SME Plan 2025: A Boost for Small Enterprises
Self-employed individuals and SMEs are vital to our economy. However, they often face many challenges, and complex regulations can limit their growth opportunities. The Minister for Self-employed and Small Businesses, Eléonore Simonet, has created an ambitious plan to change this. Under the motto "More opportunities, fewer obstacles," she has proposed a series of measures in the "SME Plan 2025" to promote entrepreneurship.
What is it about?
The SME Plan 2025 is a programme with 89 specific measures designed to enhance the competitiveness, resilience, and innovative capacity of Belgian small and medium-sized enterprises, all under the motto: "More opportunities, fewer obstacles".
We would like to present some of these future measures to you.
Read more: "Eléonore Simonet launches an ambitious plan to strengthen the competitive position of SMEs: "More opportunities, fewer obstacles"
Supporting Entrepreneurship
Female Entrepreneurship
The SME Plan includes 9 measures to support female entrepreneurship. These measures aim to improve financing options and enhance social status.
- The government will extend maternity leave for female self-employed individuals by replacing the 'maternity assistance' system with an extension of maternity leave from 12 weeks to 15 weeks.
- Starting from January 1, 2027, female self-employed individuals will also be entitled to four months of parental leave. Several arrangements are already in place to improve the social position of female entrepreneurs and support parenthood among the self-employed. However, there is always room for improvement, so a workshop will be organised to assess how current protection and guidance can be enhanced.
- By the end of 2025, a measure will be introduced to extend the exemption from social contributions after childbirth to 2 quarters.
Read more: "Exemption from social contributions after childbirth doubled from 2026"
The Student-entrepreneur
To encourage entrepreneurship among students, the government will reform the regulations for student-entrepreneurs as follows:
- Students who graduate at a time other than June will still be considered student-entrepreneurs during the relevant trimester.
- Attendance will be verified based on either a certificate showing exam participation (grade report) or proof of class attendance. The current declaration of honour will be abolished.
- Even during their thesis year, student-entrepreneurs will be able to maintain this status.
- A change in the age limit is planned.
A Second Start
Failing as an entrepreneur can leave a lasting mark. The government aims to reduce the stigma of a non-fraudulent bankruptcy through a targeted package of measures, fostering a true culture of second chances. Care will be taken to ensure that fraudsters face consequences.
Currently, individuals can restart after a bankruptcy but must use the same enterprise number, which links them to the previous bankruptcy. The government plans to allow individuals to start a new activity with a new enterprise number, making it easier to restart after a failure.
E-commerce
E-commerce is now a key part of the economy, yet it remains a significant challenge for many entrepreneurs.
The government encourages SMEs to engage in e-commerce by providing information modules and an online tool to help them start and develop their electronic commerce. Initial steps have already been taken.
Be sure to also read:
- Best practices & tips for online sales – A practical and free tool for SMEs and self-employed individuals | FPS Economy
- www.zetjezaakonline.be | FPS Economy
Administrative Simplification and Burden Reduction:
Making Working Through a Company Easier and Cheaper
Starting a business through a company or association currently involves certain costs and a lot of paperwork.
The government will focus on simplifying these processes by further digitising all steps related to starting up or running a company or association.
It will also explore ways to reduce startup costs, including eliminating the fees for filing annual accounts for small companies and associations.
Simplifying VAT Administration for Small Enterprises
Bookkeeping is essential for every business, but the government will look into simplifying certain aspects, such as the various VAT registers that sometimes need to be maintained.
In this context, the government will gradually raise the threshold for VAT exemption from €25,000 to €30,000. The threshold will increase by €1,000 each year until it reaches €30,000 in 2030. This increase will significantly simplify VAT administration for many entrepreneurs.
Read more: "VAT exemption for small enterprises: is it for me?"
Social Contributions
The system of penalties for late payment of social security contributions by self-employed individuals will be revised to make it fairer and less burdensome.
Access to Government Contracts
Despite ongoing savings plans, governments continue to invest. Currently, SMEs often do not participate in government contracts due to the burdensome administrative procedures.
In the coming years, the government will focus on simplifying these procedures and requirements to improve access for SMEs. This will include tailoring selection criteria to better suit SMEs and promoting local purchases, such as for food.
Company Desk
As an entrepreneur, you currently rely on your company desk to apply for permits, authorisations, and to update registers. The government will establish an electronic mandate system to make this process even smoother.
Financing Through Taxation:
Entrepreneurship requires not only spirit but also financial resources. The government aims to simplify access to financial resources through taxation.
The government will reform the Tax Shelter to create a specific Tax Shelter that encourages citizens to invest in start-ups and growing enterprises.
Additionally, SMEs will again have the opportunity to accelerate the depreciation of digital investments, patents, environmentally friendly investments for research and development, and energy-saving investments.
How Securex Helps You?
This is just a small part of the total 89 measures. All these proposals from the SME Plan 2025 now need to be implemented in collaboration with the relevant ministers into new or amended legislation.
Securex will closely monitor the implementation of these measures to provide you with timely advice and assistance in applying them in your enterprise.
