A paid athlete must earn at least 11,040 euros

A worker who meets certain conditions is considered a paid athlete. One of these conditions is that the athlete must earn more than a specific annual minimum amount. This amount is adjusted every year on 1 July.

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Who is a paid sports practitioner?

To be considered a paid sports practitioner, a wage-earner sports practitioner must meet two conditions.

Firstly, sports practitioners must undertake the obligation to prepare for or participate in a sports competition or exhibition under the authority of another person.
In addition, they must receive a minimum annual pay. This amount is adjusted every year on 1 July.

This amount includes all sums to which the sports practitioner is entitled: the fixed monthly pay, as well as variable elements such as match bonuses, benefit in kind, travel allowances, profit bonuses, and the reimbursement of expenses.

Paid sports practitioners fall under joint committee 223 and are subject to the Law of 24 February 1978 concerning the labour contract for paid sports practitioners.

This law also applies to football coaches, football referees, as well as coaches in basketball, volleyball and cycling, provided that their pay reaches the minimum amount mentioned above.

The amount on 1 July 2026

The annual amount has remained unchanged since 1 July 2022 at €11,040 and is valid from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.

What does Securex do for you?

Do you have any questions about this topic? You can consult our extensive file on Lex 4 You.

Are you responsible for a professional sports club and would you like a sample labour contract for paid sports practitioners? Your Legal Advisor will be happy to assist you. You can contact them via myHR@securex.be.