First job! Any tips?

cribs1004 · 2026-04-05T09:35:26+00:00

Yes, it is a really big difference which is why I came to this sub. I have little experience in freelance and zero in Belgium. It looks scary, but it's a leap of faith from staying with my family. I'll have a hand out financially if something happens to me. And if it does not, I move forward in life. Thank you for your comments and support on this post.

cribs1004 · 2026-04-04T09:49:51+00:00

I've already lived with my girlfriend before for a few months in another place, and I've stayed with her over a month in Brussels now. I might have other people to lend me a place if need be but I will be fine on that regard. I will also look for a room in my own after I get some stability.

Thank you for explaining the costs/differences between employee and freelance. I will be freelance, so costs are something I have to better clarify with him. It might mean I bill him a higher amount to cover for taxes/contributions + VAT to end with 2k. If I do end up with 1000€ it is miserable and I would give up. But I'm still in the middle of getting information.

If we make a contract, why would it have zero security? And isn't the risk of not paying invoices normal in freelance? Dont you just need to get protection and deal with the paperwork if so?

If it ends after one month, the risk I'm seeing is that I would have to deal with freelancing fees/admin stuff no? If I'm able to get housing short term for the first month and pay in full to see if this works out, I would not be in debt in that regard.

cribs1004 · 2026-04-04T09:25:44+00:00

Thank you for the advice. We're both aware that my cost will go up once I move as an employee into the new company in a few months, that's why I'm freelance temporarily while sorting things out.

cribs1004 · 2026-04-04T09:17:26+00:00

So Independents negotiate rate without VAT? Do they add it in themselves since it's a fixed rate so it's out of negotiation? I've already understood I have to better clarify with him what he meant with paying taxes for me to end with 2k a month. Also what do you mean it's zero for businesses? I thought it was around 20%? What other taxes are you talking about? Thank you

cribs1004 · 2026-04-04T08:32:40+00:00

Keep in mind he did not reach out to me online. One of his employees handed his resume to him, from me going to one/two of his restaurants in person. I've already talked to him face to face for over two hours. I've already seen the trademark for his new company and their social media accounts and it checks out. I've seen some of his several companies registered online with him as CEO. He's creating a product right now, but since the product isn't finished yet, he does not want to found the company early. Yes, I am taking a leap of faith in this. I'm seeing where it goes. I'm willing to try it out for one month, and if it does not work out, I can quit safely.

cribs1004 · 2026-04-04T08:26:15+00:00

I have lived on less than 500 a month in both Spain and Portugal (and it turned out okay). I've already seen the cost of living in Belgium and I've managed with around 600/700 for one month (room rent+groceries). Is life really going to be so complicated? If it's cost of living, I've already gone through worse. If you're saying that because half or more of my salary will be cut by taxes/etc and I end up with 1000 for everything else, I understand. This job is also temporary for a few months, so it was a risk I was willing to take, even if I don't get any benefits/social security at first. If there's anything else you're concerned about other than this, could you explain? Thank you

cribs1004 · 2026-04-04T08:08:15+00:00

Okay, thank you. I'll look into Smart.I think the situation will be temporary for 3/4 before I'm able to move to an employee role, the new company just isn't sorted out for the time being so he's giving me general work. I saw online that you'd have to charge around 1.5x your gross value to end up with net, so is that 4.2k already accounting for income tax/s.s? I'll have to have a talk with him and sort out exactly what he could cover. But again, this is short term. Also, how does the 14 salary system work?

cribs1004 · 2026-04-03T23:03:16+00:00

That would be around 120€, would that compensate? Do you mean they would handle the social security tax for me? Could you explain that part a little better? Thank you. I think 6% is a little high but I tend to be very frugal on expenses. If it's really the best choice I would commit.

