Table of Contents
In order to become self-employed , you must meet certain requirements.
Conditions Related to the Person
Before undertaking any steps, be aware that certain legal requirements must be met:
- You must have reached the legal majority of 18 years of age;
- You must not have been declared legally incapable or placed under judicial supervision;
- You must enjoy your civil and political rights;
- You must not have been banned from carrying out acts relating to a self-employed professional activity.
Conditions Related to Citizenship
Professional Card
If you do not have Belgian citizenship or citizenship 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 must be in possession of a professional card in order to be able to work as a self-employed person in Belgium. However, you may qualify for an exemption.
An exemption is granted to the beneficiaries of the agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union (Royal Decree of 24 December 2020 amending the Royal Decree of 8 October 1981).
The regions are responsible for granting professional cards.
You must apply for a professional card through:
- an accredited enterprise counter of your choice, if you are already a resident in Belgium, have a valid ‘model A registration certificate’ or a ‘certificate of registration in the register of foreign nationals’ and wish to carry on your business activity in the Walloon Region;
- an accredited enterprise counter of your choice if you are already a resident in Belgium, have a right of residence or a temporary, limited or permanent residence permit, with the exception of a short stay, and wish to carry on your business activity in the Brussels-Capital Region;
- a dedicated online application if you are already legally resident in Belgium and wish to work in the Flemish Region;
- the Belgian diplomatic or consular post in your country of residence, if you live abroad.
Recognition of Professional Qualifications
If you are a professional from an EU Member State, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you do not need a professional card to exercise your activity in Belgium. However, as certain professions are regulated, you should first check whether your professional qualifications are recognised within the country.
For more information, please contact "Be Assist", the Belgian support centre for the recognition of professional qualifications.
National Coordination of the Directive on the Recognition of Professional Qualifications
The FPS Economy has been entrusted with the national coordination of the directive on the recognition of professional qualifications.
Conditions Relating to the Activity
In addition to the conditions applicable to all entrepreneurs, there are specific formalities to be completed by certain categories of self-employed persons. These formalities relate to:
- the entrepreneurial capacities to be proven (basic management knowledge and possibly professional skills);
- the conditions to be met for practising or holding the title of a liberal profession or an intellectual service providing profession;
- obtaining specific licences and authorisations.
Entrepreneurial Skills
The Regions are responsible for the access to certain professions.
In the Flemish Region, the requirements for basic management knowledge and professional skills have been removed. In the Brussels-Capital Region, the requirements for basic management knowledge have been abolished since 15 January 2024. Therefore, the conditions of access to certain professions may vary from one region to another. The business counters will provide you with information regarding the current legislation.
Liberal and Intellectual Professions
The term "liberal professions" generally covers self-employed activities involving the provision of intellectual services or the supply of specific goods.
The conditions to be met for the exercise and/or use of the title vary depending on the liberal or intellectual profession in question. The FPS Economy is responsible for the regulatory framework relating to the following professions.
- Real estate agents
- Expert surveyors
- Chartered accountants and tax accountants
- Auditors
- Psychologists
- Architects
- Automotive experts
Other liberal and intellectual professions, especially those in the legal, medical, and paramedical fields, are regulated by the FPS Justice and Public Health.
Using Professional Titles
In Belgium, some professions are regulated and the use of certain professional titles is protected. It means that only those who meet the conditions can use these titles.
Find out more about using professional titles.
Specific Licenses and Authorisations
Some activities require specific licences or authorisations:
- Marriage brokerage
- The sale of timeshares
- Credit brokerage
- The registration of company service providers
More Information?
The public services have set up several websites to help you clarify your project and provide you with information about the administrative procedures, financing options, available aid, possible risks, etc.
The federal portal belgium.be has a detailed section on setting up a business.
You can obtain additional information specific to the regions by consulting various portals of the regional authorities:
You can also contact various professional bodies, in the private or public sector, for information and specialist advice. In particular, inter-professional and professional organisations of the self-employed and SMEs provide support services for setting up a business.
The business counters are also the main point of contact for aspiring entrepreneurs: they are your one-stop shop for answers to the various questions you may have and for carrying out the administrative formalities required when launching your business activity.
