Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers actually come from
Clients for translation in Belgium appear in several predictable places. Neighbours and friends may need CVs, rental contracts or personal letters translated. Your current workplace can feed the first assignments if departments need internal documents or colleagues who work with foreign partners need quick help. Schools and universities sometimes need translations of diplomas or course descriptions. Small local businesses often need product descriptions, websites or customer communication adapted for different language communities. Online search and marketplaces connect you to people looking for one-off jobs. Word of mouth matters: one successful job for a local SME can lead to repeat work and referrals.
- Individuals - certificates, CVs, personal correspondence
- Workplace contacts - internal documents or ad hoc requests
- Local small businesses - websites, menus, product text
- Schools and institutions - diplomas and course info
- Online search and marketplaces - short tasks and ongoing clients
How to set your first price and talk about money
You set your own prices. To arrive at a first number, research similar offers online and ask peers what they charge. Decide whether you prefer per-word, per-hour or per-project pricing - each fits different jobs. Per-word suits standard text with little formatting, per-hour can be fair for editing, and per-project is common for complex files. For an initial client you can offer a trial rate or a small sample translation so the client sees quality before committing. Be clear on what is included - number of revision rounds, turnaround time, and whether formatting is part of the fee.
When talking about money, state your price, the payment method, and your deadline. Ask for a brief written brief that includes target audience and required style. For larger or unfamiliar clients consider asking for a deposit or staged payments and put payment terms on the invoice.
- Choose pricing method - per word, per hour, per project
- Offer a small sample for the first client
- Agree on scope, revisions and turnaround before starting
- State payment terms and consider a deposit for larger jobs
What the first ten customers usually look like
Your first ten customers are often a mix: friends and family, a few colleagues or former employers, local shops or restaurants, one or two students needing certified translations, and occasional small businesses found via online search or local listings. A typical early pattern is many small jobs rather than one steady client. Some work will be one-off and some may repeat if you deliver reliably. Expect that several of the first clients will come from your immediate network and from places you already visit or work with.
- Friends and neighbours with personal documents
- Workplace-related small assignments
- Students and individuals requiring official translations
- Local small businesses needing short texts
- Online marketplace or directory leads
Taking payments and official steps in Belgium
You must handle taxation and social security correctly if you take paid work. In Belgium the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises - Banque-Carrefour des Entreprises - Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen is involved in business registration. You should check with SPF Finances (Federal Public Service Finances) about VAT rules and tax declarations for your situation. For social contributions and registration as an independent worker contact a social insurance fund - in French a caisse d'assurances sociales, in Dutch a sociale verzekeringsfonds - and ask what registration steps, contribution schedules and minimums apply.
Also check with SPF Finances what must appear on an invoice in your situation and whether you need to register for a VAT number. If you work with clients abroad ask SPF Finances about invoicing and VAT rules for cross-border services. If you are uncertain about the right legal form to use or whether to combine this with employment, ask a business one-stop service or your local chamber of commerce for guidance.
- Register or check registration with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises
- Ask SPF Finances about VAT registration and invoice requirements
- Contact a social insurance fund about contributions and registration
- If unsure, consult a business one-stop service or a tax adviser
What tends to go wrong in the first months
Common early problems are unclear briefs, undercharging, unpaid invoices, and poor time estimates. Scope creep - clients asking for extra revisions without pay - is frequent. Another issue is inconsistent marketing: you may spend time on channels that do not bring leads. Administrative tasks such as bookkeeping and declarations are often underestimated. Finally, balancing a side income with a day job can lead to burnout if you do not set limits.
To reduce risk, use a simple intake form that captures key details, confirm scope and price in writing, set clear deadlines, and issue invoices promptly. Keep a basic bookkeeping file or use a simple accounting tool and schedule a regular slot for admin. Start with manageable workloads and increase only when you have processes in place.
- Use a clear brief and confirm scope in writing
- Invoice promptly and state payment terms
- Track time and actual costs before changing prices
- Protect your time to avoid overload
How a Websta profile fits into this
A Websta profile is a single page you can send to clients that lists your services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking. It can be found by people nearby searching for translation services and used by clients to post tasks on the marketplace. Card payments from customers are paid out to your own bank account through Stripe; you set the prices. Put service descriptions and clear booking slots on your profile so clients know what to expect. Treat the profile as a public offer and keep it up to date with the types of jobs you accept and your usual turnaround.
- One sharable page with services, prices and online booking
- Found through the marketplace and usable for task offers
- Card payments go to your bank account through Stripe
- You control prices and service details
Next practical steps
Start by listing the services you will accept and define clear scope and turnaround for each. Create a short sample translation to show quality and prepare a simple intake checklist for client briefs. Put up a Websta profile and share it with your network. Contact SPF Finances and a social insurance fund to check registration and VAT requirements for your exact situation. Track every job, learn from early clients and adjust prices as you gain experience. Earning from translation in Belgium is doable, but it takes steady work, clear processes and correct handling of legal and tax matters.
- Define services and prepare a sample translation
- Create an intake checklist and a simple contract or terms
- Set up a Websta profile and share it widely
- Contact SPF Finances and a social insurance fund for official checks
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to register as self-employed to accept paid translation work in Belgium?
- You should check your situation with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises and a social insurance fund. They will tell you whether you must register as self-employed and how to do it. If in doubt, ask a local business one-stop service for guidance.
- Should I charge per word or per hour?
- Both methods are used. Per-word is common for straightforward text, per-hour for editing or uncertain work, and per-project for files with layout or multiple steps. Choose the method that matches the job and makes the scope clear to the client.
- How do I handle VAT and invoices?
- Ask SPF Finances whether your activity requires VAT registration and what must appear on invoices in your case. Rules differ by situation and whether you invoice clients in Belgium, within the EU or outside it.
- Can I take card payments and get the money into my bank account?
- Yes. Websta uses Stripe to process card payments and pays out to the provider's own bank account. You remain responsible for declaring income and handling VAT and social contributions.
- What is the best way to find the first clients?
- Start with your immediate network - friends, colleagues and local businesses. Use a clear sample of your work, a sharable profile such as a Websta page, and respond quickly to small jobs posted on marketplaces or local listings.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.