Requirements for starting a business
Are you interested in starting a sole proprietorship, a company, an association, or a foundation in Belgium? Before getting started, you need to check that you meet all the requirements for carrying out the business you are starting.
Check the general requirements for starting your business
In Belgium, the requirements that must be met are divided into three categories: requirements related to the individual, requirements related to your nationality, and requirements related to your occupation.
If you have questions about certain aspects of your project, there are various resources available to help you in all three regions.
Requirements related to the individual
- Be at least 18 years old or be emancipated.
- Enjoy civil rights: individuals sentenced to a criminal penalty may not engage in self-employed professional activities during the term of their sentence.
- Be legally competent: individuals who have been declared legally incompetent, who have been barred from practising their profession, or who are under judicial supervision may no longer engage in activities related to self-employment.
Requirements related to your nationality
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You are not required to have a professional card if you are a Belgian national or a national of one of the Member States of the European Economic Area (the countries of the European Union plus Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein) or Switzerland.
- You are required to have a professional card if you are not a Belgian national or a national of one of the Member States of the European Economic Area (the countries of the European Union plus Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein) or Switzerland. You can apply for this card from the region where you are establishing your business.
Requirements related to your occupation
These requirements only apply to certain categories of self-employed individuals and are related to:
- Proof of professional skills for certain occupations in the Walloon Region and the Brussels-Capital Region.
- The requirements for practising or using the title of a liberal or intellectual profession.
- Obtaining specific licenses and permits for certain service providers.
What opportunities are available based on your profile?
In Belgium, each individual situation presents different opportunities and challenges. For example, being able to start a business as a student or keep your unemployment benefits while launching your business.
- Are you a student? As a student, you either pay no social security contributions or you pay less, as long as your income remains below a certain threshold.
- Are you already employed or retired? If you are self-employed as a secondary occupation, you are subject to the social security status for self-employed workers. However, you will continue to receive, as a priority, the social security benefits provided by the scheme you are subject to, based on your primary occupation or status.
- Are you unemployed? In some cases, you can start a business while continuing to receive a portion of your unemployment benefits — for example, through the programme known as “Tremplin-indépendants" (springboard – self-employed).
- Are you receiving benefits if you're unable to work? You can also work as a self-employed individual as your secondary occupation under certain conditions, such as approval from the medical advisor.
- Are you joining your partner's sole proprietorship? As an assisting spouse, you work in the business without being its manager and accrue your own social rights.
- Are you a European citizen looking to start a business in Belgium? As a European citizen, you have the same opportunities as Belgian citizens when it comes to starting a business, thanks to the legislation governing the European Single Market. Make sure you have your professional qualifications recognised for regulated professions.
Frequently asked questions
What requirements must I meet to start a business in Belgium?
To work as a self-employed individual, you must meet a few basic requirements. For example, you must be at least 18 years old, legally competent, and not prohibited from engaging in self-employment. Certain activities or professions are subject to additional requirements.
Can I start a business in Belgium as a student?
Yes. As a student, you can start a business under the "self-employed student" status. As long as your income remains below certain limits, you pay fewer or no social security contributions.
Can I start a business in Belgium if I'm unemployed?
In some cases, yes. Thanks to programs such as the "Tremplin-Indépendants" initiative, you can temporarily start a self-employed business while continuing to receive a portion of your unemployment benefits.
Can I start a business in Belgium if I already have a job?
Yes. You can start a business as your secondary occupation if you are already an employee. You keep your salary and generally pay less in social security contributions than someone who is self-employed as their primary occupation.
Can I start a business in Belgium if I'm a European citizen?
Yes. As a European citizen, you can start your own business in Belgium. You are free to start a new business or expand the operations of your existing business. You will then need to meet certain requirements depending on your choice.