Set Up a Company as a French Entrepreneur
No special authorization required thanks to European freedom of establishment
Set Up a Company as a French Entrepreneur
We are J. Jordens, and many French self-employed entrepreneurs contact us to open their own company in Belgium, often alongside or in replacement of their self-employed status in France. Here is what you need to know when you are an individual entrepreneur, not a company, wishing to establish yourself professionally in Belgium.
Freedom of establishment, a key advantage for the French
As a French citizen, therefore European, you benefit from the freedom of establishment guaranteed by the European treaties. This means you can set up and manage a Belgian company without needing a professional card, a specific residence permit linked to your activity, or prior authorization. This is a significant advantage compared to entrepreneurs from countries outside the European Union.
Concrete steps for the individual entrepreneur
- Choose the legal form: most often SRL/BV, for management flexibility and limited liability.
- Have a Belgian registered office, via a professional registered office service if you don't have dedicated premises.
- Affiliate with a Belgian social insurance fund for the self-employed, an obligation from the launch of the activity.
- Complete the mandatory registrations and activate your VAT number depending on your business sector.
Mobility between France and Belgium
Many French entrepreneurs we support retain an activity or personal ties in France while developing their Belgian company. This cross-border mobility is common, particularly for freelancers in consulting, digital or services. It is nonetheless important to clearly clarify your personal social and tax status, distinct from that of your company, to avoid any ambiguity with the authorities of both countries.
Why some French people choose Belgium
The reasons vary: flexibility of the SRL/BV with no minimum legal capital, a recognized business environment, geographic and cultural proximity to France, or the desire to develop a customer base on the Belgian and European market from a credible registered office in Brussels.
Our support for French freelancers
Since 1948, our firm in Uccle has supported many French individual entrepreneurs in their professional establishment in Belgium. We guide you on the choice of structure, the registered office, social affiliation and all registration formalities, with particular attention to the cross-border issues specific to your situation.
The choice between self-employed and company
Before setting up a company, some French entrepreneurs wonder whether it would not be simpler to start as a sole trader. This is sometimes relevant during a testing phase, but the SRL/BV offers asset protection that we recommend as soon as your activity grows or involves real commercial risk. We help you make this choice based on your specific situation.
Affiliation with health insurance and Belgian social security
By becoming self-employed in Belgium, you move into the Belgian social security system, distinct from the French regime. This concerns notably your health cover, your pension and your family allowances where applicable. We direct you to the necessary affiliation procedures, in addition to the social insurance fund, so your social protection is correctly organized from the launch of your activity.
As a French entrepreneur, you have a particularly favourable framework for launching in Belgium, provided you properly anticipate the few administrative and social differences between the two systems, which we help you clarify from the outset. We remain available for a free initial conversation, to assess together the structure best suited to your professional project between France and Belgium.
Are you a French entrepreneur wishing to open your company in Belgium? Contact us for personalized support tailored to your self-employed status.