Getting started in a liberal profession: a manual

Below is a non-exhaustive list of professions that are eligible to practice as liberal professions: 

What steps should I take to start a liberal profession? 

To start in a liberal profession, simply follow the steps you also must take when starting a business or becoming self-employed, with a few exceptions: 

• Enterprise and VAT number: you must register with the CBE and apply for your enterprise number. However, some liberal professions are exempt from VAT. These include doctors, dentists, nurses, and paramedical professions. 
• Permits: One of the advantages of free profession status is that, unlike other self-employed people, you do not have to prove to the enterprise office that you have basic or professional business management knowledge. Note that some activities are regulated and require registration from a qualified institution or special aggregation, but that regulation falls under the profession itself, and not under the status of free profession. 
• Funding: Certain liberal professions enjoy special support, such as those that aim to fund, under certain conditions, half the cost of a medical assistant(s) for a group of doctors. 
• Partena Professional's one-stop shop advises you and helps you with all the steps to set up your liberal profession, in one of our offices or online. Do you have specific questions? Contact us.

Practising a liberal profession as a natural person or company: which status do I choose? 

You can practise liberal professions as a natural person or in the capacity of a company. Each status comes with advantages and disadvantages. 

• The status of sole proprietorship, or natural person, is the most common because of its simplicity: limited administrative formalities, no need for statutes or minimum capital, simplified bookkeeping, low formation and operating costs. 
• This allows you to set up your business quickly and without much hassle, be assisted by a cooperating partner, and even be able to pay employees. 
• However, this status comes with some inconveniences: you take on a personal responsibility and, in case of problems, this can cost you your savings. On top of that, taxation may prove less advantageous than for companies. 
• Even if yours is not a commercial activity, practising a liberal profession is perfectly possible in the context of commercial companies. There are more formalities and costs to start up, but this legal form protects you personally and allows you to enjoy a more favourable tax regime. On top of that, it also facilitates any collaborations or transfer of shares. 

In other words, you have a choice between an unlimited liability cooperative (which, as the name suggests, entails your personal liability) and a limited liability company (BVBA). 

Would you like personal advice on the legal status or form best suited to your situation? We are here for you. Contact us.