Self-employed and SMEs

50 Articles

Prêt Coup de Pouce: a strengthened and sustainable mechanism serving Walloon entrepreneurs

“The Prêt Coup de Pouce turns private savings into a growth lever for our SMEs. It is a concrete, useful and effective scheme. We now want to anchor it lastingly in the Walloon economic landscape.” Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Walloon Minister for the Economy

Employment Self-employed and SMEs Wallonia

16 Sept 2026

Keeping the maximum interest rate for long-term life insurance at 3.75% to better value savings

“We are enabling insurers to offer more attractive products and to make people's savings work harder. This measure helps push interest rates up, supports purchasing power and strengthens competition for the benefit of savers.” David Clarinval, Minister for the Economy

Employment Federal Self-employed and SMEs

3 Sept 2026

Specific regulation for goods originating from Israeli settlements located in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The Council of Ministers is implementing one of the measures of the September agreement on Palestine by approving a draft royal decree amending the royal decree of 30 December 1993 regulating the import, export and transit of goods and related technology, with regard to imports from Israeli settlements. In concrete terms, this decree introduces specific regulations for goods from Israeli settlements located in the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel, namely the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. The draft implements this measure within the existing prior authorisation regime and thus fits into the current system of licensing, control and sanctions.

Federal Self-employed and SMEs

3 Sept 2026

Reducing the administrative burden on businesses

The Government wants to refocus sustainability reporting obligations on companies with more than 1,000 employees and an annual turnover above €450 million. Companies with fewer than 1,000 employees in their value chain would also be better protected against excessive requests for information. According to figures put forward by the MR, the number of Belgian companies directly affected would fall from around 2,300 to 110.

Employment Federal Self-employed and SMEs

3 Sept 2026

Making it easier to combine private and professional life

In practice, working time is no longer calculated week by week but spread over the whole year. These are known as “accordion” schedules: employees work more during busy periods and ease off when things are quieter. SMEs in particular see this as a real breath of fresh air, allowing them to match staffing to periods of high demand.

Employment Federal Self-employed and SMEs

28 Aug 2026

A family credit of 5 days per child to better balance family and professional life

The Government has approved the creation of a family credit of five days per child, available to employees, the self-employed and civil servants. These days come on top of existing leave and may be taken, together or separately, during the child's first year. The right is granted first to the father or co-parent, with the option of transferring it to the mother. An allowance is provided for during the family credit days.

Employment Federal Self-employed and SMEs

28 Aug 2026

The tax reform has been passed: a significant tax cut for all workers

The reform of personal income tax gradually reduces the tax burden on work. It notably provides for an increase in the tax-free allowance, a reduction in the special social security contribution, stronger tax benefits for dependent children and a new tax deduction for entrepreneurs. The various measures will come into force gradually over the course of the legislature.

Employment Federal Self-employed and SMEs

27 Aug 2026

€680,000 to attract more vets to rural areas

Faced with a shortage of rural vets, Wallonia is launching PACTE-Vet Rural and mobilising €680,000. The scheme supports young vets setting up practice, helps existing practices take them on and funds field placements with large animals. The aim: to guarantee farmers and rural residents lasting access to local veterinary care.

Housing and urban planning Self-employed and SMEs Wallonia

27 Aug 2026

Concrete financial consequences for people engaged in illegal activities

Minister Éléonore Simonet has decided to take financial action against those engaged in illegal activities such as drug trafficking, by automatically assigning them the social status of self-employed worker. This mechanism, which complements standard judicial proceedings, marks the end of impunity for these criminals.

Employment Federal Self-employed and SMEs Wallonia

29 Jun 2026

Return to work: the bonus for employers made permanent

Employers receive a return-to-work bonus (€1,725) when they help an employee on long-term sick leave to return to work, where necessary with adjustments to the workstation. The Government has decided to make this measure permanent, as it is particularly important for SMEs. Long-term sickness absence often weighs on the running of an SME, causing a loss of know-how, a lack of continuity and a heavier workload for colleagues. This extension is part of the drive to bring the long-term sick back into work, with the Government focusing both on responsibility and on the necessary financial support.

Employment Federal Self-employed and SMEs

29 Jun 2026

Extension of flexi-jobs to self-employed workers

Since their creation in 2015, flexi-jobs have allowed employees to take on additional work under favourable tax and social security conditions, provided they work at least 4/5 of a full-time job for a Belgian employer. The scheme has proved increasingly successful, with both workers and employers. Against this backdrop, the Minister for the Middle Classes, SMEs and the Self-Employed, Eléonore Simonet, wants to go further by opening the scheme up to self-employed workers as well. Under certain conditions, such an extension would allow the self-employed to earn additional income as a flexi-job worker while benefiting from a favourable tax regime.

Employment Federal Self-employed and SMEs

29 Jun 2026

VAT exemption: gradual increase of the threshold from €25,000 to €30,000

The Minister has decided to raise the VAT exemption threshold gradually, from €25,000 to €30,000. The increase will take place in steps of €1,000 per year, reaching €30,000 in 2031.

Federal Self-employed and SMEs

29 Jun 2026

The Movement

Get involved

Information