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.
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That\u2019s exactly why Springboard to Self-Employment<\/b> (\u201cSpringplank naar zelfstandige\u201d) 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<\/b>.
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This gives you room to test, grow, and build confidence without immediately giving up your full financial safety net.
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In this comprehensive guide, you\u2019ll learn who is eligible, what the obligations are, how much you may earn, how to apply, and what to pay attention to.
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Springboard to Self-Employment is a federal measure by the RVA (Belgium\u2019s National Employment Office) that allows jobseekers to start or continue a self-employed side activity while receiving unemployment or integration benefits. The essentials:<\/p>\n
You may carry out a self-employed activity for a maximum of 12 months.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
You retain (fully or partially) your unemployment benefits during this period.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
You get the chance to find out whether your activity is viable.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In other words, it offers a risk-free transition period between unemployment and potentially full-time entrepreneurship.
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Not everyone can make use of this measure. The conditions are clearly defined.
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1. You receive unemployment benefits or integration benefits<\/b>
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You must already be receiving benefits from the RVA. Those still in their professional integration period do not qualify.
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2. You apply for the measure on time<\/b>
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You must apply for Springboard:<\/p>\n
when submitting your first benefits application, or<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n before<\/b> starting your self-employed activity.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n If you already receive benefits and then wish to start as self-employed, you must apply before the first day of your activity<\/b>. 3. The activity must be a side activity<\/b><\/p>\n The measure does not apply if you want to immediately start a main profession. The RVA itself assesses whether your activity is \u201csecondary\u201d based on:<\/p>\n time spent<\/p>\n<\/li>\n nature of the activity<\/p>\n<\/li>\n income<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n 4. You have not carried out the activity as your main profession in the past 6 years<\/b><\/p>\n Anyone recently self-employed in a main profession is not eligible.<\/p>\n 5. You did not reduce or quit employment to obtain this measure<\/b><\/p>\n The measure cannot be used as a loophole to replace employment with self-employment while keeping benefits.<\/p>\n 6. You perform the activity personally<\/b><\/p>\n You may not hire staff, except in exceptional and justified cases. Structural subcontracting is also not allowed.<\/p>\n \n \u200b<\/p>\n Springboard offers plenty of freedom, but within clear limits. \u2714 You may work whenever you want : <\/b>Day, night, weekends, the measure does not restrict your schedule. \u2714 You may perform a wide range of activities<\/b>, such as:<\/p>\n freelance work<\/p>\n<\/li>\n a webshop<\/p>\n<\/li>\n creative services (graphic design, photography, music\u2026)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n coaching<\/p>\n<\/li>\n consultancy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n crafts<\/p>\n<\/li>\n hospitality (in limited form)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n \u2714 You may earn money<\/b>, within limits (see next section)<\/p>\n \u2714 You remain a jobseeker<\/b> stay registered with VDAB \/ Actiris \/ Forem<\/p>\n<\/li>\n remain available for job offers<\/p>\n<\/li>\n be willing to accept suitable job opportunities<\/p>\n \n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n \n You may earn income, but:<\/p>\n Your benefits may be reduced.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Your activity must remain \u201csecondary.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The RVA uses a fixed daily threshold amount<\/b>. The RVA reduces your unemployment benefit when your self-employed income exceeds \u20ac18.08 per day<\/b> (indexed as of 01.03.2026).<\/p>\n How it works:<\/p>\n Your annual taxable net income<\/b> from your self-employed activity is divided by 312<\/b> (the number of benefit days per year).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n If the resulting daily average exceeds \u20ac18.08, your benefit is reduced by the difference.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Suppose: Calculation: This means your daily unemployment benefit is reduced by \u20ac7.56<\/b>. Earn little \u2192 you often retain most or all of your benefits.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Earn a lot \u2192 your benefit may drop significantly or disappear.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n This is why many starter entrepreneurs keep their income modest in the first year to preserve financial security while building a customer base.<\/p>\n \n \u200b<\/p>\n A step-by-step guide. (See RVA website<\/a> for the full official procedure.) \n You can find information from:<\/p>\n RVA (federal)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n VDAB \/ Actiris \/ Forem (regional employment services)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Your payment institution (ACV, ABVV, ACLVB, or HVW)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n \n You need two important forms:<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcc4 Form C1 (Link<\/a> to PDF)<\/b> \ud83d\udcc4 Form C1C (Link<\/a> to PDF)<\/b> Submit these to your payment institution. \u200b<\/p>\n This is crucial. Never begin your self-employed activity before the application is officially filed. \n Only after approval are you officially allowed to use Springboard. You register as self-employed in a secondary activity by:<\/p>\n applying for a company number (KBO)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n joining a social insurance fund<\/p>\n<\/li>\n activating your VAT number (if applicable)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n \n Keep:<\/p>\n actively applying<\/p>\n<\/li>\n following vacancies<\/p>\n<\/li>\n staying available for the labour market<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n \n Do not<\/b> mention your activity on your control card<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Keep all bookkeeping for income checks<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Report any changes immediately to your payment institution<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n \n \n You can benefit from the measure for up to 12 months<\/b>.