ready. You are currently on: Applying for your first professional card

Applying for your first 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. You will need a number of documents to prove that you meet the conditions.

Choose where you want to establish your activity

Do you wish to carry out your self-employed activity in the Flemish Region? Then submit your application for a professional card to the Flemish authorities.
Otherwise, you can apply to one of the other regional authorities.

Check whether you are eligible for an exemption

You may be exempt from the obligation to apply for a professional card on the basis of your nationality, residence status or activity. In that case, you do not need to provide a specific document: the exemption is based on the circumstances and, if required, can be proven with, for example, a particular residence document.

If you are exempt from the professional card, you may still need to submit Limosa declarations through the federal government’s digital portal in certain cases, specifically if your self-employed activity is in one of the three risk sectors: meat processing, construction and cleaning.

Collect the necessary documents

When applying for a professional card for the first time, you will always need the following documents to prove your eligibility.

  • Copy of your foreign identity card or your international passport.
  • Criminal record extract – dated within the last six months, issued by the competent authority or authorities of the country where you are legally permitted to reside.
  • A copy of your diploma – at a minimum qualification level 4 (equivalent to secondary education).
  • Proof that you have or will have stable, sufficient and regular means of subsistence to support yourself or your family (the reference framework is 110% of the living wage; as of 1 March 2026, this amounts to €26,086.66), starting from the date the professional card is granted. From April 2026 onwards, this is 2,408.79 euros.
  • A full business plan – containing at least the following elements:
    • target market/target group
    • market size
    • competitive analysis
    • A SWOT analysis outlining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats
    • marketing plan.

Businesses with a sporting, artistic or cultural added value may limit themselves to a financial plan or cash flow forecast. For each category, use the financial plan template provided.

Attach the additional documents listed below, as required by the category of your self-employed activity, legal form and position.

Additional documents

  • Only if you have legal residence in Belgium, add the following:

    • Copy of your valid Belgian residence permit , specifically one of the following documents:
      • proof of registration in the foreigners register (= electronic residence card type A)
      • European blue card (= electronic residence permit type H)
      • declaration of arrival (= annex 3)
      • special identity card for diplomatic personnel
        We recommend that before applying for a professional card, you check with the Protocol (federal service Foreign Affairs) whether your diplomatic identity card will be withdrawn in the event of the professional card being granted.
      • provisional residence permit (Annex 15)

        The so-called ‘orange card’ or ‘attest van immatriculatie’ is not recognised as valid residence for the purpose of applying for a professional card.

        If you hold Annex 3 or a special identity card for diplomatic personnel, you must first activate your digital keys at a registration office.
        More information: How can I use the government’s online services without an eID?

    More information about the different residence permits: Electronic residence cards.

    • Evidence that you hold a minimum of 22,838 euro (indexed amount from 1 January 2026) in a financial account under your name.
    • Evidence that at least one of the following two conditions is fulfilled:
      • Evidence that jobs are created (directly or indirectly) and investments are undertaken, whether or not detailed in the financial plan.
      • Evidence demonstrating that the activity benefits the existing economic structure.
    • Evidence of at least one of the following three criteria:
      • development of new products, services or processes that add value to your business
      • application of new or improved technologies to existing products, services or processes, resulting in added value for the business
      • collaboration with an incubator or accelerator, or with an organisation for research and knowledge diffusion.
    • Evidence that your activity is listed among the sports disciplines approved by the Government of Flanders (sporttakkenlijst (in Dutch)).
    • Evidence of affiliation with a sports club recognised by a Flemish sports federation.
    • Detailed description of the self-employed sporting activity: outline how you coach athletes, the ages and skill levels of the athletes involved, and the use of a (multi-)year plan with accompanying explanation.
    • Evidence that you practise your self-employed activity as an instructor, trainer, coach or sports mentor, and that you have a qualification from the Flemish Trainers’ School (or will acquire it within 12 months of applying).
    • Evidence that you work in a sport for which Flanders lacks enough qualified instructors, trainers, coaches or sports mentors certified by the Flemish Trainers’ School for the requested qualification.
    • Evidence of a current or planned collaboration with an organisation in the Flemish cultural or artistic sector
    • CV or portfolio from which a special affinity with cultural or artistic field can be derived
    • (Provisional) articles of incorporation of the company (e.g. BV/SRL, NV/SA, VOF/SNC).
    • Document confirming your appointment within the company, which may be included in the articles of incorporation.
    • The company’s shareholders’ register or UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owners) register.
    • Valid work permit for employment in a main occupation (i.e. at least a half-time position).
    • ​​​​​​Sworn statement by the company director regarding your appointment as a self-employed assistant.
    • ​​​​​​Sworn statement by the company director regarding your appointment as a working partner.
    • Registration certificate from a recognised Belgian educational institution

Have the documents translated (if necessary)

All documents in your application file must be in Dutch, French, German or English. If a translation is required, please take note of the points below.

  • Attach the translation and a copy of the document in the original language to your file.
  • All documents issued by official institutions (government authorities, educational institutions, banks, etc.) must be translated by a sworn translator.
    If the translation is done by a translator who is sworn abroad, the translations must also be legalised or bear an apostille from the competent authority in the country of issue.

Submit your application

Pay the fees

After the application

The decision on your professional card will be communicated within 120 days of your application being accepted.
The timeframe may be extended in the case of a complex file. In that case, you will be notified by email.

If no decision is reached within the 120-day period, plus any extension, the professional card is deemed approved and will be issued.

Restrictions and period of validity

The professional card:

  • is personal and cannot be transferred
  • is limited to the self-employed professional activity specified on the card. For any change in your situation (addresses, nature of the business, change of status, etc.), you must request a change to your professional card.
  • The professional card is not valid indefinitely. The validity period is between one and three years and is set according to the value added by the file. Be sure to note the expiry date of your professional card and apply for its renewal in a timely manner.

Appeal against a decision

You must lodge your appeal within 30 days. The period begins on the third working day after the dispatch date stated in the refusal or revocation notice.

As long as the appeal is pending with the minister, you should be aware that:

  • Any new application you submit for the same professional activity will be declared inadmissible.
  • The appeal procedure has no suspensive effect. If your right of residence expires in the meantime, you must follow the guidelines of the Immigration Office (IO) and, if necessary, leave the country.

Outcome of appeal procedure

  • The minister upholds the refusal or revocation. The decision is uploaded to the applicant’s record through the WSE portal.
    • You may submit a new application for the same self-employed professional activity one year after being notified of the refusal or revocation.
    • You may submit a new application for a different activity at any time.
  • The minister rejects the refusal or revocation. This decision is uploaded to the applicant’s record through the WSE portal. The professional card is issued according to the standard procedure, with or without additional conditions.
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Contact

Departement Werk, Economie, Wetenschap, Innovatie en Sociale Economie
Team beroepskaarten