Are you as a temporary worker also eligible for the Flemish job bonus?

Who is eligible for the job bonus?

In broad terms, salaried employees and statutory civil servants in Flanders are eligible. As a temporary worker, the same base rules apply.
You qualify if you meet all of the following conditions:

• You are a salaried employee or a statutory civil servant.
• As an employee you pay the normal social-security contribution (13.07 %) or you are a statutory civil servant.
• You have a contract (fixed-term or open-ended).
• You are working (full-time or part-time) with at least one employer.
• On 1 January of the year for which the bonus is granted, you reside in the Flemish Region.
• You have not yet reached the statutory retirement age (in that quarter).
• You earned on average less than the threshold for that year (for full-time work) — for reference year 2024 the threshold is €3,100 gross/month.

Special note for temporary workers:
It does not matter if you work through an employment agency — as long as you are a salaried employee, you meet the conditions and your work is reported to social security, you may be eligible. Note: the €3,100 threshold is for full-time work. If you work part-time, your salary is converted to a full-time equivalent (“reference monthly salary”) to check whether you fall under the threshold.

Also useful to know: Cross-border workers who live in Flanders and work abroad can apply for their job bonus via the WSE desk. Currently, this can be done on the basis of their wages and performance in 2021, 2022, and/or 2023. From December 1, 2025, cross-border workers will be able to apply for a job bonus based on their wages and performance in 2024.

What is the amount of the job bonus?

• If you earned on average less than €2,100 gross per month (full-time work), you can receive up to €650.
• If you earn between €2,100 and €3,099.99 gross per month, the bonus ranges from €0 to €650 and gradually decreases as your salary increases.
• If you earn more than €3,099.99 gross per month (full-time), you are not eligible for the bonus.
• For part-time work, the amount is adjusted on a pro rata basis.

Is your annual job bonus less than €50 for full-time employment or less than €10 for part-time employment? In that case, no job bonus will be paid, and you will not receive a notification letter.

Step by step: how to apply for the job bonus?

The process is the same for temporary workers. Typically you do not need to submit a manual application — it is processed automatically.

Step 1 – Receive a letter
If you are eligible (for a certain “reference year”, e.g. 2024), you will receive between November of the year following the reference year and end of February a letter from the Flemish government, either on paper or via e-Box.

Step 2 – Check or enter your bank account

• The letter states whether a bank account is already registered.

• If you have none or want to change it: go to “My Citizen Profile” (www.burgerprofiel.be) → theme ‘Work, functions and mandates’ → ‘Flemish job bonus’. Fill in your internationally valid account number (SEPA). If you don’t have internet access you can use a public computer or digital assistance.

Step 3 – Payment

• If a bank account was already registered: after receipt of the letter the bonus will be paid within about one month.

• If no account was registered: you first receive a letter requesting registration. After registration you receive a second confirmation letter. Approximately two weeks later the payment follows.

Step 4 – Did not receive a letter?

• Check yourself. Make sure your gross monthly salary (converted to full-time equivalent if part-time) was under the threshold

• Check in your e-Box if the letter is there.

• If you believe you are eligible but no file was opened: call free at 0800 61106.

File an objection
If you do not agree with the calculation or think the bonus was refused incorrectly, you can file an objection via the online module of the Flemish Tax Administration. Keep your pay slips and possibly contracts as proof. The deadline is typically within 3 months after the letter was sent.

Practical tips for temporary workers:

• If you have multiple shorter assignments or work for several employers: no problem — the gross salaries are added up.

• If you work part-time or your workload varies during the year: it is translated into a full-time equivalent (“reference monthly salary”) to determine if you fall under the threshold.

• Keep your pay slips — useful in case of an objection.

• Beware of phishing: the government will only contact you by letter for this bonus procedure, not via SMS/WhatsApp.