You’re based in Brussels and thinking about starting as a freelancer?
Good news: Actiris offers a grant of up to €4,000, spread over 6 months, to support you as you take your first steps.
In this article, discover the key steps and conditions to benefit from it.
What is the Actiris grant for self-employed professionals?
Actiris provides a decreasing grant to Brussels residents looking to become full-time self-employed professionals. This aid, distributed over six months, is designed to financially support new entrepreneurs while offering personalized guidance. Here’s how the grant is allocated:
- Month 1 : 1250 €
- Month 2: 1000 €
- Month 3: 750 €
- Month 4: 500 €
- Months 5 & 6: 250 € each
What are the eligibility criterias?
To qualify for this grant, you must meet several requirements before and after launching your activity.
Before launching your activity
- Brussels residency: You must be domiciled in the Brussels-Capital Region.
- Registration with Actiris: You need to be registered as an unemployed jobseeker with Actiris before taking any steps to become self-employed.
- Project analysis: Present your project to an approved support organization, such as JobYourself, to assess its viability. A positive feasibility opinion is mandatory.
- No recent self-employment: You must not have been self-employed as your main occupation in the past two years. This is the most crucial point: do not take steps to become self-employed before receiving a positive feasibility opinion!
After launching your activity
- Business number: Obtain a business number from the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises. You can do this through any accredited business counters.
- Social security affiliation: You must register as a self-employed individual in a principal capacity. This can be done through an accredited social insurance fund (almost the same list as the accredited business counters).
- Support agreement: After Actiris validation, sign a six-month guidance agreement with the organization that evaluated your project.
Steps to obtain the grant
1. Prepare your project
Contact an approved support organization to assess the feasibility of your business idea. Bring the A15 document, which confirms your registration as a jobseeker with Actiris.
2. Become self-employed
Once you receive a positive assessment, complete the necessary administrative steps to register as a full-time self-employed professional. Note: You must wait for the positive assessment before registering to ensure your eligibility.
3. Submit your grant application
Fill out the form available on the Actiris website and send it by email to pipz@actiris.be within three months of receiving the opportunity assessment. Required documents include:
- The completed form
- The positive opportunity assessment
- A certificate of affiliation with a social security fund confirming your self-employed status
4. Receive your grant and start guidance
Actiris will review your application, and if approved, the first installment will be disbursed within 20 working days. You will then begin a six-month guidance program with your support organization.
Key points to remember
- No double funding: This grant cannot be combined with the Tremplin-indépendant scheme or a test phase within a cooperative.
- Six-month commitment: You must adhere to the conditions of the guidance agreement and maintain your activity throughout the aid period.
- Impact on benefits: Once registered as a full-time self-employed professional, you will lose eligibility for unemployment benefits.
- Taxable income: This grant is considered income and will therefore be subject to taxation.
Why this grant is a valuable opportunity
Starting as a self-employed professional can be daunting, particularly with initial costs and financial uncertainty. This grant provides a tangible boost to kickstart your activity while offering professional support to maximize your chances of success.
Need help getting started?
If you want to launch your freelance activity (or a broader service-based business) without stressing over the admin side of things, feel free to book a free 30-minute call with me to see if and how I can help you.
If you have questions about the Actiris grant, you can contact Actiris-approved support organizations like JobYourself, call 1819, or reach out to hub.brussels, the Brussels agency for entrepreneurship.
Ready to take the leap and start your activity with confidence?
written by Thimothée Remy
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