A new chapter. On your own terms.By ANKA Transformation House
Digital guide

Eligibility & Route Guide

Understand the route before committing to it.

Is this the right option for you?

You want to understand the professional-card route, how regional requirements differ and which questions are relevant to your own circumstances.

What we work through

The guide provides a fuller explanation of the route for people considering independent work in Belgium. It helps you connect the terms you encounter with the decisions you need to make.

  • Understand the main eligibility considerations and common exemptions.
  • Explore regional context for Flanders and Brussels.
  • Distinguish your business activity, professional-card application and residence-related steps.
  • Use common questions to identify what to investigate next.

What to prepare

Read with your own situation in mind. Keep a short list of the points that are clear, those you need to verify and the questions that depend on your individual circumstances.

What you should leave with

A more informed basis for deciding whether to continue, what to check and which support could be useful.

Scope of this offer

A general guide cannot determine the outcome of an individual application. Use the official regional instructions for the requirements applying at the time you prepare your file.

How to arrange it

Get in touch with the name of this offer and a brief outline of your situation. We will confirm the scope, price, format and any preparation required before you commit. Timing and delivery arrangements are agreed before the work begins.

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Non-EU citizen planning to work for yourself?

A professional card is mandatory before starting a self-employed activity unless an exemption applies. EU/EEA and Swiss nationals are exempt; qualifying family, residence or other statuses can also provide exemptions. Already living in Belgium does not automatically exempt you. For a move from abroad through the professional-card route, approval is a required step before the long-stay visa can be granted. This is separate from an employee’s single permit.

Understand the card, exemptions and visa steps →