The name says it all: to be self-employed in a secondary occupation, you must first have a primary occupation. This means you need to work as an employee at least 235 hours per quarter (roughly half-time in a 38-hour workweek). Only then can you register with the social insurance fund as a self-employed worker with a side business and benefit from the associated advantages.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/business/starters/self-employed-in-secondary-occupation","text":"Discover more"}]},{"title":"Company or sole proprietorship: which is best for me?","richBody":{"value":"A business account is a good idea for any kind of business or professional activity, even a secondary one. It keeps your personal banking separate from your business finances. But how should you structure your secondary occupation? Should you go for a sole proprietorship or a company?
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/business/starters/company-vs-sole-proprietorship","text":"Discover more"}]},{"title":"Do I have to pay social security contributions if I have a side business?","richBody":{"value":"Even when starting a secondary occupation, you must make social security contributions from the income you earn from your self-employment. You start with a provisional contribution of €99.38, based on a net taxable income of €1,865.45. Once you declare your actual income to your social insurance fund, your final contributions will be calculated.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/business/starters/self-employed-in-secondary-occupation","text":"Discover more"}]},{"title":"Do I have to charge VAT for my side business?","richBody":{"value":"If your side business generates only a small turnover, you might be eligible for the VAT exemption for small businesses. This applies when you have an annual turnover of less than €25,000. The exemption not only reduces the administrative burden, but it also means you don’t have to charge VAT to your customers. That can make your prices more competitive. The downside is that you can’t deduct VAT on your business-related purchases. That makes the exemption less appealing for occupations with a lot of expenses.
"}},{"title":"How much does it cost to register as self-employed in a secondary occupation?","richBody":{"value":"To start your own business or freelance profession, you’ll pay €182.94. This includes your registration with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (€105.50) and the application and activation of your company registration number (€77.44). Mandatory social security fund registration is free. Even on income from a side business, you’re required to make annual social security contributions, including toward your pension, health insurance, and more. If you plan to hire staff, you can also use a human resources and payroll service provider (known as a secrétariat social or sociaal secretariat in Belgium) to ensure you meet all legal requirements.
"}},{"title":"Legal information","richBody":{"value":"This page is for informative purposes only, and the information set out herein may change with time. We therefore recommend that you always refer to specific regulations and requirements provided by the competent authorities for the latest information. In addition, we recommend that you seek professional advice on a case-by-case basis before making any decisions. Please note that ING Belgium SA/NV cannot be held liable for any decision taken on the basis of the information provided herein.
"}}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Take your side hustle to the next level"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Whether you want to grow your side business or move to full-time self-employment, our advice and know-how will keep you on track and help you reach your goals.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/business/starters/webshop","text":"Opening an online shop: how do you get started?"},{"url":"/en/business/starters/business-financing","text":"The benefits of financial leasing for your business"}],"alignedImage":{"position":"left","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/f0cf8279-8c95-45b0-8e10-173f0d3040bc/accountable-1920","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/3bb19b9aad5450e8/original/accountable-1920.jpg","extension":"jpg"}},{"componentType":"cards"},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Banking solutions to help you run your side business smoothly and efficiently"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"If you’re running your own business, loads of admin is the last thing you want. That’s why we’ve designed easy-to-use, smart banking solutions that leave you more time to focus on your customers and growth. Is this your first venture into self-employment? Check out our exclusive ING Startup Package with 1,200 euros worth of benefits. It’s perfect for full or part-time entrepreneurs looking to kick-start their business.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/business/starters/business-bank-account","text":"Why open a business account?"},{"url":"/en/business/starters/invoicing-tips","text":"Tips to make your invoicing efficient"},{"url":"/en/business/starters/starterspackage-current-account","text":"Discover our Start-up package"}],"alignedImage":{"position":"right","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/39a22b9e-959a-4f79-a890-90604b2eb7f2/Two-young-businessmen-in-suits-eating-takeaway-food-while-sat-on-a-low-wall","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/70fe582dfc8785c8/original/Two-young-businessmen-in-suits-eating-takeaway-food-while-sat-on-a-low-wall.jpg","extension":"jpg"}},{"componentType":"cards"},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Expert guidance to set up or expand your side business"},{"componentType":"cta","textLink":{"url":"https://www.ing.be/en/business/payments/become-business-client?type=corporate-plus-account","text":"Open your company account"}},{"componentType":"cta","textLink":{"url":"https://www.ing.be/en/business/payments/become-business-client?type=professional-current-account","text":"Open your self-employment account"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Not yet an ING customer? Let’s talk!"},{"componentType":"cta","textLink":{"url":"/en/business/services/contact-options-small-enterprises","text":"Contact us"}}]},"legalZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"* The amount of 1,200 euros used to describe our offer is the total value of advantages available to start-ups (any self-employed individual, liberal professional, or company whose business or professional activity was established in the last 18 months) when subscribing to all the products mentioned in the ING Start-up Package.
"}}]}}}