Who can become a VDI: the conditions for doing business

Why become a home-based salesperson? As a way of supplementing your income or working full-time, there are many advantages to becoming a self-employed home seller. But is home-based selling open to everyone, with no strings attached? Elora explains.

The status of self-employed home salesperson (VDI)

What is the status of a home seller ? Two types of contract are frequently used to govern home sales:

- The VDI agent contract, offered by Elora, allows the salesperson to take orders in the name and on behalf of the company, which owns its stocks. No financial investment is therefore required on the part of the seller

- The VDI buyer-reseller contract, on the other hand, requires the seller to buy stock from the company in order to resell it. You therefore need to budget for the purchase of stock to launch your business

The obligations of a self-employed home seller (VDI)

• Requirements for becoming a VDI

The self-employed home sales business is open to everyone, regardless of age, qualifications, experience or circumstances. Most companies that recruit VDIs offer training courses to their new salespeople when they start up their business.

However, there are a few requirements for becoming a VDI:

- You must be at least 18 years old

- You must never have been convicted of a criminal offence

- Not to be on an Employment Solidarity Contract

- Not to be receiving early retirement benefits

- You must not be personally bankrupt

- Not be subject to a management ban

You are also strongly advised to have a driving licence and a vehicle, so that you can travel easily to customers' homes during sales meetings.

• VDIs and multiple activities

It is possible to work as a VDI in addition to another salaried or self-employed job.

However, it is incompatible with the following situations:

- Civil servant status (with some exceptions)

- Certain liberal professions (doctor, lawyer, bailiff, notary, architect, chartered accountant, court-appointed administrator, etc.)

- Under an employment contract containing an exclusivity clause

You should also be aware that a VDI can work on behalf of several companies, provided that they are not in direct competition with each other or that they have agreed to this combination of activities.

• Registering as a home seller

To start up a home sales business, home sellers simply need to provide their Social Security number to the company for which they are acting as agent. They then have 15 days in which to register their business online with the company formalities office.

VDIs are only required to register if they have achieved a certain turnover threshold (€21,996 gross/year in 2023) for 3 consecutive years.

Note: sales agents register with the RSAC (special register for commercial agents) and buyer-resellers with the RCS (Trade and Companies Register).

• Income tax returns for VDIs

All income received, whether salary or turnover, must be declared to the tax office.

How is a VDI paid? Payment depends on the status of the agent:

- Sales agents receive a commission on sales; they must declare their income as non-commercial profits (BNC);

- Buyer-seller VDIs earn a margin on the sale of their products, and set their own prices. This income is declared as industrial and commercial profits (BIC).