Can You Work on Your Side Business While on Sick Leave?

Short-term or long-term sick leave: what is the difference?

If you are unable to work as an employee, you will usually continue receiving your salary from your employer during the first period of your absence. This is known as guaranteed salary. If your illness lasts longer, your health insurance fund may take over and pay you a replacement income.

This distinction is important if you run a side business.

Are you only off work for a few days? First check your workplace regulations, the agreements with your employer and any rules concerning an examination by a medical control officer. Continuing to work on your side business during this period may raise questions.

Does your incapacity for work last longer, or are you receiving sickness benefits? In most cases, you must request permission from the medical adviser of your health insurance fund before continuing your side business.

Does this mean you cannot do anything for your side business?

Not necessarily. In some situations, you may be allowed to carry out a limited or adapted activity while you are unable to work.

However, you cannot decide this yourself. Especially when you are receiving sickness benefits, you must request permission in advance to carry out an authorised adapted activity. Your health insurance fund will assess whether the proposed activity is compatible with your health situation.

In short, do not assume that something is allowed simply because it is “only a limited activity”. Always check what is permitted in your specific situation first.

What do you need to report?

Would you like to continue working on your side business while you are unable to work? The first step depends on your situation.

Are you only off work for a short period and still receiving your guaranteed salary? First check your workplace regulations and the agreements with your employer.

Are you receiving sickness benefits, or has your incapacity for work lasted longer? Contact your health insurance fund. In most cases, you will need to specify:

• What activity you would like to carry out;

• How much you would like to work;

• When you would like to start;

• Whether the work is temporary, limited or adapted.

Does your situation change later, for example because you start working more hours or take on different tasks? Check again whether these changes are permitted.

Can you start as soon as you have submitted your request?

That depends on your status and your individual case.

For self-employed people, the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance states that you must report the proposed activity and request permission to carry it out. However, you do not always have to wait until permission has formally been granted before starting. Your request must have been submitted correctly through your health insurance fund. You can find more information in the rules on authorised work for self-employed people.

Are you an employee who also runs a side business? Always ask your health insurance fund when you may start and under which conditions. This will help you avoid misunderstandings.

What if you already had a side business before you became ill?

Even then, you should be careful. The fact that your side business already existed before you became ill does not automatically mean you can continue running it while you're on sick leave.

Are you only off work for a short period? Then first check the agreements with your employer and your workplace regulations.

Has your illness lasted longer or are you receiving sickness benefits? In that case, you should check with your health insurance fund which activities you are still allowed to carry out. The medical adviser will assess whether your side business is compatible with your health condition.

What if you want to start a side business while you're on sick leave?

Starting a side business while you're on sick leave is possible in certain situations, but you should proceed carefully.

Are you absent from your job because of illness and planning to start working as a self-employed person during that period? First discuss this with your health insurance fund and check the agreements with your employer.

If you receive sickness or disability benefits based on at least a part-time employment contract, you may, under certain conditions, start working as a self-employed person with a side business. According to Acerta, you'll need prior approval from the medical adviser.

So don't simply start accepting clients, assignments or sales. Always check first which steps you need to take.

Conclusion: check first, work afterwards

Working on your side business while you're on sick leave is sometimes possible, but it is never automatic.

Are you only off work for a short period? Then check the agreements with your employer and your workplace regulations first.

Are you receiving sickness benefits or has your illness lasted longer? Then contact your health insurance fund to find out what you need to report and whether you need permission.

That way, you'll know what is allowed, what the possible consequences are and how to continue managing your side business correctly.

How can PIA Go! help?

When you're ill, your priority should be getting better. However, your administration doesn't simply stop.

With PIA Go!, you can keep your bookkeeping digital and well organised. You can easily monitor your income, expenses and documents, while your accountant keeps an eye on your file.

Not sure what you're still allowed to do for your side business? Your health insurance fund is your first point of contact for questions about your sickness benefits and any required permission.

Your PIA Go! accountant can help you keep your bookkeeping and administration up to date. This way, you'll always have a clear overview of your business, even during a period in which you can only carry out limited activities.

Schedule your first introductory meeting with PIA Go!