Learn more​

The idea of setting up your own business has been on your mind for some time. After duly weighing up the pros and cons, you finally decide to take the leap. That's easy to say, but how do you go about it? How do you turn this idea into an effective business plan? And what about the capital? Do you have to pay for everything out of your own pocket? Does it all seem Chinese to you? Don't panic, Beci, in partnership with Partena Professional, takes you through it step by step.

What are the basic requirements for setting up your own business?

As we have already explained, becoming self-employed is a very complex process. Before you can embark on this fascinating adventure, you need to meet a few specific preconditions. ‘Basic requirements’, you may ask. Yes, not everyone can become self-employed at the snap of a finger. Here is a list of the conditions required to become self-employed:

• you must be of legal age
• you have the Belgian nationality, you are a citizen of the European Union or you are not a citizen of the EU, but you are in possession of a work permit
• you have full civil rights (in other words, you have never been tried for a serious offence)
• you have legal capacity (you are not dependent on a provisional administrator and you have not been declared legally or judicially incapacitated)
• you do not work in an incompatible profession (bailiff, lawyer, notary, judge, federal police officer, etc.)

Can you tick all these boxes? Perfect! It seems obvious, but these basic requirements are essential if you want to become self-employed in Belgium.

Now that everything is in order, we can move on to step 2: a good idea. Because, as you know, the key to success is a solid idea.