VDAB flexi-jobs: how to find and compare them by municipality

What are VDAB flexi-jobs and why start your search here?

Flexi-jobs are the ideal way to earn extra income without paying taxes on your wages. You can find them in hospitality, bakeries, as a driver, or even in healthcare. The VDAB website is one of the largest job boards in Flanders and therefore a logical starting point. But what many people don't know: you need to set extra filters to see only flexi-jobs. And not every employer posts their flexi-job vacancy there, think of small cafés or neighbourhood shops that simply put up a note. That's why it's smart to use both VDAB and a local overview like ours. More about what exactly a flexi-job is.

Step by step: how to find a flexi-job on the VDAB website

Go to vdab.be and type 'flexi-job' in the search bar or immediately choose the 'Contract type' filter and tick 'Flexi-job'. You can now add your region or municipality. Don't have a VDAB profile yet? You can create one quickly, it's free and you don't need to be job-seeking. Upload your CV right away, it increases your chances. The VDAB app on your smartphone works just as smoothly. And honestly: who doesn't dream of a flexi-job in a bakery, so you can smell fresh bread every morning?

• Step 1: Go to vdab.be and click on 'Jobs'.
• Step 2: Type a keyword like 'flexi' in the search field or leave it empty to see everything.
• Step 3: Click on 'Filter' and turn on 'Flexi-job' under 'Contract type'.
• Step 4: Choose your desired location, for example 'Kortrijk' or 'Antwerp'.
• Step 5: Scroll through the results and click on the jobs that look interesting.

You can also save the search so you receive an email when new vacancies appear. Note: VDAB sometimes also shows regular vacancies containing the word 'flexible', so always check the contract type in the vacancy text.

Who are VDAB flexi-jobs suitable for?

Anyone who works at least 4/5th for another employer can take on a flexi-job. Pensioners are also eligible, making it an attractive option for those who want to stay active after retirement. VDAB does not make a decision on this; it's up to you and the employer to check whether you meet the conditions for a flexi-job. This means the vacancies on VDAB are open to a broad group, but you must be able to prove that you qualify. Employers often state in the vacancy what they expect: 'flexi-job for students' or 'pensioners welcome'. So always read the description carefully. For those over 65 there is an extra advantage: you can earn unlimited extra income without endangering your pension.

The advantages and pitfalls of VDAB flexi-jobs

Why should you use VDAB for your search? The supply is large and you know the vacancies come from real employers. The site is updated daily and you can apply with one click. But there are also caveats.

The plus points at a glance

• Large supply: hundreds of vacancies across Flanders.
• Reliability: VDAB screens employers, so you never call a shady character.
• User-friendly: filters, saved searches and email alerts.

The downsides you should know

• Not all flexi-jobs are listed: small employers often avoid VDAB.
• Noise: you also see non-flexi-jobs if you don't filter properly.
• No check on your status: you need to know yourself whether you qualify.
• Turnover: vacancies sometimes stay up too long, causing you to respond to a filled job.

And there are general disadvantages to the flexi-job itself: you don't build up additional social rights and the employer can unilaterally cancel your hours. No panic: for most side-jobbers the advantages far outweigh the downsides. That's why we built a local platform that exclusively shows flexi-jobs per municipality. Discover our local approach per municipality. We check vacancies daily at employers you won't find anywhere else, from the bakery around the corner to the event company in your village.

Search locally: flexi-jobs in your municipality on VDAB

VDAB lets you filter by postal code or municipality. That's handy if you know exactly which municipality you want to work in. But the supply can vary: in central cities like Ghent or Antwerp you see dozens of jobs, while in rural municipalities the list is shorter. Moreover, some employers are active in multiple municipalities but only list one location. Want to work on Saturday? Then combine the 'Saturday work' filter with your municipality. That way you can find, for example, a flexi-job as a waiter on Saturday in Bruges, or a driver job on Saturday in Hasselt. Still, manually entering each municipality remains cumbersome. Our system immediately shows you all flexi-jobs within a 10-kilometre radius, without you having to enter all surrounding municipalities yourself. That way you never miss an opportunity.

Flexi-job in your province: the favourite sectors

In Antwerp, hospitality and the event sector are buzzing. Limburg, on the other hand, has high demand in logistics and fruit growing. East Flanders combines urban hospitality with rural bakeries. Flemish Brabant sees many flexi-jobs in healthcare and at SMEs. West Flanders runs on coastal tourism and agriculture. Regardless of your region: on VDAB you'll find a cross-section, but for the complete picture you should also check our per-municipality overview.

From search to flexi-job: increasing your chances

Found a nice vacancy? Respond quickly and with a personal message. Flexi-job employers often look for someone who can start immediately. Emphasise your availability and why you're keen on that specific job. Check out our application tips for flexi-jobs. In your message, concretely explain why you're suitable: do you have hospitality experience? Mention it. Are you handy and do you like odd jobs? Let them know. That way the employer remembers your message among the dozens of responses. Because you don't have fixed hours with a flexi-contract, it's important to make clear agreements: on which days, how many hours, and what the wage is. Know that the gross wage equals the net wage, you pay no taxes or social contributions. That's what makes a flexi-job so attractive: every euro you earn goes entirely into your account.

VDAB flexi-jobs and the broad Flemish supply: overview per region

Every Flemish region has its own accents. In West Flanders you'll find many flexi-jobs in coastal hospitality and agriculture, while Limburg excels in logistics and fruit growing. Antwerp and East Flanders have a mix of hospitality, events and healthcare. By combining the VDAB search with our local overview, you get the best of both worlds: a reliable source and a hyperlocal match. Whether you live in Hasselt, Bruges or Aalst: your flexi-job is closer than you think.