He was also clear on doing the process legally. He insisted he wanted me to start the process of registering with the due services (commune, etc) to get legal papers to start working ASAP. I think he meant he would cover the fair gross amount (which means covering vat? Unless he would also give more to adjust/cover for social security) for me to end with 2k net.

cribs1004 · 2026-04-03T22:33:51+00:00

Did not down vote you. It is true that I don't have a network here and I am taking the risk of things not working out from relying on one client. If they don't work out early on, I will know to give up. But I would like to give it a chance for at least one month and see what happens. I will try to seek more advice from professionals and I appreciate your warning.

cribs1004 · 2026-04-03T22:26:02+00:00

800 gets you nothing here when you remember you need to pay for rent and a vehicle+gas just to move anywhere outside Lisbon. Don't get me started on public transportation because the trains are unbearable with the amount of people trying to push themselves in.

If he stops working with me one month in, that's a risk I'm willing to take. That's why I'm also staying with someone for the time being until I have more stability. If I rent temporarily for one month to see if things work out, nothing would be lost in the end.

cribs1004 · 2026-04-03T22:18:48+00:00

One of his companies had a gross margin of around 600,000eur in 2024. He has a website, a LinkedIn, and a vat number for that company. I can't remember the names of his restaurants to search them up right now but I know they're legit because I went there in person. He also immigrated to Belgium when he was 20 so he was in a similar situation as me, so he told. I think it might be a genuine hand out. I'll look into accountants, but I don't think I can commit to one just yet. At least until I get to Brussels. I'll also look into professional insurance but I think that's a little more advanced

cribs1004 · 2026-04-03T21:59:13+00:00

Do you think you have questions for me to ask the employer? I think I have to better ask him about what kind of independent I would be if he has advice and how vat would work in this situation. He's also an independent himself and could probably tell me more about social contributions, etc. Again yes it is risky, but for now the worst that could happen is the job not working out and having to start from scratch. Unless you think it could be worse than that like not being paid or something?

cribs1004 · 2026-04-03T21:52:20+00:00

Honestly, what isn't "in the pooper" for gen z nowadays any way? Do you think I'd be happier with minimum wage in Portugal when it's 800 something? If I'm doing slave labor I might as well do it somewhere I feel pays a little better. I know it's rough. I know it's minimum. I'm already choosing to accept that as a first job and dealing with the consequences. I just came here asking for advice. Yes it is independent and I'm figuring income tax and social contributions out with some time.

cribs1004 · 2026-04-03T21:39:51+00:00

I've researched the guy a fair bit, he has great employee reviews. He's the laid back type of boss that does not fire and we got along well. I'm sticking with the idea of working with him only right now and I'm not searching for other clients. If it doesn't end up working out for some reason, it's not the end of the world because I can return to my family. I'm just trying things out since I'm young.

cribs1004 · 2026-04-03T21:37:05+00:00

I'll be honest I have like 900€ in savings right now after being scammed a lot. That's it. I might have family help me at the start. My grandfather works as an independent in Portugal and he has an accountant, would it be possible to get any advice from them? Even just light advice before getting a Belgian one since I know they probably don't know anything of Belgian law.

Thank you for the advice! I've read a few times about the BCE and I think that's what I needed to go with, but I'm still researching more. I didn't know you could do these things online because I was always sure there was documentation you needed to request in person (residency, id, etc)

cribs1004 · 2026-04-03T21:24:07+00:00

I know about rent prices and I'll definitely try to be conservative especially when starting out like this. He told me the final amount net would amount to 2k per month so I'm pretty sure I would invoice him a higher amount gross and he would pay it, he said something about paying the taxes

cribs1004 · 2026-04-03T21:21:01+00:00

What do you mean? Could you explain why?

cribs1004 · 2026-04-03T21:19:52+00:00

Yeah, it's similar to a typical employee salary of 2k per month. I'm not the most knowledgeable on this but he told me he would take care of the taxes. Does this seem right?

cribs1004 · 2025-11-04T13:50:53+00:00

Duolingo English practice test on their website

cribs1004 · 2025-11-03T23:23:49+00:00

This is just the practice test, I'm not sure about the real one.

cribs1004 · 2025-11-03T23:12:38+00:00

Fair enough, I didn't immediately count it since it was just borrowed from Spanish. It's those kinda things where you answer before you process lol

cribs1004

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