Belgian opposition party Open VLD wants to give minors as young as 15 the opportunity to start their own businesses.
Currently, teenagers aged 15 can take on student jobs, but they cannot work as self-employed entrepreneurs. “That’s outdated,” argue MPs Steven Coenegrachts and Kjell Vander Elst. “We see more and more young people creating apps, designing websites, or taking on small jobs in their neighbourhoods. Our laws should encourage them, not hold them back.”
The proposal would allow 15-year-olds to be declared “legally competent” for specific economic activities. Open VLD also wants to extend existing social and tax benefits for self-employed students over 18 to younger entrepreneurs. These include a social contribution exemption on earnings up to €8,430.73, a reduced contribution rate of 20.5% for higher earnings, and continued eligibility for child benefit and parental tax allowances.
The employers’ organisation, Voka, has welcomed the idea, supporting fewer barriers for young entrepreneurs. However, it noted that cases of 15-year-olds entering entrepreneurship are likely to remain exceptions.
