The headline gross salary of an IT developer in Belgium is only the tip of the iceberg. The real cost of a CDI hire, especially in the first year, is much higher than most hiring managers assume.
Full CDI cost breakdown
| Item | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Gross salary | €5,500 |
| Employer ONSS (~27%) | €1,485 |
| Double holiday pay provision (~1.18%) | €65 |
| 13th month provision (~8.33%) | €458 |
| Benefits (meal vouchers , insurance , etc.) | €519 |
| Total fully loaded | €8,027 |
Note
Double holiday pay is provisioned at ~1.18% of gross salary per month (€65) and paid as a lump sum in May or June. The 13th month bonus is provisioned at 8.33% per month (€458) and paid in November or December. Both are legally required under CP200.
One off recruitment costs
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Agency fee (18 to 22% of annual gross) | €11,880 to €14,520 |
| Onboarding, training, equipment | €3,000 to €6,000 |
Real first year monthly cost
Fully loaded, a €5,500 gross CDI hire costs approximately €8,027 per month, or €96,324 per year. Spread across 12 months including one off recruitment and onboarding costs, the first year cost lands at approximately €9,500 to €10,000 per month all in.
Cost of a bad hire
Hidden risk
A bad hire in IT typically costs €40,000 to €80,000 once you add lost productivity, project delays and re recruitment.
Umbrella payroll alternative
At €500 per day an umbrella payroll consultant costs €10,000 per month invoiced, with zero recruitment fee, zero onboarding risk and full flexibility to end the mission. The comparison rarely goes in favour of immediate CDI hiring for project based work.
This article is for informational purposes only. Consult a certified accountant for personalised fiscal advice.