Belgium Professional Card for Self-Employed Foreigners

Written by Mike Arnold Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Mike Arnold

Mike is a freelance writer with eight years of experience and a love for travel, all things business, tabletop games and green tea.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: September 12, 2024

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025

If you're a non-EU citizen with big plans for a freelance career, the Belgium Professional Card is your golden ticket. This essential document paves the way for you to be your own boss, build a business, or represent other business interests within the Brussels Capital region.

This isn't just another work permit — it's the authorisation for foreign nationals to launch their freelance careers in Belgium. It not only legalises your status as a self-employed individual but also opens doors to various business opportunities within the country.

 

Eligibility requirements

As a general rule, you need a Professional Card if you:

• Want to work as a self-employed professional in the Brussels-Capital region
• Want to set up a business as a natural person (someone with their own legal personality)
• Act as an agent of a company or association (paid or unpaid)
• Are not a Belgian national
• Are not a citizen of an EU/EEA country (European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) or Switzerland

To ensure you're eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must have a right of residence in Belgium already. If you don't have this, you must apply for it via the Consular or relevant diplomatic representation while applying for your professional card.
• You must be in compliance with the regulatory obligations of the country, specifically the professional activity-related ones.
• The business you're running must be in accordance with benefitting the Brussels Capital region.

That said, there are some exemptions to the Professional Card you need to be aware of.

Exemptions from the professional card requirement

• Holders of a valid Belgian identity card for foreign nationals or a valid and permanent CIRE(certificat d'inscription au registre des étrangers)

• Certain family members of EU/EEA nationals, including:

  ◦ Spouses

  ◦ Descendants or spouse's descendants under 21 or dependent on them

  ◦ Dependent parents or spouse's parents (except for students' parents)

  ◦ Spouses of the above-mentioned descendants and parents

• Certain family members of Belgian citizens, including:

  ◦ Spouses

  ◦ Dependent descendants of the Belgian or their spouse under 21

  ◦ Dependent parents of the Belgian or their spouse

  ◦ Spouses of the above-mentioned descendants and parents

• Refugees recognised by Belgian authorities
• Partners assisting or replacing their spouses in self-employed professional activities
• Foreign nationals on business trips not exceeding 90 consecutive days
• Foreign lecturers staying for less than 90 consecutive days
• Foreign journalists whose main residence is not in Belgium, staying for less than 90 consecutive days
• Foreign athletes and their self-employed assistants staying for less than 90 consecutive days
• Foreign artists and their self-employed assistants staying for less than 90 consecutive days
• Foreign students on internships required by their studies
• Foreign nationals on approved internships within development cooperation or reciprocal exchange programs
• Independent executives and researchers working for coordination centres under Royal Decree n° 187 of 30 December 1982

Check these over and make sure you're applying for the Professional Card if you need to. If you can take the right path initially, it will simplify the application process dramatically.

The application process for the Belgium professional card

When making your first request for a Professional Card, there are two options to consider:

• If living abroad: Apply at the Belgian consular or diplomatic representation in your country of residence.
• If living in Belgium: Apply at a recognised enterprise counter if you have a valid "model A registration certificate" or a valid certificate of registration with the Register of foreign nationals.

Required documents

Every Professional Card application must include the right documentation, fully completed, dated, and signed. But it varies depending on the option you choose above.

• If you live aboard, you must fill in this form (available in French or Dutch)
• If you live in Belgium AND you have a valid certificate of registration, you'll fill in this form, either in French or Dutch.

Then, regardless of whether you're in Belgium currently or living abroad, your application will need to include:

• Extract from criminal record (certificate of good conduct)
• Copy of your identity card
• Two identity photos
• Business plan (maximum 20 pages)
• Any other documents relevant to your application (you'll be notified by the Brussels Economy and Employment department).

Application fees

• Initial application fee: €140 (paid when submitting your application to the Enterprise Counter or representation)
• Card issuance fee: €90 per year of validity (paid when the card is issued)

Processing time & process

The processing time varies but usually takes up to 120 days (between 2 - 6 months).

During this time, Brussels Economy and Employment will assess your application based on three main criteria:

1. Right of residence
2. Compliance with regulatory obligations
3. Relevance of your project to the Brussels-Capital Region

After assessment, you'll be notified of the decision through the consular/diplomatic representation or enterprise counter where you applied.

Remember: Start your application process well in advance of your planned business activities in Belgium to allow for processing time.

Upon receiving your professional card

If your application is successful, there are a few steps you'll need to take before carrying out independent professional activities within Belgium. These include:

• Obtaining your own enterprise number from the Enterprise counter
• Registering with the Enterprise Crossroads Bank
• Register for VAT
• Register with a social insurance fund specifically for self-employed workers

If you're responsible for the daily management of a company while acting as an agent, an executive partner, or director, or employing any personnel, there are a few other actions to potentially take, which can be foundhere under the "Are there any other conditions that you need to fulfil before carrying out an independent professional activity?" section.

Validity and renewal

Belgium's Professional Card is valid for up to five years upon application, but the initial card will only be valid for a 2-year probation period.

As long as you have stuck to the rules and met all regulatory, tax, and social security obligations during this time, you'll be able to renew your Professional Card to extend the duration of your stay.

You must make sure you're renewing your card at least three months before the card is set to expire at the Enterprise Counter in which you applied for the card originally.

The validity of your card is, however, dependent on your right to residency in Belgium.

To renew your card, you'll need the same documentation as when you apply (see the documentation section above), plus:

• Your original Professional Card
• Updated business plan (maximum 20 pages)
• Proof of meeting tax and social obligations:

• Tax declarations for the last two years

  ◦ Declarations of no debts from tax authorities and social security

  ◦ Proof of economic value:

• Tax statements for the last two years

  ◦ Balance sheets and income statements (for companies)

  ◦ Sales and receipts books (for the last two years)

The renewal fee is €140 when submitting the application, but there is no additional fee for issuing the card.

Important: If your right of residence is revoked, your Professional Card becomes invalid and must be returned to an enterprise counter.

What if my professional card application is rejected?

If your Professional Card application is rejected, you have the right to appeal.

To begin the process, you must appeal to the Minister within 30 days of receiving the rejection notification. You can write an appeal letter to the Minister of Employment of the Brussels Capital Region.

You must include:

• A clearly stated reason for appealing
• Write in French or Dutch (you can use a translation service)
• Sign the letter
• Send by registered mail

The Minister will then review your appeal, make a decision and notify you of the outcome.

If the decision is still rejected, you can appeal to the Council of State. This appeal must be made within 60 days of receiving the Minister's decision and must follow the predefined procedures.

If rejected, or you accept the initial rejection, you may reapply only two years after your previous application date.

You may only reapply immediately if:

• The refusal was due to inadmissibility
• You have new evidence to support your application
• You're applying for a different professional activity

Appeals do not have any fees, but a reapplication costs the standard application fee as outlined above.

As of September 2024, this is €140.

Important notes:

• Always provide comprehensive information and documentation in your appeal or new application
• Consider seeking legal or visa consultation advice for complex cases
• Continue to comply with all immigration laws while your appeal is pending

Remember: The appeal process allows you to present additional information or clarify misunderstandings. Prepare your appeal carefully to maximise your chances of a favourable outcome.

Obtaining a Professional Card is a crucial step towards establishing your business in Belgium. While the process may seem complex, it opens doors to numerous opportunities in one of Europe's most dynamic economies.

Need expert guidance?

We can put you in touch with a team of experienced immigration consultants who can help you navigate the application process, ensuring you meet all requirements and maximise your chances of approval.

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