If you are unable to pay your social contributions, you can submit a request for exemption from contribution payments. 

Basic conditions

• you exercise a self-employed primary activity
• you must prove that you are destitute or nearly destitute

Note: As an assisting spouse, you can only obtain exemption from contribution payments if your self-employed husband/wife also obtained exemption for the same quarters.

Requests
You have to submit a request to your social insurance fund. You can do so by filing a petition locally or by sending a letter by registered post.

Full or partial exemption from contribution payments can be granted.

Your social insurance fund will transfer your details to the Commission for Exemption from Contributions :

Federal Government Service for Social Security- Directorate-General Self-employed persons
Commission for Exemption from Contributions
Administratief Centrum Kruidtuin - Finance Tower
Kruidtuinlaan 50, bus 121
1000 Brussels

It can, for example, take into account:

• your income
• possible debts
• extraordinary expenses
• family situation
• …

Attention! Periods during which you were exempted from contribution payments, are not taken into account for the calculation of your pension.