Embarking on Your Freelance Journey in Belgium: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you considering freelancing in Belgium but unsure where to start? Look no further! In this guide, we’ll walk you through each step of the process, from understanding the freelancing landscape to setting up your financial systems. Let’s dive in!
1. Learn about freelancing Before diving headfirst into freelancing, it’s essential to assess your skills and strengths.
2. Choose an administrative direction Define your idea of financial success and explore legal frameworks in Belgium.
3. Protect yourself financially Understanding tax obligations and signing up for a social security provider are crucial steps. Learn about VAT exemptions and explore insurance options to safeguard your business.
4. Set up financial systems Separate personal and business expenses by opening a dedicated bank account. Ensure compliance with legal requirements on invoices and VAT status.
5. Create your offer Research your ideal clients, define your services, and establish pricing strategies.
6. Find and sign your first client Identify where your potential clients are and focus your efforts accordingly.
7. Deliver your first project Deliver exceptional results, communicate effectively, and ensure client satisfaction.
By following these steps and utilizing the recommended resources, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the world of freelancing in Belgium successfully. Stay tuned for more insights and tips to accelerate your freelance career!
1. Learn about freelancing
Do this:
Watch out for:
Resources:
Identify your skills and strengths for freelancing.
! Beyond the thing you are great at, you’ll also need to market yourself, do sales, negotiate and manage your finances and much more…
YouTube video: Can I become a freelancer? Is freelancing for me?
Quiz by Securex: Freelance Check
Explore freelancing in Belgium, especially legal requirements.
! Watch out for visa statuses: if you are from outside the EU, you’ll need a “professional card”.
! In Belgium, you have to register your activity from the start
! Some industries have a lot of regulations
Connect with resources and peers for support.
! Talk with freelancers already doing what you are seeking to do. This will help you make the most informed decision, and people are surprisingly friendly. You are not alone – though it can feel that way among a sea of employed people.
Join the Freelancers in Belgium group on Facebook
Article: 10 reasons why freelancers need to network with each other
2. Choose an administrative direction
Do this:
Watch out for:
Resources:
Define your idea of (financial) success and any limitations (e.g. time and money).
! Not having a tangible goal to measure success by, what do you need to survive, live and thrive?
! Be cautious about free work
! Putting your health or finances at risk by not having clear boundaries
YouTube video: Do I have the financial means to start as a Freelancer?
Article by Judith Escalier: 7 Steps to creating and achieving your goals
Choose a legal framework
There are three key options in Belgium:
1. Sole Proprietorship
2. Limited Company
3. Payrolling
And there are extra options for part-time freelancing
Complete registration and startup formalities.
! Be prepared to add your activities under “NACE codes”
! Timeframes will vary depending on which format you choose – in Flanders it takes about 1 month to register a limited company.
E-book by Securex and Freelancers in Belgium: Start2Freelance
3. Protect yourself financially
Do this:
Watch out for:
Resources:
Understand your tax obligations and/or hire an accountant.
! VAT exemptions apply
! Belgium is complicated; be sure to get information for your region (Brussels, Flanders, Wallonia!)
Sign up for a social security provider
! This is compulsory for self-employed
! Register the right month to avoid paying social security for “un-used” months; January, April, July & October. You may start working before and invoice later.
! Startup costs can retrospectively be deducted as professional costs 3 months before starting.
We recommend our community partner Securex
Obtain insurance to protect your business
! Professional liability insurance protects you in case something goes wrong
! Guaranteed income insurance gives you peace of mind if you cannot work.
! Extra pension saving is deductible and comes with a tax benefit, but there are other options for saving for your pension.
! Ask for quotes from multiple brokers
Article by Curvo: How Belgian Freelancers Can Retire on Their Own Terms.
We recommend Van Dessel Insurance Brokers
4. Set up financial systems
Do this:
Watch out for:
Resources:
Open a dedicated business bank account.
! Muddling personal and business expenses. If you mix the tax authorities have the right to look into your account
We recommend ING’s starter package
Define how you’ll invoice and receive payments.
! There are a few legal things that need to be on every invoice, make sure you have a template before you need it.
! Make sure you understand your VAT status
! Don’t miss out on tax benefits for copyright invoicing if you are a creative freelancer
Articles by Accountable: Learn about invoicing
We recommend copyright invoicing expert: Creative Shelter
Set up a system to manage your finances and paperwork.
See the offer of our community partner Accountable
See how Olympus Mobility can help you save administration and time and keep track of your accounting for transportation
Check out tools tips by our member Sanne Van Broeck
5. Create your offer
Do this:
Watch out for:
Resources:
Research your ideal clients and the problems you can solve.
! Clearly define Who, what, how, why, why you?
YouTube video: How do I find my first client as a freelancer?
Blog article by Freelancers in Belgium & Accountable: 100 ways for freelancers in Belgium to find, get and keep clients
Define how you will work as a freelancer
Ask questions like do you want one long-term or several short-term clients? Will you work in a transactional vs. relational way? One size fits all vs. tailormade, online vs. offline. Will you teach, do operational tasks, or advise? Or a mix?
Decide on pricing strategies.
! Most freelancers start with an hourly, or day rate – but move away from that as soon as you can if possible.
YouTube video: How do I price my assignment?
6. Find and sign your first client
Do this:
Watch out for:
Resources:
Decide where and how you will attract clients and start doing this.
! Don’t try to be at too many places at the same time.
Find an agreement on terms and conditions
! Not creating clear expectations with clear, legal definitions
! How to deal with overtime, extra requests and revisions
YouTube video: 15 elements for legal protection
Sell it! Close the deal!
! You will need to talk about money. This can be unexpectedly uncomfortable.
! Strike a balance between building a great relationship and selling your services.
7. Deliver your first project
Do this:
Watch out for:
Resources:
Let your expertise shine and aim for a happy client.
! As the saying goes, it’s impossible to be fast, cheap and good simultaneously!
! Underpromise and overdeliver
! Communicate a lot
Ask for tips in the Freelancers in Belgium group
Send your first invoice to get paid.
! Legal requirements for what an invoice has to include.
! Make sure to agree when you’ll invoice in advance.
! Watch out for excuses for late payments, stop working if you are not getting paid!
Article by Accountable: Free invoice template
Reflect on your progress and refine your approach.
! Get client feedback and ask for references and referrals
! Take time to consider improvements