Since October 1, 2025, any person — Belgian or foreign — wishing to carry out a self-employed activity in the Walloon Region, either as a natural person or through a company, no longer needs to prove “basic management skills.”
This reform, resulting from the Decree of September 25, 2025, amending the Program Law of February 10, 1998 on the promotion of self-employment, finally brings Wallonia in line with the Flemish and Brussels Regions, which had already abolished this requirement.
It simplifies access to entrepreneurship, including for foreign nationals.
Until now, every entrepreneur had to demonstrate management skills — through a diploma, professional experience, or by passing an exam — in order to register with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE) or to obtain a professional card.
With this condition now abolished, foreign applicants seeking authorization to carry out a self-employed activity (professional card) will find the application process simplified.
However, technical professional qualifications remain mandatory for regulated professions (e.g., restaurateurs, bakers, heating engineers, electricians, hairdressers, etc.).
Similarly, specific authorizations (sanitary, environmental, safety, etc.) continue to apply depending on the activity.
Most importantly, the conditions for residence permits for foreign nationals remain unchanged, and it is still often complex to coordinate work and residence authorizations.
Thus, for foreigners required to obtain a professional card, preparing a file (business plan, financial plan, etc.) remains a demanding and challenging exercise.
Céline Verbrouck
Specialist in Immigration Law and Private International Family Law
+32 2 894 45 70
www.altea.be