008.88 net taxable income as a self-employed person
If the student exceeds either of these limits, they may experience a loss of their entitlement to the Growth Package for the relevant period.
TL;DR: when does a student experience the loss of the Growth Package?
👩🏾🎓 Student worker
- Maximum 650 hours per year
- No income limit
- Exceeding the limit may lead to suspension for the month in question
👩🏿💻 Self-employed student
- Income below the limit for main occupation: Growth Package retained
- Income above that limit: risk of loss of the Growth Package
