Unpaid internship in Belgium: is it worth it?

You've just come across a super tempting internship offer: stimulating missions, committed team, impact project... But here's the thing, there's a little line that stings a little (especially when you come from abroad): "unpaid internship". And then you get stuck.

Is this normal? Is it still done? Is it really worth giving your time (and often a lot of energy!) without financial compensation ?

So we decided to take stock. What the law says, what you can get out of it, what you need to keep a close eye on... And above all: how to choose an internship that makes you grow, paid or not. Here we go!

First of all, is it legal or not?

In Belgium, the remuneration of an intern is not always mandatory. It all depends on the type of internship and the framework in which it is located.

👉 If you do an internship as part of your studies (with a school-company agreement), the company is not legally obliged to pay you. Some do it voluntarily (and that's good), but it's not systematic.

👉 On the other hand, if your internship is part of a professional integration programme (via Actiris, Forem or another official structure), an allowance is generally provided.

👉 Finally, for "out-of-bound" internships, spontaneous or independent of any agreement, the company may offer compensation (transport, meals, etc.), but it is not necessarily required to do so.

So yes, an unpaid internship is legal in Belgium.

Unpaid internship: advantages, limitations... and what you are not always told

Doing an internship without pay may seem unfair. But you also have to look at the overall context, and what the internship can bring you concretely.

✅ Advantages :
An internship, paid or unpaid, can be a real gateway to a sector you are targeting, allowing you to develop concrete skills, gain confidence, test a job, or even create a network. Sometimes, a "free" internship can lead to a job, a partnership, or a personal project that takes shape.

❌ Limit side :
We're not going to lie to each other: working without being paid is often complicated to assume, especially if you have to cover your transport, your accommodation or simply live on a daily basis. And then there are internships that look more like a disguised workforce than a real learning opportunity. These are quickly spotted: no supervision, no clear objectives, no skills development.

🤐 What we don't always say...

An internship can sometimes bring you much more than just a salary: you come out of it with real skills, a clearer vision of your professional project and the feeling of having really evolved. But for that, the framework must be healthy, respectful, and you must be clear about why you are committed to it.

How to spot a good internship... even if he is not paid?

A good internship, paid or unpaid, can be identified by the quality of the experience offered, not just the payslip.

✨ Here are some positive signs to look out for:

• The team takes the time to explain your mission to you before you even start.

• We have prepared a real onboarding for your first days

• You're given real tasks (and not just coffee or photocopies).

• You have a referent, a follow-up, regular feedback.

• We are interested in your desire to learn, in your professional project.

• You feel like you're part of the team, even as an intern.

An unpaid internship (or paid internship, for that matter) should never be free labor, but a structured learning experience. If you feel that everything is on you without support, that your missions are not clear or that you are half integrated... go your way.

What if you want impact AND a minimum of recognition?

You want to learn, get involved, contribute to a meaningful project... but without being exploited? We understand you.

Some organizations can't always pay you (we know that) but they know how to value you in other ways: quality support, internal training, access to professional networks or sometimes even a concrete follow-up after the internship.

At Meet My Job, we believe that your time is valuable, even when you're just starting out. This is why we select internships in committed structures, with real missions, a good framework and respect for the role of the intern. And yes, here, we do everything to make your internship more than a line on your CV : a real step towards a professional career that suits you.

Ready to find the experience that will thrill you? Find all our internship offers in Brussels (and elsewhere), right here ! 🚀