In Belgium, all children between the ages of 5 and 16 are required to attend school. Always notify the school if you know in advance that your child is going to be absent. And if your child is unexpectedly absent (e.g. due to illness) for more than three consecutive days, you’re also required to let the school know.

Every municipality employs an attendance officer (‘leerplichtambtenaar’) whose responsibility it is to investigate the reason for absences and who may recommend action is taken in certain circumstances.

If you’re responsible for anyone between 5 and 12 years of age and consciously allow them to be absent from school, you may even be prosecuted by law. Is your child absent without a valid reason? The school registers it as a problematic absence. If there are five half-days of problematic absence registered for a student, the school is required to call the Centre for Pupil Guidance (CLB). They find out why your child is absent and work with you and your child to solve the issue: e.g. extra guidance or external assistance.

If your child is absent without a satisfactory reason - they’re going to a bar or hanging around on the street for example - or if counselling by the school, the CLB or other emergency services is refused, the school may take further steps such as involving the police, informing the Ministry of Education and Training, etc. If your child continues to be absent, their education allowance may be cancelled, and any education allowance that has already been paid may be recovered.

There are circumstances under which a child may be granted leave of absence (e.g., illness, religious holidays, attending a marriage or funeral, etc.). However, in these situations, or in the case of extra holidays during the school semester, you need to apply to the school board for permission.

If you are at an age where you’re legally required to attend school, you must:

• attend classes in secondary education;
• or attend home schooling.

Students who are required to participate in distance learning, but who fail to do so without a valid reason, may also be considered to be illegally absent.

The Examination Board only organises examinations that allow you to attain a secondary-education certificate or diploma. Everyone is welcome to participate in these examinations, regardless of age, nationality or previous education. However, there are no classes or courses provided: you’re required to study independently.

Were you awarded a certificate, diploma or degree outside Flanders? Does it hold the same value in Flanders? The National Academic Recognition Information Centre - better known as NARIC-Vlaanderen - will find out for you.
The organisation:

• recognises foreign qualifications
• issues certificates to holders of Flemish qualifications wishing to work or study abroad
• is the competent authority for the legalisation of Flemish qualifications for those who wish to work or study abroad
• provides information about Flemish and foreign education systems.

There is always a reason to learn. What’s yours? Discovering your talents? Becoming more self-reliant? Maybe you want to learn more about computers, pursue a diploma or a new challenge? Adult education (in Dutch) makes it possible for you to turn your dreams into reality.

The large expat community living in Belgium has resulted in numerous international schools(opens in new window) being established around the country. They may be of interest to you, especially if you’re looking for a country-specific curriculum, internationally recognised qualifications, or an alternative style of education. There are schools offering British, American, European, or bilingual curriculums. Others follow a particular approach to education: e.g. Montessori. The curriculum, facilities and fees vary greatly from school to school. Investigate the options to find the school with the best fit for you and your child.

The dates for holiday periods vary from year to year. The Government of Flanders publishes a full list of holidays (in Dutch) for pre-school, primary, secondary, adult education centres and part-time arts education. Individual schools may also have their own curriculum days when students are not expected to attend.

You need a student residence permit if you are not a resident of the European Union and want to study for a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Belgium. This permit also allows you to work for up to 20 hours a week, as long as it is compatible with your studies. This 20-hour limit does not apply during school holidays.

Student housing comes in many forms in Flanders. In general, student accommodation is called a ‘kot’, with the Dutch word even being used in English in Flanders. A kot may be anything from a room for a single student in an owner’s house, to a flat or house shared by several students, a studio flat or a bedroom with access to a shared bathroom and kitchen.

A number of colleges, universities and even city councils have their own websites on which they post available ‘koten’ that have been authenticated and approved. Why? Unfortunately, there are also a number of fake advertisements on the internet. Please always be vigilant. Check the address of a kot on Google Maps, ask for personal information from the landlord and do not immediately transfer money to a foreign account. When in doubt, always contact your educational institution or report your suspicions to the local police. It is better to be safe than sorry.

You’ll find there are differences between a rental agreement for a kot or student housing and a rental agreement for a family home. In the case of a kot, the agreement includes the rights and obligations of the student (tenant) and the landlord. These rights and obligations vary. However, they are not permitted to conflict with legally stipulated regulations. Rental contracts for student accommodation in Flanders, concluded from 1 January 2019, must comply with the provisions in the Flemish Housing Decree.

Would you like to work while you’re studying(opens in new window)? A little extra cash is always handy. But to be allowed to work, you first need to have public health insurance. The steps involved after this depend on which country you’re from.

As a foreign student coming from a country that is part of the European Union, you have the same rights and obligations as a Belgian student, even if you’re not you’re studying or living in Belgium. You’re allowed to work here.

However, if you’re from a different country from outside the European Union, the rules are different. You’ll need a student residence permit. This permit also allows you to work for up to 20 hours a week, as long as it is compatible with your studies. This 20-hour limit does not apply during school holidays.

While you’re studying, you might be told that you’ll only find a job in Flanders(opens in new window) if you speak Dutch. Speaking Dutch will certainly help you, but there are also plenty of job opportunities for English speakers.

Finding a job is often easiest if you go through an employment or recruitment agency. They’re used a lot in Belgium, serving as a bridge between jobseekers like you and companies of all sizes.

• An employment agency (‘uitzendbureau’) usually specialises in temporary employment. They match jobseekers to multiple opportunities.
• Recruitment agencies (‘werving-en-selectiebureau’) primarily focus on recommending suitable candidates, but leave the final hiring decision to the employer. They usually target more highly educated individuals who are at a more advanced stage in their careers and looking for long-term or permanent positions. They’re particularly useful after you’ve finished your degree.

A company will often work with an employment agency, either posting their job vacancies on the agency website or hiring a specialised recruiter from the agency to find the perfect candidate. When you’re looking for a job, you’re welcome to sign up with these employment agencies. You’ll be able to keep an eye on new job opportunities and a recruiter will contact you if they know employers looking for someone with your skills.

When your residence permission is about to expire, you can stay for another year via applying for an orientation year to find a suitable job. The orientation year(opens in new window) refers to a period after completing studies in Belgium during which graduates have the opportunity to look for a job or start a self-employed activity. This search year allows graduates to gain work experience and increase their chances of obtaining a residence permit.

During the search year, graduates can qualify for a job-seeker’s residence permit. This permit allows them to stay in Belgium and look for work that matches their education. If they find a job within that period, they can then apply for a residence permit for employment as an employee or self-employed, depending on the nature of the job found.