The Student-Entrepreneur Status in Belgium: Starting a Business While Studying

Introduction

Since 2017, Belgium has offered a tailored legal framework for students who wish to start a business during their studies. The student-entrepreneur status allows combining academic training with self-employed activity under advantageous social conditions.

Access conditions

Who can benefit?

To obtain the student-entrepreneur status, you must:

• Be between 18 and 25 years old
• Be primarily enrolled in an educational institution in Belgium or abroad
• Follow courses for at least 27 credits or 17 hours of classes per week
• Exercise a self-employed activity (complementary to your studies)

Exceptions and special cases

• Students working on a doctoral thesis can also benefit from the status
• Students in work-study programs are excluded
• The status is renewable each year as long as conditions are met

Advantages of the status

Reduced social contributions

This is the major advantage:

• If your annual net income is below EUR 8,430.72: no social contributions are due
• If your income is between EUR 8,430.72 and 16,409.20: reduced contributions calculated on the excess portion
• Above EUR 16,409.20: normal contributions as a main-occupation self-employed worker

Maintaining family allowances

Below the income threshold of EUR 8,430.72, you keep your family allowances (groeipakket in Flanders). Above this threshold, a quarterly check is performed.

Social coverage

As long as your income stays below the threshold, you remain dependent on your parents for health insurance. You do not need to personally join a health insurance fund.

Tax impact

Income tax

Your self-employed income is added to any other income and subject to personal income tax. However:

• You benefit from the tax-exempt amount (approximately EUR 10,160 in 2026)
• Your professional expenses are deductible (actual or flat-rate)
• If you remain dependent on your parents, your net income must not exceed certain thresholds

Watch out for accumulation

Make sure not to exceed income thresholds to remain fiscally dependent on your parents:

• EUR 7,290 in net income (general situation)
• EUR 9,210 if the parent is a single parent

Administrative steps

Steps to follow

Required documents

• Identity card
• Enrollment certificate from an educational institution
• Proof of following at least 27 credits or 17 hours/week

Practical tips

• Keep rigorous accounting even if your income is modest
• Separate your personal and professional finances
• Anticipate the regularization of social contributions
• Look into student incubators at your university
• Consult an accountant to optimize your tax situation

Conclusion

Are you a student looking to start a business? LegalBelgique supports you in obtaining your student-entrepreneur status and launching your activity. Take advantage of our expertise to start your entrepreneurial journey in full compliance.