Requirements for a professional card
Foreign nationals who wish to pursue a self-employed professional activity in the territory of the Flemish Region require a professional card to do so. The self-employed activity must provide economic, innovative, sporting, cultural or artistic added value for Flanders.
Nationality of the entrepreneur
The professional card is mandatory if you are not a Belgian citizen and you are self-employed in the Flemish Region, regardless of the duration of your activity in Belgium.
However, some categories of foreigners are exempt from the professional card requirement, such as nationals of an or Switzerland, Ukrainian refugees under temporary protection, partners and family members of Belgian nationals, statutory refugees, etc.
Location of the self-employed activity
- The decision regarding the professional card falls under regional authority. Depending on the location where you wish to establish yourself as self-employed person, you must submit your application to the Flemish Region, the Walloon Region, the Brussels-Capital Region, or the German-speaking Community.
- Are you looking to establish your self-employment in the Flemish Region? Then you are required to submit your application for a professional card to the Flemish authorities. In that case, the address of the establishment unit (the operating address) of your self-employed professional activity is:
- in the
- and is recorded (or will be recorded) as such in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen).
- Does your company operate multiple sites across different regions and/or the German-speaking Community? In that case, your application will be reviewed by the region (or the German-speaking Community) in which the company’s headquarters are established.
- Do you not wish to establish yourself as self-employed in Flanders, but are or remain active as a self-employed person within a foreign company? You must then first establish a Belgian branch, subsidiary or separate company in order to obtain a professional card.
The contact details of the other regional economic migration services are listed below.
General terms and conditions for the entrepreneur
- You hold at minimum a level 4 qualification diploma (equivalent to secondary education).
- You have – from the granting of the professional card – stable, sufficient and regular means of subsistence to support yourself or your family. The amount of these means must be at least equal, net, to 110% of the guaranteed average monthly minimum income (GAMMI), as established in collective labour agreement No. 43 of 2 May 1988.
- You do not pose a threat to public order or security in Belgium.
- You comply with the applicable legal and regulatory obligations. This includes, among other things, registering as a starting entrepreneur in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen) and complying with tax obligations, social legislation, and the Belgian Code on Companies and Associations (if applicable).
- Your enterprise is economically viable and does not adversely affect the market or employment.
Conditions for activity and additional conditions for the entrepreneur
A self-employed professional activity includes any work (also freelance) that is not regarded as the employment of a worker performing services under the direction of an employer, whether within or outside an employment contract. This applies regardless of whether it involves a:
- business without legal personality, such as a partnership, or a natural person working as a self-employed individual within a one-man business.
- business with legal personality, such as a private limited company (BV/SRL) or a non-profit organisation (VZW/ASBL).
- new or existing company and/or establishment
- temporary or long-term activity.
The self-employed activity must provide economic, innovative, sporting, cultural or artistic added value for Flanders.
Requirement for the activity
Self-employed professional activities in this category are those that:
- generate jobs, either directly or indirectly, and entail investments
- or have a demonstrably positive effect on Flanders’ existing economic fabric.
For example: you set up a specialised construction company focusing on energy-efficient renovations of existing homes in Flanders. You collaborate with local contractors and suppliers of insulation materials, and you also hire additional staff.
Your activity has a positive impact on Flanders’ economic fabric because you:
- respond to the growing demand for sustainable renovation
- collaborate with Flemish suppliers and subcontractors
- generate additional employment
- contribute to energy and climate targets
In this way, your company strengthens both the construction sector and the broader Flemish economy.
Additional requirement for the entrepreneur
- You have start-up capital of at least 22,838 euros (amount may be indexed), held in a financial account in your own name.
- You have a complete business plan that includes at least the following elements:
- target market/target group
- market size
- competitive analysis
- A SWOT analysis outlining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
- marketing plan.
Requirement for the activity
Self-employed professional activities in this category are those that:
- develop new products, services or processes and converting them into added value for your company and for the economy
- or apply new or improved technologies to existing products, services, or processes and turn them into added value for your business as well as for the economy
- or entail cooperation with an:
- incubator or accelerator (in Dutch)
- organisation for research and knowledge dissemination.
Additional requirement for the entrepreneur
- You have a complete business plan that includes at least the following elements:
- target market/target group
- market size
- competitive analysis
- SWOT analysis outlining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
- marketing plan.
- You have a complete business plan that includes at least the following elements:
Requirement for the activity
Self-employed professional activities in this category are those:
- that relate to a branch of sport included on the list of sport branches (in Dutch) (in Dutch). Additionally, for that sport, there must be a shortage in Flanders of instructors, trainers, coaches, or sports supervisors qualified by the Flemish Trainers’ School
- that are carried out in a sports club affiliated with a recognised sports federation
- that involve the coaching of individual athletes or groups of athletes aged over 18 (except for identified top-level sports talents)
- where the coaching results in a sustainable improvement of the athletes’ sporting level.
Additional requirement for the entrepreneur
- You have a financial plan or liquidity forecast. It is recommended to use this template for a financial plan.
- You carry out the self-employed professional activity as an instructor, trainer, coach, or sports supervisor and hold a qualification from the Flemish Trainers’ School (or will acquire it within 12 months of applying).
Requirement for the entrepreneur
- You are collaborating with an organisation in the Flemish cultural or artistic sector, or can show evidence of a planned future collaboration.
- You can provide a curriculum vitae or portfolio that demonstrates your special affinity with the cultural or artistic field.
- You have a financial plan or liquidity forecast. It is recommended to use this template for a financial plan.
Applying for, renewing or amending a professional card
Applications
The individual intending to practise the self-employed professional activity in the Flemish Region (or their authorised representative) is required to apply for a professional card. You may only start the self-employed professional activity after the professional card has been granted. Please note that completing the entire application procedure takes at least two months.
Renewal or amendment
The professional card is not valid indefinitely. Submit your application in good time if you wish to renew, amend or replace your professional card.