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Contracting in Belgium

Here’s everything you need to know about contracting in Belgium

Our Solutions

Employed

Self-Employed

Limited
Company

Employer of Record
(EOR)

Local Partners

In each country, we work with leading local accounting and taxation experts to ensure that we and those who depend on us stay entirely within the law.

100% Compliant

We have the necessary licences, proven experience and demonstrable track record to provide you with all the national and international payroll, contract management, tax and immigration services that you need.

Global Presence

We have offices in Switzerland (Head Office), the United Kingdom, Germany, Luxembourg, Cyprus, China, India, Malaysia and the UAE.

Cost Efficient

We listen carefully to you, understand your personal requirements and needs, and then we collaborate with you to provide our services at reasonable prices.

About Us

Access Financial is the leading global provider of contract management, outsourced payroll and umbrella services. We offer customised and compliant solutions to corporate clients, recruitment agencies and professional contractors. We specialise in mitigating tax liability, fully subscribing to labour law and supporting immigration.

FAQs

Please check out our FAQs below. Don’t see an answer to your question? Feel free to contact us

As a recruitment business, you will want to ensure that your contractors work lawfully in Belgium whether they are Belgian nationals or foreigners. All EU/EEA nationals can come to live and work without restriction in Belgium. All other citizens must have the legal right to work, and this may be through a work permit, European Blue Card, by family entitlement or Professional Card.

AFI Belgium Sprl can assist the contractor who requires it to obtain the legal right to work.

After that, there are three ways that an employee can be structured compliantly, and these are:

  • Self-employment
  • Employment
  • Limited Company

Not everyone is eligible for all three solutions, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. The only way to establish the best method in a given case is to understand your requirements, clients’ wishes, and what is in the contractor’s best interests.

We demonstrate this by carrying out an in-depth fact find, and we believe that Access Financial Group is unique in using this methodology.

Briefly, Self-employment is a good choice where there is sufficient independence between the contractor and client. Employment is the only method where there is insufficient independence. Where a contractor has a suitable PSC / Limited Company, the localising the contractor and the company can be a way for the contractor to maintain their independent contracting activity in a tax and social security efficient way.

If you have a business outside Belgium and wish to employ staff in Belgium, then AFI Belgium Sprl can give you a professional employer of record (PEO) service.

You don’t have to incorporate a company in Belgium or register your company as a foreign employer. AFI Belgium Sprl can act as your staff’s employer, and they can work for your business. We will ensure all the employment requirements are met and attend to any HR issues.

In return for an agreed fixed fee, we will attend to all the activities that need attention, and we will present you with monthly invoices for the costs of employment plus our fees. Nothing could be much more straightforward!

For many years Belgium has been an attractive location for contractors, and it has been a particularly amenable one for British contractors. From 1st January 2021 British people no longer have the right to live or work in Belgium. However, as a country in the Schengen Area, British people may spend up to 90 days in any 180 days in Belgium for tourism or business purpose but not for gainful work. For this, they will need a work visa as will any third-country national.

AFI Belgium Sprl can sponsor work permits and assist contractors in obtaining Professional Cards or EU Blue Cards.

Subject to having the legal right to work, there are three ways to work legally in Belgium.

  • Self-employment
  • Employment
  • Limited Company

Not everyone is eligible for all three solutions, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. The only way to establish the best method in a given case is to understand your requirements.

We demonstrate this by carrying out an in-depth fact find, and we believe that Access Financial Group is unique in using this methodology.

Briefly, Self-employment is a good choice where there is sufficient independence between the contractor and client. Employment is the only method where there is insufficient independence. Where a contractor has a suitable PSC / Limited Company, the localising the contractor and the company can be a way for the contractor to maintain their independent contracting activity in a tax and social security efficient way.

A professional in Belgium can either be employed or self-employed.

When employed, the person does not need to worry about further approvals. Once the D-visa is issued, one can start working for the employer, being on a Belgian employment contract.

