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Belgium Citizenship - Economic Participation for Self-employed
Hi, I'm starting reading the requirements on Belgium citizenship, there's one condition related about the social security together with the other requirements after 5 years legal stays.
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Proof of economic participation is shown by a record of at least 468 working days. For the self-employed, proof of payment of six trimesters of social security contributions.
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In my knowledge of what I have learned online, social security contributions for self-employed means you have to enroll one of the social security funds from https://www.nisse.be/en/list-social-security-funds . However, from the source I found online, it seems if the annual income is less than certain amount (€13,000-ish) I can't contribute the social security even with my own means. I'm not sure if this minimal amount set means I'm not obligated to contribute OR I can't contribute. As a self-employed person, it's hard to predict the income even annually, however, I still want to contribute to the social security for the sake of peace of mind. I think the minimal quarterly payment is €750, that's ok, I have savings, I can contribute from my own means instead from the earned income. Now the questions is, if I'm not earning enough, can I still contribute to the social security.
Thanks
If you are self-employed but not a Belgian citizen, and you don't earn enough to make a contribution, then in due course you are likely to be asked to leave. Your savings might save you but that particular bar is set very high.
Incidentally, that would apply even if you were a citizen of another EU country.
If you are going to apply for Belgian nationality, it will have to be dealt with at the commune where you are registered as a resident. Ask your question there as they will know your specific situation and can give you the info that you need to go ahead.
