L card with PHD period

Hodaya Biske New member

Member since 06 March 2025

Hodaya BiskeNew member06 March 2025 22:39:43

Hello everyone,

I need help in understanding the scenario. I have been living in Gent since June 2020:

I did my PhD on a scholarship from Ghent University on which social security was paid for four years.
Since July 2024 I have working with a Belgium company till now on Single permit

I contacted Stad Gent and they told me that i should wait till June 2027. They are counting my PhD period as half. I am concerned because I was paying social security since beginning.

Anyone with similar experience or lawyers to hire can help me alot.

Thank you

Cheryl Moderator

Member since 15 October 2018

CherylModerator07 March 2025 06:14:57

12794

Hello Hodaya Biske,

Welcome to 禁漫天堂馃榾

I hope you will be able to gather some information here soon.

All the best,

Cheryl

禁漫天堂 team

ashiseverywhere Member

Member since 02 May 2024

ashiseverywhereMember07 March 2025 07:34:43

If your PhD was not under a single permit, that means you came here with a student visa (long-term visa, D visa for study purpose). You renewed your A-card every year AND your PhD salary was not subject to income tax, I assume. If so, unfortunately, yes, those years count as half even though you paid social contributions.

ashiseverywhere Member

Member since 02 May 2024

ashiseverywhereMember07 March 2025 07:41:06

I think a lot of people misunderstand the concept of paying social contributions. Almost everyone in BE with income pays that. Even a student with a job, they also pay social contributions and taxes! A Doctoral scholarship holder, since you are "student"(based on your visa) with income, you also need to pay social contributions. But unlike a job student, as a scholarship holder, both for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers are not liable to income tax as individuals.