Scholarship and salary information for non-E.E.A. Citizens

The following table reflects the different scholarship and salary scales implemented at K.U.Leuven depending on the official
status of international guests at K.U.Leuven and their corresponding research and study activity. Further, the different fiscal
realities (social security, income tax, work permit) depending on an international guest's official status and citizenship are
indicated. Lastly, the table mentions the respective Office that is responsible for the administration of scholarships or salaries.
If relevant in your case, please consult the information for E.E.A. citizens

Titles

Status in Belgium and at K.U.Leuven

Scholarship and salary scale based on type of research
A = Independent, fundamental research (type BOF, IUAP, FWO)
B = Project oriented research under supervision (type industrial projects IWT and EU)
NON-E.E.A. Citizens

Coordinating Office

 

 

Research

Financing

Scale

Social Security in Belgium

Taxes in Belgium

Work Permit in Belgium

Health Insurance in Belgium

 

Exchange
Students

Student

Exchange programme

Scholarship

Usually determined by the exchange programme

Exempt

Exempt

No

Cf. Student

Visiting Scholar/
Fellow

Guest - Non-EEA: max 3 months
EEA: max 6 months

A

Monthly or daily allowance
Possible A

None

Exempt

Exempt

No

Cf. Guest

International Office: IAM

Bachelor’s/
Master’s Student

Student

Academic programme
Scholarship possible

Min. € 860

Exempt

Exempt

No

Cf. Student

International Office: IAM
International Scholar

Student

A

Scholarship possible

Min. € 860

Exempt

Exempt

No

Cf. Student

International Office: IAM

Specialisation Student

Student

Specialisation and observers’ programme

Scholarship possible

Min. € 860

Exempt

Exempt

No

Cf. Student

International Office: IAM

Predoctoral Student

Student

A

Scholarship possible

Min. € 860

Exempt

Exempt

No

Cf. Student

International Office: IAM

Doctoral Student

Student

A

Doctoral scholarship possible

EEA:
100% net salary
of Assistant

Subjected to Reduced Social Security**

Exempt for a max. of 4 years

No

With scholarship: As a Belgian employee

EEA: Human Resources Department

Non-EEA: min. 75% or 90% or 95% or max.100% net salary of Assistant + allowances****

Self-supporting:
Cf. Student

Non-EEA:
International Office: IAM

 

Scientific Collaborator

B

Salary mandatory

Min. scale of Assistant

Subject to Full Social Security***

Yes

Yes

As a Belgian
employee

Human Resources
Department

Postdoctoral Fellow

Researcher

A

Postdoctoral scholarship in international mobility

min. 100% net salary of assistant

Subject to Reduced Social
Security**

Exempted in
Belgium

No
(hosting
agreement)

As a Belgian
employee

Human Resources
Department

Research Associate

Researcher

B

Salary

Min. scale of Assistant

Subject to Full
Social Security***

Yes

No
(hosting
agreement)

As a Belgian
employee

Human Resources
Department

Self-supporting Researcher or Free Associate

Researcher

A & B

External scholarship or salary

EEA: None

NA

NA

Yes

Private
insurance

Human Resources
Department

Non-EEA: External salary must
be min. 100% net salary of
Assistant

Visiting Professor

Visiting Professor

Research and/or Teaching

Salary

Ordinary scales of Professor

Subject to Full
Social Security***

Yes

Yes

As a Belgian
employee

Human Resources
Department

Special Visiting Professor
(unsalaried)

Visiting Professor

Research and/or Teaching

Possible daily allowance up to
40 days and continued salary
by institution

None

NA

NA

Yes

Private
insurance

Human Resources
Department


** Reduced Social Security covers health insurance, child allowance, occupational hazard and occupational illness. Citizens of non-EEA countries with
bilateral agreements with Belgium on social security are covered with Full Social Security.
*** Full Social Security covers health insurance, child allowance, occupational hazard, occupational illness and unemployment and retirement benefits.
**** 100%: no allowances / 90-95%: limited allowances / 75%: all allowances (e.g. installation allowance, housing allowance, shipping allowance).