Who is subjected to the social status of the self-employed?
Choose your type of activity from the list below. You will immediately know to what extent the social status of self-employed people applies to your situation.
I work full-time as a self-employed person
Do you have no other profession, next to your self-employed activity? Then you are primarily self-employed person. The social status of self-employed people applies to your situation.
I work part-time as a self-employed person
You work as a half-time employee, or you are a teacher with a time table of minimum 6/10? Then you are secondarily self-employed. The social status of self-employed people applies in part to your situation. You will have to pay reduced social security contributions.
I am self-employed within a corporation
Every working partner or mandatory will be considered to be self-employed in accordance with legislation. Even though you do not receive a stipend. The social status of self-employed people applies to your situation.
The only exception to this rule: pensioned, unpaid mandatories do not have self-employed status.
What’s more, your company also needs to join a social insurance fund and pay annual contributions. Private limited liability companies, commercial ventures and crafts companies are exempt of this duty for three years. To this end, they have to make a declaration on one’s honour.
I assist a self-employed person
Do you regularly assist or replace a self-employed person, without having signed an employment contract? Then the social status of self-employed person applies to you, except for the bankruptcy insurance.
Exceptions: You will be 19 years this year, or you work less than ninety days a year, you are still a student and receive child benefit.
I assist my self-employed spouse
Are you married or do you legally cohabit with your partner? Then you are considered to be a working spouse.
Exceptions: You only assist your spouse or partner less than ninety days a year. You will then have to fill out a declaration on your word on honour and send it by registered post to your partner’s social insurance fund. If your partner is a company manager, or if you are born before 1956, you will not be subject to the social status of a self-employed person. Working spouses, born before 1956, are covered under the so-called mini status. It only provides insurance against the inability to work.
I am a pensioner and wish to continue working as a self-employed person
You can! By keeping your income below the legally allowed limit, you can combine a (reduced) pension with your own income.
Income limits:
- Before legal retirement age, without children/dependants: €5,937.26);
- Before legal retirement age, with children/dependants: €8,905.89;
- After legal retirement age, without children/dependants: €13,719.35;
- After legal retirement age, with children/dependants: €16,687.98.
