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. Until 30 September 2026 this was also a hard stop: the status ended then, even if you were still studying.

From 1 October 2026, the student can keep the status from the fourth quarter onwards of the year in which they turn 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.

The status does not end after that fourth quarter. You keep it until the end of your studies, as long as you keep meeting all conditions without interruption (including at least 27 credits or 17 teaching hours per week). This is also how the RSVZ and VLAIO read the rule.

What is not possible:

• Applying for the status for the first time after the third quarter of the year in which you turn 25.
• Regaining the status after an interruption. If, after turning 25, you fail to meet the conditions for one quarter, you lose the status for good.

Example: you turn 25 in March 2027 and are already student self-employed. You graduate in June 2028. You remain student self-employed until the end of September 2028 (the end of your studies), provided you meet all conditions without interruption throughout that period.

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.

Further reading (in Dutch)

• RSVZ — Wat betekent dat juist: student-zelfstandige? (the conditions after turning 25)
• VLAIO — Statuut student-zelfstandige vanaf 1 oktober flexibeler

Source (PDF)