Filing professional card applications in Belgium via approved business desk as from 1 January 2009

As of 1 July 2007, the retrieval of professional cards for self-employed foreigners is entrusted to the approved business desks and no longer to the communal authorities or the diplomatic or consular representatives abroad. We refer to our Laga flash of 11 October 2007 in this respect.

As of 1 January 2009, self-employed foreigners having their place of residence in Belgium must file their professional card application via one of the approved business desks in Belgium. Self-employed foreigners having their place of residence abroad must continue to file their professional card application with the competent Belgian diplomatic or consular authorities abroad.

This means that the communal authorities are no longer involved as far as professional card applications are concerned.

The decision of issuing a professional card remains the prerogative of the Ministry of Middle Classes.

Filing an application for (the renewal/modification of) a professional card via the business desk in Belgium or the competent Belgian diplomatic or consular authorities abroad is subject to a fee of 140 EUR.