Unemployment and volunteering

Declare the activity

Before volunteering for an organisation, submit C45B through your benefits payment body (CAPAC/HVW or trade union), ensuring it reaches the unemployment office before the activity starts. C45A applies to voluntary help for a private individual. Changes in the activity’s nature or frequency require a new advance declaration.

An organisation’s general authorisation waives individual declarations only if it expressly says so. Follow the authorisation’s limits and ONEM/RVA instructions for your control card.

Expense reimbursement in 2026

Volunteering is unpaid. For calendar year 2026, ordinary flat-rate expenses are capped at €44.02 a day and €1,760.83 a year across all organisations. Both limits apply.

Alternatively, actual expenses can be reimbursed against evidence. Do not freely combine the two systems in the same year; a regulated exception exists for certain travel expenses.

A higher annual cap of €3,233.91 in 2026 applies to specified roles, notably in sport or care. It is not automatic; the higher sports cap excludes volunteers receiving social-security or social-assistance benefits. Check your eligibility before using it.

Amounts are indexed: check the year in which the activities occur. Exceeding a limit can affect tax treatment and benefit entitlement.

Content updated on 15 October 2026.

Sources and resources

• ONEM / RVA — T42
• SPF Finances / FPS Finance / FOD Financiën
• PFV — défraiements / expenses / kostenvergoedingen

Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0