Would you like to start your own business whilst still receiving unemployment benefit? The Springboard to Self-Employment scheme makes this possible: you can continue to receive your benefit for up to 12 months whilst starting your secondary occupation at the same time. A smart scheme that allows you to test your business idea without giving up the financial security of your unemployment benefit.
Who is eligible for the Springboard to Self-Employment scheme?
The Springboard to Self-Employment scheme is available to jobseekers receiving unemployment or integration benefits who also wish to start a secondary occupation in Flanders.
✅ Good to know: you cannot combine this with your vocational integration period or education-related benefits.
Key conditions for using the Springboard to Self-Employment scheme
Return to the RVA (forms C1/C1C)
You must correctly declare your secondary activity to your benefits agency using forms C1 and C1C, either when you first apply or before starting your activity.
No main occupation in the past 6 years
The activity must not have been carried out as a main occupation in the past six years.
No termination of salaried employment to obtain the benefit
You must not have terminated or reduced your salaried job with a view to obtaining this benefit.
Carry out the work yourself, no subcontractors
You must carry out the activity yourself. The use of subcontractors or employees is not permitted, except in exceptional cases.
Operating as a secondary activity
Your secondary occupation must remain supplementary (in terms of hours and income), and the RVA will monitor whether this is the case.
Consequences for your benefit
How much income can you generate without experiencing a loss of your benefit?
The daily amount of your benefit is reduced by the profit from your secondary occupation that exceeds the limit of €17.72 per day (index valid from 1 February 2025).
At the end of the 12 months, the following applies:
- Either you continue your secondary occupation as a self-employed person in your main occupation (without benefits)
- Or you stop and retain your benefits
Did you know?
The amount you earn in excess of the permitted limit is deducted directly from your benefits.
What if you make too much profit?
Then you experience a loss of part of your benefit! The maximum profit under the ‘springboard to self-employment’ scheme amounts to just €17.72 per day.
As soon as the daily net income from your secondary occupation exceeds the fixed limit of €17.72 (indexed as of 1 February 2025), the difference is deducted from your benefit. Furthermore, there is a risk that your statute (self-employed in secondary occupation) may change to self-employed in main occupation, with consequences such as updated social security contributions.
➡️ For example: with a daily wage of €20 net, your unemployment benefit will be reduced by €2.28 (=20-17.72) for that day.
😬 Often, you only know your profit at the end of the year. If you have made too much profit, you will therefore have to pay back part of your benefit.
So keep a close eye on your income and expenses. It is advisable to keep a clear track of your profit yourself; you can do this, for example, by doing your own bookkeeping.
Tip from an accountant
‘Are you going to make too much profit? Then social security contributions are to be paid. These expenses count directly as costs.’
What are the implications for social security contributions?
As a self-employed person in secondary occupation, you pay 20.5% social security contributions on your income via your social insurance fund. The minimum contribution amounts to approximately €99.38 per quarter, depending on your profit. If your profit is below a certain threshold (approximately €1,881.76), you can apply for an exemption.
Springboard to self-employment in practice
In practice, you can use the ‘Springboard to Self-Employment’ scheme to test out your secondary occupation. All the scheme does is allow you to have a ‘secondary occupation’ without having a ‘main occupation’… as soon as your secondary activity ‘begins to resemble a full-time job’, you are expected to switch immediately to self-employment.
That is why it is also advisable to be cautious, as every euro you earn in excess is deducted directly from your benefit. The biggest problem, therefore, is that you have to pay back your unemployment benefit if your self-employed activity starts to make a profit.
The benefits of Springplank to Self-Employment
You get the chance to test your own company without immediately giving up all your security. Whilst you’re assessing whether your company is viable, you retain your benefits. This allows you to build your idea at your own pace without financial stress.
During the start-up phase, your safety net remains in place. This gives you the breathing space you need to invest in your plans and learn from your initial experiences, without having to worry about being left without an income.
After the trial period, you choose entirely for yourself how to proceed. Do you see sufficient potential? Then you can make the switch to a main occupation. If you’d rather continue searching for work, that’s also good. So you remain in control.
How can you actually get started with Springplank to Self-Employment?
- Register your secondary activity correctly via C1/C1C with your benefits agency.
- Stay registered with VDAB (or Actiris) and remain available for the labour market.
- Keep your records up to date for the RVA.
- Consider using an accountant or payroll service for guidance in more complex situations.
✅ Ready to get started? We’ve created a handy step-by-step guide to help you start your sole proprietor business.
