Wallonia: Abolition of the Basic Management Skills Requirement

Starting 1 October 2025, the Walloon Region will abolish the obligation for every new prospective self-employed worker to prove that they possess basic management skills (commercial management, accounting, law…) in order to register with the CBE.

This measure is part of a broader effort to simplify administrative procedures and encourage entrepreneurship. The Walloon Government considers the requirement outdated and more of an obstacle than a guarantee of success.

What is changing?

• The obligation will disappear for all general self-employed activities as of 1 October 2025.
• This does not apply to regulated professions — such as hairdressers, bakers, plumbers, etc. — which remain subject to specific skill requirements.

Why?

• The system has not proven effective in reducing bankruptcies or improving the viability of new businesses.
• Systematic exemptions existed, making the measure unequal in application.

Expected effects:

• Faster access to self-employment for young people, long-term unemployed individuals, migrants and project developers.
• A lighter business creation process with lower costs.
• Alignment with the Brussels-Capital Region (abolished in 2024) and Flanders (in 2018).