You can exercise a self-employed activity in Belgium if you comply with the regulatory obligations and if you can demonstrate the importance of your activity for the region in terms of economic value (for instance job creation, useful investments, innovative character, social or cultural value, etc.).
If you fulfil the conditions, you will be issued a long stay visa type D, a professional card and a residence permit.
Certain categories of foreign nationals are exempted from the requirement to hold a professional card.
Where and how to apply | You need to apply for an authorisation to exercise a self-employed activity to the Belgian diplomatic or consular postSearch for available translations of the preceding link of your place of residence. You should submit a number of documents, including proof of payment of the administrative fee (see ‘Documents required’). The diplomatic or consular post will send your application to the department of economic migration of the region where you intend to operate: Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels Capital Region or the German-speaking Community. The competent regional authority issues an authorisation to exercise a self-employed activity. Visa D To obtain a visa D to travel to Belgium, you need to submit an application containing all required documents (cf. ‘Documents required’) to the Belgian diplomatic or consular post of your place of residence. The authorities take your fingerprints and a digital photo. You can check the status of your visa application online by entering your reference number and the location of the diplomatic or consular post. |
Documents required | To apply for an authorisation to exercise a self-employed activity and an authorisation to stay, you need to submit:
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Further requirements | Registration After your arrival in Belgium, you need to register at the municipality of your place of residence within 8 working days. Professional card To obtain your professional card, you need to register at the enterprise counter mentioned on your application form and pay a fee of EUR 90 for each year. Residence permit After obtaining your professional card, you need to register at the municipality of your place of residence. The municipality issues a residence permit for a limited period of time (A-card). |
Duration of validity of permit | The professional card is granted for a maximum period of 5 years. In general, the initial card is valid for 2 years. |
Conditions for renewal | You need to apply for renewal to your enterprise counter at the latest 3 months before your professional card expires. The authorities renew your professional card if you comply with the regulatory, fiscal and social security obligations and if you meet the criterion of importance for the region in terms of economic value. If you apply for renewal of your professional card, you need to pay a fee of EUR 140. To obtain your professional card, you need to register at the enterprise counter mentioned on your application form and pay a fee of EUR 90 for each year. |
Appeals | If your application for authorisation to exercise a self-employed activity has been rejected by the regional authority, you can appeal this decision before the competent appeal body within 30 days after you received the decision. You can lodge an appeal against this decision before the Council of State within 60 days after you received the decision. If your application for authorisation to stay has been rejected by the Immigration Office, you can appeal this decision before the Council for Alien Law Litigation (CALL) within 30 days after you received the decision. |
Further information | Coming to work in BelgiumSearch for available translations of the preceding link Doing business in BelgiumSearch for available translations of the preceding link Professional card in FlandersSearch for available translations of the preceding link Professional card in Brussels Capital Region Professional card in German-speaking Community Visa applicationSearch for available translations of the preceding link |
Change of business activities | The professional card authorises you to exercise a specific activity in a certain capacity. If you want to change activities, you must apply for a new professional card to the competent regional authority. |
Change of status | If your personal situation or purpose of stay changes during your legal stay in Belgium, you can apply for most other statuses. |
Family members | Your family members have a right to stay in Belgium if they meet the conditions for family reunificationSearch for available translations of the preceding link. |
Long-term residence | You can apply for EU long-term resident status after 5 years of uninterrupted legal stay in Belgium, provided you have sufficient, regular and stable means of subsistence and health insurance. |
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