Unieburger: seconded self-employed person
EU CITIZEN │ WORKING IN GENK WORKING AS A FREELANCER
This means that you will temporarily work in Belgium, but you remain self-employed in your home country.
You are coming temporarily to Belgium to carry out an assignment.
You remain registered as self-employed in your home country.
You are sent by a client or principal from another EU country.
You do not have to register in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (=KBO)
However, you do need an A1 certificate to prove that you are socially insured in your home country.
You want to establish yourself as a self-employed person in Belgium
In this case, you must go through the following procedure:
You must register with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (KBO).
You must join a social insurance fund.
You must open a business bank account,... .
I register as self-employed in Belgium
As an EU citizen or resident of Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland, you are allowed to work freely as a self-employed person in Belgium. You do not need a professional card.
Would you like to start working as an EU self-employed person in Belgium?
Then, in addition to your ‘appendix 19 - proof of registration’, you must also bring the following documents at your first registration:
Valid identity card or valid passport.
A registration with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises including an enterprise number or proof of exemption.
A proof of affiliation with a social insurance fund for self-employed persons.
PROCEDURE STARTING A BUSINESS OR BECOMING SELF-EMPLOYED
Would you like to work as a self-employed person as an EU citizen in Belgium? Then you need to follow the steps below to comply with Belgian legislation.
Follow these steps to become self-employed.
- Choose a business structure: sole proprietorship, company, or non-profit organization.
- Open a current account.
- Register with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (KBO).
- Activate your VAT number
- Join a social insurance fund.
- Pay your social contribution quarterly: this contribution is calculated based on your income and is meant to cover your social rights.
- Take out the necessary insurances, such as social insurance fund and health insurance fund.
You can always turn to a recognized enterprise counter.
Which insurance(s) do I need to take out?
As a starting self-employed person, you are legally required to take out several insurances. Which ones depend on the work you do and the sector you work in.
These insurances are always mandatory:
Professional liability insurance
For certain professions, intellectual or medical professions, (such as architects, doctors, midwives, insurance brokers, accountants, and people in construction, …) this insurance is mandatory. It covers damage you accidentally cause to others during your work.
Work accident insurance
This insurance is only mandatory if you employ staff. It protects your employees in case of income loss or medical costs after a work accident during work or commuting.
Third-party liability (TPL) for vehicles
This insurance is only mandatory if you use company vehicles. It covers bodily injury and material damage caused by your company vehicles to others.
Liability insurance for fire and explosion:
This insurance is mandatory if you receive customers such as in hospitality, shops, office buildings, sports halls, …)
Click here for more information about mandatory and recommended insurances.
These insurances are not mandatory, but recommended:
Fire insurance
This insurance covers damage caused by fire, lightning, water, or storm.
Business interruption insurance
If your business has to stop (temporarily), for example due to fire, you receive money to cover costs and compensate for losses.
Public liability insurance for operations
If an employee accidentally causes damage to someone else during work, this insurance covers it.
Guaranteed income insurance
If you are sick or have had an accident and cannot work for a while, you still receive a monthly salary.
Life insurance
If you pass away, your family or heirs receive money to ensure their financial protection.
RIGHTS & DUTIES Why do I have to pay social contributions?
Before you start as a self-employed person, you must register with a social insurance fund. From then on, you pay social contributions every 3 months.
Thanks to these contributions, you are protected if something goes wrong. The social insurance fund helps you, for example, if you get sick, are temporarily unable to work, or when you retire.
You are then entitled to assistance such as:
Reimbursement of medical expenses
Child benefits, maternity allowance, and adoption bonus
Leave for birth, adoption, or illness
An allowance if you are unable to work
Pension when you stop working
Support if you go bankrupt or have to close your business
Help with debts, fire, or natural disasters
Bereavement leave or care leave (informal care)