After your studies

Internship in Belgium or abroad

Still not quite ready to start working? Then check out internship or traineeship opportunities after graduation.

Internship after your studies

The Erasmus+ programme offers grants not only for mobilities during studies but also for traineeship mobilities shortly after graduation. The grants are awarded by VLUHR (Flemish Higher Education Council).Important: apply during your studies, not after graduation. 

More info on the student portal (accessible only if you are still a student)

Traineeship after your studies

A great way to enter the job market right after your studies is to undertake a traineeship at a company or organisation you’d one day like to work with. 

A traineeship is designed as a pre-employment young professional programme to train and provide initial work experience to students and recent graduates in that specific company and role. Traineeships can last anywhere from a few months to a year. Unlike most internships, traineeships offer better renumeration packages and are designed to train you for future or potential employment with that company or organisation. 

Turn your unpaid internship into a paid one!

Interested in applying for an internship at an international or European institution or organisation? Did you know that as a graduate from a Flemish university you can receive funding for a work placement lasting for two to six months at an approved multilateral organisation? Thanks to the Flanders Trainee Programme, if you secure an unpaid work training experience at one of the approved organisations, you can receive a travel and a cost-of-living subsidy commensurate with your length of stay and cost-of-living expectations for your organisation’s host country. The Flemish government also posts news about internships on its Facebook page. Make sure to follow or have a look!

Traineeship for graduated non-EEA citizens

Non-EEA citizens may undertake a traineeship in Belgium after their studies if certain conditions are met. A distinction is made between traineeships lasting more than 90 days or shorter, and traineeship employment by a Belgian company or by the Belgian government or an international organisation governed by an international treaty (e.g. NATO). In addition to the duration, type of traineeship/internship employment and age restrictions (see traineeship/internship in a private Belgian company), work permit conditions will also vary by region.

You found a traineeship/internship in a private Belgian company?
Conditions: 
  • You are no older than 30 years of age on the date of approval of the work permit/single permit. 
  • The traineeship/internship shows a continuation of your previous study (this is proven with a copy of your diploma).
  • You are not engaged in any other forms of employment in Belgium 
  • The traineeship/internship is full-time.
  • The traineeship/internship does not exceed 12 months.
  • You have a trainee/intern contract ( ‘convention d’immersion professionelle’ or ‘beroepsinlevingsstage’ are the typical contracts used)
  • There is an enumerated programme description of your training
Traineeships lasting less than 90 days

The company/organisation will have to apply for a work permit with the competent regional employment authority. 

Traineeships lasting longer than 90 days 

If your traineeship/internship will exceed 90 days, the company/organisation will have to apply for a single permit with the competent regional employment authority. 

In some cases, the application procedure for a single permit can take up to 4,5 months. It is important to be vigilant about applying on time to process your application as soon as possible. Please note, even if you are in Belgium, you can only start your traineeship/internship once the single permit has been issued.

You found a traineeship/internship with a Belgian government department, or an international organisation governed by an international treaty:
Procedure for less than 90 days: 
Procedure for more than 90 days: 

If your traineeship/internship will exceed 90 days, the government department/ organisation will have to apply for a single permit with the competent regional employment authority. 

In some cases, the application procedure for a single permit can take up to 4,5 months. It is important to be vigilant about applying on time to process your application as soon as possible. Please note, even if you are in Belgium, you can only start your traineeship/internship once the single permit has been issued.