If you are self-employed in Belgium or want to start an activity, you have probably wondered: how much do I actually keep if I invoice 3,000 or 5,000 euros per month?
The short answer: much less than you think.
Many Romanians in Belgium make the same mistake: they look at revenue, not profit. In reality, between the money you invoice and the money you keep, there are several types of taxes and costs.
In this simple guide, I explain:
- How much tax you pay as self-employed in Belgium
- How much you keep from your income
- Real examples (3,000, 5,000, 10,000 euros)
- The difference if you are bijberoep (secondary activity)
- What you can do to keep more money
What taxes does a self-employed person pay in Belgium
To understand how much you keep, you need to understand the 3 main taxes:
1. Social contributions (approximately 20%)
If you are self-employed in Belgium (zelfstandige), you must pay social contributions.
Approximately 20% of profit. These cover:
- Pension
- Health insurance
- Social protection
They are calculated on profit, not total revenue.
2. Income tax
After contributions, you pay income tax. The system is progressive:
- 25%
- 40%
- 45%
- up to 50%
The more you earn, the higher the tax rate.
3. VAT (if you are a VAT payer)
Standard VAT in Belgium: 21%
Important: VAT is not your profit. It is money collected for the state.
Read the complete guide: VAT in Belgium (BTW) explained simply
Real examples: how much do you keep
Example 1: 3,000 euros per month
Annual income: 36,000 euros
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual income | 36,000 euros |
| Social contributions (~20%) | -7,200 euros |
| Income tax (~30%) | -8,500 euros |
| Net final / year | ~20,000 euros |
| Net final / month | ~1,650 euros |
Example 2: 5,000 euros per month
Annual income: 60,000 euros
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual income | 60,000 euros |
| Social contributions (~20%) | -12,000 euros |
| Income tax (~35%) | -16,800 euros |
| Net final / year | ~31,000 euros |
| Net final / month | ~2,600 euros |
Example 3: 10,000 euros per month
Annual income: 120,000 euros
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual income | 120,000 euros |
| Social contributions (~20%) | -24,000 euros |
| Income tax (~40-50%) | -40,000 euros |
| Net final / year | ~55,000 euros |
| Net final / month | ~4,500 euros |
Important reality: It does not matter how much you invoice, what matters is how much you keep. In Belgium, taxes increase with income.
Bijberoep (secondary activity) - how much do you pay
Many Romanians start with bijberoep, meaning:
- You have a full-time job
- You have a business on the side
Advantage
Lower or non-existent social contributions (in some cases).
Bijberoep example
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly income | 1,000 euros |
| Annual income | 12,000 euros |
| Tax (40-50%, added to salary) | -6,000 euros |
| Net final / year | ~6,000 euros |
| Net final / month | ~500 euros |
Conclusion: good for starting out, but becomes inefficient as you grow.
Common mistakes
- Not setting money aside for taxes - you should set aside at least 40-50%
- Spending the VAT - VAT is not yours, it belongs to the state
- Not understanding the tax system - lack of knowledge costs money
- Not having a good accountant - a good accountant saves you more than they cost
How to reduce taxes legally
There are several ways to optimize your taxes. One of the most important: deductible expenses.
You can deduct:
- Car (partially)
- Equipment
- Office
- Phone
- Marketing
- Accountant
Important: not all are 100% deductible. It depends on your situation.
Important recommendation
There is no universal solution. The situation differs depending on:
- Income
- Type of activity
- Status (independent or bijberoep)
- Personal situation
The most important thing: work with a good accountant. An accountant helps you:
- Optimize taxes legally
- Avoid mistakes
- Keep more money
What to read next
To better understand the system:
- VAT in Belgium (BTW) explained simply - complete guide 2026
- What taxes you pay as self-employed in Belgium - complete guide
- PEPPOL in Belgium 2026 - mandatory electronic invoicing
- Checklist: first 30 days as self-employed in Belgium
Final conclusion
In Belgium, it does not matter how much you make, it matters how much you keep.
The difference between entrepreneurs who succeed and those who get stuck is understanding taxes and financial organization.
Are you self-employed or want to start in Belgium?
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