Springboard to self-employment: a chance to start a business safely

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Many people dream of starting their own business: a creative side hustle, freelance work, a webshop, or a small self-employed activity while searching for a stable job. In practice, however, one thing often holds potential entrepreneurs back: the financial uncertainty of starting up.

That’s exactly why Springboard to Self-Employment (“Springplank naar zelfstandige”) exists, a measure that allows jobseekers receiving benefits to run a self-employed side activity for up to 12 months without losing their unemployment benefits entirely. This gives you room to test, grow, and build confidence without immediately giving up your full financial safety net.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn who is eligible, what the obligations are, how much you may earn, how to apply, and what to pay attention to.

1. What is Springboard to self-employment?

Springboard to Self-Employment is a federal measure by the RVA (Belgium’s National Employment Office) that allows jobseekers to start or continue a self-employed side activity while receiving unemployment or integration benefits. The essentials:

• You may carry out a self-employed activity for a maximum of 12 months.

• You retain (fully or partially) your unemployment benefits during this period.

• You get the chance to find out whether your activity is viable.

In other words, it offers a risk-free transition period between unemployment and potentially full-time entrepreneurship.

2. Who is the Springboard intended for?

Not everyone can make use of this measure. The conditions are clearly defined.

1. You receive unemployment benefits or integration benefits

You must already be receiving benefits from the RVA. Those still in their professional integration period do not qualify.

2. You apply for the measure on time

You must apply for Springboard:

• when submitting your first benefits application, or

• before starting your self-employed activity.

If you already receive benefits and then wish to start as self-employed, you must apply before the first day of your activity.

3. The activity must be a side activity

The measure does not apply if you want to immediately start a main profession. The RVA itself assesses whether your activity is “secondary” based on:

• time spent

• nature of the activity

• income

4. You have not carried out the activity as your main profession in the past 6 years

Anyone recently self-employed in a main profession is not eligible.

5. You did not reduce or quit employment to obtain this measure

The measure cannot be used as a loophole to replace employment with self-employment while keeping benefits.

6. You perform the activity personally

You may not hire staff, except in exceptional and justified cases. Structural subcontracting is also not allowed.

3. What may you do during Springboard?

Springboard offers plenty of freedom, but within clear limits.

✔ You may work whenever you want
Day, night, weekends, the measure does not restrict your schedule.

✔ You may perform a wide range of activities, such as:

• freelance work

• a webshop

• creative services (graphic design, photography, music…)

• coaching

• consultancy

• crafts

• hospitality (in limited form)

✔ You may earn money, within limits (see next section)

✔ You remain a jobseeker
This means you must:

• stay registered with VDAB / Actiris / Forem

• remain available for job offers

• be willing to accept suitable job opportunities

4. How much may you earn? Understanding the income threshold

You may earn income, but:

• Your benefits may be reduced.

• Your activity must remain “secondary.”

The RVA uses a fixed daily threshold amount.

The official calculation

The RVA reduces your unemployment benefit when your self-employed income exceeds €17.72 per day (indexed as of 1/2/2025).

How it works:

• Your annual taxable net income from your self-employed activity is divided by 312 (the number of benefit days per year).

• If the resulting daily average exceeds €17.72, your benefit is reduced by the difference.

Practical example

Suppose:
You earn €8,000 taxable net from your side activity.

Calculation:
€8,000 / 312 = €25.64 per day
€25.64 – €17.72 = €7.92

This means your daily unemployment benefit is reduced by €7.92.

Remember:

• Earn little → you often retain most or all of your benefits.

• Earn a lot → your benefit may drop significantly or disappear.

This is why many starter entrepreneurs keep their income modest in the first year to preserve financial security while building a customer base.

5. How to apply for Springboard to self-employment

A step-by-step guide. (See RVA website for the full official procedure.)

Step 1: Get informed

You can find information from:

• RVA (federal)

• VDAB / Actiris / Forem (regional employment services)

• Your payment institution (ACV, ABVV, ACLVB, or HVW)

Step 2: Complete the required forms

You need two important forms:

📄 Form C1 (Link to PDF)
Your general declaration about your situation.

📄 Form C1C (Link to PDF)
Specific information about the self-employed activity.

Submit these to your payment institution.

Step 3: Submit your application before starting

This is crucial. Never begin your self-employed activity before the application is officially filed.

Step 4: Wait for confirmation from the RVA

Only after approval are you officially allowed to use Springboard.

Step 5: Start your self-employed side activity

You register as self-employed in a secondary activity by:

• applying for a company number (KBO)

• joining a social insurance fund

• activating your VAT number (if applicable)

Step 6: Maintain your jobseeker status

Keep:

• actively applying

• following vacancies

• staying available for the labour market

Step 7: Maintain proper administration

• Do not mention your activity on your control card

• Keep all bookkeeping for income checks

• Report any changes immediately to your payment institution

6. How long does Springboard last?

You can benefit from the measure for up to 12 months.

The period starts:

• on the first day of your self-employed activity, or

• on the day the advantage is officially granted.

You cannot extend this period, and you may only use it once every 6 years.

7. What if your activity becomes successful?

Good news, that’s usually the goal. But it has consequences.

1. You earn too much? → Benefits decrease or stop

No need to panic, it means your business is working. Still:

• Report your income correctly.

• Prepare for additional costs (social contributions, taxes, etc.).

2. After 12 months you must choose

Option 1: Continue → Become self-employed in a main profession
You stop receiving benefits and rely fully on your business.

Option 2: Stop the self-employed activity
You regain full unemployment benefits (with correct reporting). You cannot restart Springboard unless at least 6 years have passed since last use.

Advantages of springboard to self-employment

✔ Start a business with limited financial risk
✔ Build clients and experience in a realistic setting
✔ Opportunity to refine your business model
✔ Smooth transition into full-time entrepreneurship
✔ Maintain your social safety net and jobseeker support

Possible disadvantages and pitfalls

⚠ You cannot earn unlimited income
⚠ Activity must clearly remain secondary
⚠ Administrative obligations must be strictly followed
⚠ After 12 months you must make a final decision
⚠ Forgetting to report changes may lead to repayment obligations

Is Springboard right for you?

Springboard is ideal for those who:

• have a business idea,

• are unsure whether it is profitable enough,

• or want to test it first without financial risk.

It is a unique opportunity to start as a self-employed person safely. For anyone dreaming of entrepreneurship but worried about financial instability, Springboard is an exceptionally valuable tool. You get 12 months to experiment, grow, and learn — while keeping the security of unemployment benefits. When used wisely, it can be the perfect stepping stone toward a successful independent career.

References:
RVA: “Mag u tijdens uw werkloosheid een nevenactiviteit als zelfstandige in het kader van het voordeel ‘Springplank naar zelfstandige’ uitoefenen?”

Vlaanderen: “Springplank naar zelfstandigen”

Author - Valesca Wilms

As content marketing lead at Accountable Belgium, Valesca writes about freelancing, self-employment, and taxes based on her own experience as a freelancer.

Who is Valesca ?