Summary
Using a public road as an itinerant trader in Wallonia requires a municipal authorisation. This authorisation allows for sales activities to be carried out on public roads.
The procedure may vary from one municipality to another, so it is recommended that you obtain information directly from the municipality where you wish to carry out such activities.
Key points
On 20 December 2024, the Walloon Government decided to abolish authorisations for itinerant activities and authorisations for fairground activities, commonly referred to as the ‘itinerant licence’. This measure is part of the region’s effort to reduce the administrative burden on the self-employed.
This means that the requirement to obtain an ‘itinerant’ or ‘fairground’ licence in order to carry out such activities has been abolished.
In detail
Before taking any action, consult the municipality’s website or contact the relevant department of the municipality concerned. Each municipality has its own rules regarding the opening hours, pitches, and types of products permitted, and these are set out in municipal regulations.
Applications must include the following information and documents:
- first name and surname and/or name of a legal person;
- address of the registered office;
- number of metres required;
- type of products sold;
- a copy of your identity card.
Submit your complete file to the competent department of your municipality. This can be done in person, by mail, or sometimes online, depending on the options offered by the municipality.
If your application is accepted, you will receive a written authorisation. Keep this document with you when carrying out your activities on public roads.
You must comply with the conditions set out in the authorisation. This may include the specific opening hours, reserved pitches, or health and safety standards.
Find out about the term of the authorisation you have obtained and the procedure for its renewal. You should also be aware that you must comply with all the legal and tax obligations applicable to your itinerant trader activities.
The fee collected by the municipality for occupying a pitch on a public market constitutes a service charge.
Since the concept of a pitch inherently means occupying a surface area, the amount of the charge must be calculated per square metre.
If services such as water or electricity are provided, the fee charged may be higher than the fee for merely providing a pitch.
The amount varies from one municipality to another and is set out in the local by-laws.
After the submission of your application, the municipality will examine your file. The response time may vary, generally between a few days and several weeks, depending on the municipality concerned.