How I went from employee to self-employed: the professional card in Belgium

While I was still employed, I applied for a professional card for a secondary occupation. Since my job was my main activity and income, I didn’t have to provide many documents.

About two to three weeks later, I had the card and could start freelancing on the side right away.

If you’re still employed, this is a gentle way to test the waters.

This application was a different story. The heart of it is the business plan, and the most important question in it is one nobody spells out: why does your activity need to be in Flanders, rather than anywhere else in Europe?

For me, the answer was tech. Flanders had been investing heavily in its tech and startup scene, and that’s exactly where my expertise was. My advice: follow the news, see which sectors the government cares about, and connect what you bring to that.

I also connected the dots to show I was already part of life here: I’d worked in Belgium, I spoke the local language, and I had a network of local colleagues. The motivation has to sound business-like, but showing you genuinely care about the place helps build your case.

And I described one activity only. If you do marketing consulting and also sell art online, pick one. Imagine being the official reading your file: two activities sounds like you’re not sure what your business is.

I made a three-year projection of my income and expenses, including what I’d spend on an accountant, advisors, equipment and marketing. The point was to show I knew what I was getting into, and how I’d earn enough to sustain myself.

Having an accountant review my plan was nice, but not necessary. Only I knew what my business was about and how I’d run it. If numbers aren’t your thing, though, an accountant can check whether your projections make sense.

After I submitted, I was asked for references or letters of intent. So I collected two letters of intent from potential clients, and two references from colleagues at my former Belgian employer.

Not on the official checklist, but have them ready before you apply.

With the professional card approved, I went to my commune to change my status from employee to self-employed and update my residence. The card gives you the right to work as self-employed; the residence card is a separate step.

My first card was valid for a year. The renewal felt very similar to the first application, except that now my actual results could be compared with what I’d said I would achieve.

If your numbers didn’t turn out as projected, or a client you mentioned didn’t sign, be ready to explain why, honestly, and share your plan B. Everyone knows unexpected things happen; you’re the one who cares most about it, so show you’ve thought about what’s next.

What I brought: emails and letters of intent from my next potential clients, certifications I’d earned during the year, what I’d learned and how I’d improve, and an updated three-year revenue projection, which they asked for, starting from the renewal.

Then the residence part again. This time my commune couldn’t decide on the extension itself, and sent my file to the Immigration Office in Brussels. I had to provide the renewed professional card plus proof of my taxes, social security payments, invoices and VAT. Once it was approved, I made a new appointment to extend my residence.

Two renewals again: the card, and the residence. They’re never quite the same thing.