Self-employed worker in Belgium

You need to apply for an authorisation to exercise a self-employed activity to the Belgian diplomatic or consular post 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.

To apply for an authorisation to exercise a self-employed activity and an authorisation to stay, you need to submit:

• the completed and signed application form;
• documentary evidence related to your professional activity;
• proof of payment of the administrative fee for the professional card application (EUR 140 in July 2019);
• the completed and signed visa application form;
• your international passport;
• a certificate attesting to the lack of any convictions for crimes or offences under common law;
• a standard medical certificate;
• proof of payment of the administrative fee.

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).

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.

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.

Coming to work in Belgium

Doing business in Belgium

Professional card in Flanders

Professional card in Wallonia

Professional card in Brussels Capital Region

Professional card in German-speaking Community

Declaration of activities

Visa application

Your visa application