Changes to student self-employed status from 1 October 2026.

What is changing?

The regulations amend article 5bis. Below are the main changes as summarised in the RSVZ/KCC note.

1) Age condition (25 years)

In principle, the status can no longer be granted after the third quarter of the calendar year in which a student turns 25.

From 1 October 2026, the student can keep the status in the fourth quarter in which they reach the age of 25, if:

• the student already had the status in the third quarter of that calendar year;
• the student continues to meet all conditions;
• the conditions are met without interruption.

2) Clarification of exceptions for “enrolment as a main activity”

To be considered a student self-employed person, the student must be enrolled for at least 27 credits (or at least 17 teaching hours per week) per school or academic year.

There are exceptions:

• internship periods;
• the period during which a final thesis is being prepared.

The regulations clarify that these exceptions fall under the condition “enrolment as a main activity”. For the “final thesis” exception, it is emphasised that:

• it applies only when the minimum number of credits/teaching hours is not reached;
• it can be applied for a maximum of one school or academic year.

3) Regular attendance of classes

From 1 October 2026, the student is no longer required to:

• make a prior declaration at the beginning of the school or academic year about regularly attending classes;
• submit a certificate from the educational institution stating that the student was coached in the entrepreneurship project.

4) End of studies

From 1 October 2026, students who graduate at a time other than June or September can keep the status:

• in the quarter in which the diploma is obtained,
• even if they do not meet the study condition for the entire quarter.

In addition, in art. 5bis, § 6 (ARS), the word “entire” is added. This clarifies that the status is kept in the third quarter provided that the study condition is met during:

• the entire second quarter of a calendar year, or
• the entire quarter before the quarter in which the summer holiday takes place.

Entry into force

• The relaxations apply from 1 October 2026.

Source (PDF)