<\/p>\n The period starts:<\/p>\n on the first day of your self-employed activity, or<\/p>\n<\/li>\n on the day the advantage is officially granted.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n You cannot extend this period, and you may only use it once every 6 years<\/b>. \n Good news, that\u2019s usually the goal. But it has consequences. \n No need to panic, it means your business is working. Still:<\/p>\n Report your income correctly.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Prepare for additional costs (social contributions, taxes, etc.).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n \n Option 1: Continue \u2192 Become self-employed in a main profession<\/b> Option 2: Stop the self-employed activity<\/b> \u2714 Start a business with limited financial risk<\/b> \u26a0 You cannot earn unlimited income Springboard is ideal for those who:<\/p>\n have a business idea,<\/p>\n<\/li>\n are unsure whether it is profitable enough,<\/p>\n<\/li>\n or want to test it first without financial risk.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n It is a unique opportunity to start as a self-employed person safely<\/b>. 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. \u200b<\/p>\n Springboard is designed for people who want to start<\/b> a self-employed side activity during unemployment. But what if you already had a complementary self-employed activity before<\/b> you lost your job, and you simply want to keep it going? That’s a separate continuation rule, not Springboard, with its own conditions. You may continue your complementary activity while receiving unemployment benefits if:<\/p>\n You were already self-employed in this activity alongside your paid employment<\/b>, for at least 3 months<\/b> before applying for benefits.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Example: you work 4\/5 in a bank and have been a freelance photographer since 1 November. You lose your job in mid-February and apply for unemployment benefit ; you may be able to continue the photography activity.<\/i> \u200b<\/p>\n You must declare the complementary activity to your payment institution when you apply for benefits<\/b>:<\/p>\n Answer “yes”<\/b> to the question “Do you carry out a complementary activity?” on Form C1<\/b>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Fill in Form C1A<\/b> as well.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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\n3. What may you do during Springboard?<\/h1>\n
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This means you must:<\/p>\n\n
\n4. How much may you earn? Understanding the income threshold<\/h1>\n
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\u200b<\/p>\nThe official calculation<\/h2>\n
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Practical example<\/h2>\n
You earn \u20ac8,000 taxable net<\/b> from your side activity.<\/p>\n
\u20ac8,000 \/ 312 = \u20ac25.64 per day<\/b>
\u20ac25.64 \u2013 \u20ac18.08 = \u20ac7.56<\/b><\/p>\n
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\n5. How to apply for Springboard to self-employment<\/h1>\n
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\nStep 1: Get informed<\/h2>\n
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\nStep 2: Complete the required forms<\/h2>\n
Your general declaration about your situation.<\/p>\n
Specific information about the self-employed activity.
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\nStep 3: Submit your application before starting<\/b><\/h2>\n
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\nStep 4: Wait for confirmation from the RVA<\/h2>\n
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\nStep 5: Start your self-employed side activity<\/h2>\n
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\nStep 6: Maintain your jobseeker status<\/h2>\n
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\nStep 7: Maintain proper administration<\/h2>\n
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\n6. How long does Springboard last?<\/h1>\n
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\n7. What if your activity becomes successful?<\/h1>\n
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\n1. You earn too much? \u2192 Benefits decrease or stop<\/h2>\n
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\n2. After 12 months you must choose<\/h2>\n
You stop receiving benefits and rely fully on your business.
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You regain full unemployment benefits (with correct reporting). You cannot restart Springboard unless at least 6 years have passed since last use.
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\u200b<\/p>\nAdvantages of springboard to self-employment<\/h3>\n
\u2714 Build clients and experience in a realistic setting
\u2714 Opportunity to refine your business model
\u2714 Smooth transition into full-time entrepreneurship
\u2714 Maintain your social safety net and jobseeker support
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\u200b<\/p>\nPossible disadvantages and pitfalls<\/h3>\n
\u26a0 Activity must clearly remain secondary
\u26a0 Administrative obligations must be strictly followed
\u26a0 After 12 months you must make a final decision
\u26a0 Forgetting to report changes may lead to repayment obligations
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\nIs Springboard right for you?<\/h2>\n
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\n8. Already self-employed on the side and losing your job? A different scenario<\/h1>\n
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\nWhen can you continue your activity?<\/h2>\n
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\nDeclare it correctly<\/h2>\n
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