Can I take a second job?
Yes, a second job is allowed — but mind the total working time, loyalty and, for civil servants, an authorisation. You may hold a second job or a sideline alongside your main job. The working-time limits apply per worker across all employers combined: on average at most 48 hours a week (over 4 months), never more than 11 hours a day or 50 hours a week, and you are entitled to at least 11 hours' rest per day. You may not engage in unfair competition with your main employer or use confidential information. Informing your main employer is not legally required, unless your contract or a valid non-compete clause requires it. As a self-employed person in a sideline, you pay social contributions (about 20.5% above a threshold of ± €1,881 a year). For tax, your extra income is added to the rest and taxed progressively — it can push you into a higher bracket. Civil servants often need prior authorisation to cumulate, and some functions are incompatible.
📋 The rules
- A second job or sideline is allowed alongside the main job
- Working time counts across all employers combined: on average max 48 h/week, never more than 11 h/day or 50 h/week
- Entitlement to at least 11 hours' rest per day (art. 38ter Labour Act)
- No unfair competition or use of confidential information (art. 17 Employment Contracts Act)
- Informing your main employer is not legally required, unless a contract or non-compete clause requires it
- Civil servants: often prior authorisation to cumulate; some functions are incompatible
🔓 Exceptions
- Self-employed sideline: social contributions (± 20.5% above a threshold of about €1,881 a year); below the threshold an exemption is possible
- You build your social rights through your main job as an employee, not through the sideline
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Exceeding the working-time limits is an offence under the Social Criminal Code (for the employer). Unfair competition or breaching a valid non-compete clause is a civil fault that can lead to damages or dismissal for urgent cause. A civil servant who cumulates without authorisation risks a disciplinary sanction.
📎 Official sources
- werk.belgie.be · working time and rest periods →
- overheid.vlaanderen.be · incompatibilities and cumulation →
- Securex · self-employed main or secondary occupation →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I take a second job alongside my main job?
Yes. There is no general ban on a second job or sideline. You must stay within the total working time and not engage in unfair competition with your main employer.
Do I have to inform my employer?
Legally it is usually not required, unless your employment contract or a valid non-compete clause requires it. For a self-employed sideline it is wise to avoid competition and loyalty problems.
How many hours may I work in total?
Across all your employers combined, on average at most 48 hours a week (over 4 months), never more than 11 hours a day or 50 hours a week, with at least 11 hours' rest per day.
Am I taxed more heavily on my second income?
Your extra income is added to your main income and taxed progressively, so it can fall into a higher bracket. You then keep less net than the gross amount suggests.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “second job alongside main job”
- “maximum hours two employers”
- “second job inform employer”
- “self-employed sideline contributions”
- “civil servant cumulation authorisation”