The “Springboard to self-employment” measure came into effect in 2016. This regime simplifies the exercise of a self-employed secondary activity combined with unemployment allowances. A jobseeker can begin a self-employed secondary activity. In this case, they can combine a secondary activity with their allowances for a maximum of 12 months.
The “Springboard to self-employment” benefit is a measure which allows you to retain your right to unemployment benefits for twelve months while performing a self-employed secondary activity.
What conditions do you need to meet?
To benefit from the “Springboard to self-employment” benefit, you must simultaneously meet the following conditions:
- You must declare your secondary self-employed activity at the time of your request for allowances or, if you already receive allowances, prior to the start of your activity.
- Your unemployment must not be due to stopping or reducing your work as an employee with a view to receiving the “Springboard to self-employment” benefit;
- You must not have exercised the secondary activity as a main profession during the previous six years, calculated date to date;
- The activity must not be carried out by third parties, notably in the context of an employment or subcontracting contract, except in exceptional circumstances;
- Certain activities are incompatible: The following activities cannot be exercised in the context of the “Springboard to self-employment” benefit:
- work carried out as an employee,
- artistic activity.
What happens if you meet all the conditions?
If you meet all these conditions, you will be granted the benefit by the unemployment office. In principle, you may exercise your secondary profession at any time while benefiting from allowances.
If you do not meet the conditions for receiving the benefit, you will receive a refusal decision. You can file an appeal against this decision with the labour court within 3 months.
How long does the benefit last?
The “Springboard to self-employment” benefit is granted for 12 months, calculated date to date, from the start of the activity or from the time when this benefit is requested. It cannot be extended.
What are your obligations relative to your control card?
You must be in possession of a control card. You have the choice between a paper control card and an electronic control card.
It is important to complete your control card according to the instructions stipulated therein: if the “Springboard to self-employment” benefit is granted to you, don’t mention your secondary self-employed activity on your control card.
What other obligations must be respected for the duration of the benefit?
- Be registered as a job seeker
- Be available on the employment market
- Be fit for work
- Reside in Belgium
What is the impact of the income from your secondary activity on the amount of your unemployment allowances?
You can combine the income from the activity carried out in the context of the “Springboard to self-employment” benefit with allowances but in a limited manner.
The daily amount of your unemployment benefit will be reduced by the part of the daily income from the secondary activity that exceeds €17.38 (at the index applicable on 01.05.2024). In other words, if your net daily income is higher than this amount, the excess will be deducted from your unemployment benefit for that day.
For example, if the net daily income from your secondary occupation is €20, the daily amount of your unemployment benefit will be reduced by the difference between €20 and €17.38.
The daily income is obtained by dividing the annual net taxable income (= gross income - charges) by 312.
In practical terms, if you start your springboard activity in year N, your unemployment benefit will be paid normally throughout that year. In year N+1, you will submit your tax return, enabling the authorities to determine your annual net taxable income. The authorities will then divide this amount by 312 (if your secondary occupation covers a full calendar year) or in proportion to the number of days during which you worked under the springboard system in year N (if you started your activity during the year). Therefore, when the authorities have your annual net taxable income (at the end of year N+1 or the beginning of year N+2), you will potentially have to repay the excess part of the money generated by your activity during year N.
Can you receive the “Springboard to self-employment” benefit several times?
Yes, you can benefit from the “Springboard to self-employment” benefit several times. However, for the benefit to be granted to you, you must not have benefited from it over the last 6 years, calculated date to date.
Want more information?
More detailed information and the forms required (FR) are available on the ONEM’s website.