When self-employed though, there are several additional steps to be taken:

  • The candidates must have a University educational qualification (diplomas and certificates) available for registration and
  • They must have a local residential address in Belgium – not a hotel address.

The professional card process takes up to 5 months to be completed. At the end of the processing period, the successful candidate will be registered as a self-employed professional in Belgium with a local VAT number. (University educational qualification certificates should be available before registration).

They will be liable for income tax in Belgium from the first day of their professional activity and they will contribute to the Social Security system in Belgium as independent workers.

If you would like to discover your tax and net retention in Belgium, you can easily use our free online income calculator.

Our Services

Our services are aimed at customer satisfaction, always ensuring the best value for money, compliance and maximum take-home pay possible in Belgium.

Contract
Management

Payroll
Outsourcing

Work Permits &
Immigration Assistance

Employer of Record
(EOR)

Tax & Legal
Compliance

Testimonials

We’re proud of what we do, but you shouldn’t just take our word for it. Here’s what our clients are saying about us.

Ahmed MohammediContractor

“After several years of collaboration with you, I regret to announce my departure from AF. It has been a real pleasure to have made this part of road with you, and I wish you full success with other collaborators. I regret my departure from your company, but the rules decided otherwise. If there is anything to remember about AF, it is the clarity, the honesty and the discretion. Thank you for all the good years spent with you and all the services you have given me.”

Cesare PittarelloContractor

“I’ve been using Access Financial services for more that one year and so far I’m fully satisfied with my choice. The company is providing prompt and valid support to all my needs as contractor and I recommend it.”

Roy HarrisHaricom Limited

“I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the good experience I’ve had the last 3 years working with AFS. I feel a sense of trust in AFS and for me that is what is most important in any business relationship.”

ChristosGreece

“I would like to thank Access Financial Team for all your help on my urgent matter. A special mention to Louise and her commitment to help me promptly and in any possible way, even by disturbing some of her annual leave. You’re very lucky to have such people within your team!”

Luke WilliamsSweden

“I want to thank Access Financial for your assistance with immigration without which my assignment would not have been possible. My special thanks to Team Europe, their service was very professional. They were always quick to respond, provide me with answers and solutions.”

VladoContractor

“It was always a pleasure to work with AF. Before when I worked in Belgium and now in Germany, the service was always very pleasant. So yes, in the case I will need any umbrella company, I will surely contact only you.”

Mr. P. BorkarIreland

“It’s been a wonderful experience working with Access Financial”

Mr. B. DeanGermany

“When it comes to outsourcing payroll services Access Financial is my #1 go-to company. Thank you for your great support.”

Mr. G. BretonUK

“What I love about Access Financial is their commitment to speed, professionalism and constant support.”

Mr. P. TredwellLuxembourg

“If you are looking for someone to help you with contracting in EU, Access Financial would be an excellent choice.”

HarshitContractor

“I will let people know in my network with the services you provide. I like the transparency you work with.”

Our Partners

Each partnership is unique. We focus on creating long-lasting relationships with our partners.

Belgium Income & Tax Calculator 2023

Calculate your take-home pay in Belgium using our online income calculator below.

    This is the all-inclusive rate that you have agreed with your recruiter or client to pay you per day.
    Please estimate the average number of days you plan to work each month.
    Please provide the length of your assignment in months.
    If you live in Belgium for at least six months (183 days) of the year and are registered with your local commune, then you are a resident for tax purposes.
    Are you a national of an EU or an EEA country?
    To qualify for certain allowances, three quarters or more of your total income must come from the assignment in Belgium.
    A new self-employed person can choose to pay either minimum advance social security contributions or social security contributions based on actual income. The final social security assessment is done after two or three years from the start of the self-employed activity. In the case of underpayment, you will need to pay the difference and vice-versa. The subsequent payment of social security will be tax deductible if you are still tax resident in Belgium.
    By clicking Calculate, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer: The calculation is an illustration based on various assumptions and is meant to provide an indication of what you may take home as net pay. For a more detailed projection please contact our customer support by clicking on the “TALK TO AN EXPERT” button above.

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