Pomôžte mi dostať sa z dlhovej pasce a udržať si domov, ktorý som si vybudoval

Čo ak tieto dlhy nevyrovnám?

Žijem tu s partnerom, ktorý ma v tejto situácii drží nad vodou, ale aj jeho úspory sa míňajú. Už teraz šetríme na každodenných výdavkoch a dlhodobo to ovplyvňuje aj naše plány, napríklad sporenie na spoločné bývanie.

Ak nebudem môcť splácať, budem musieť:

• ukončiť podnikanie, prísť o súčasný príjem, a pokúšať sa nájsť si novú prácu (čo je však z hľadiska pracovného trhu pre mňa v súčasnosti dosť zložité),
• vziať si nevýhodnú pôžičku, ktorá by nás finančne obmedzila na najbližšie roky,
• alebo presťahovať sa späť na Slovensko, kde sa necítime bezpečne.

Aby som sa dostal z tohto bludného kruhu a mohol naďalej podnikať, potrebujem aspoň 10 000 €. Táto suma mi pomôže vyrovnať dlh a zároveň pokryť preddavky na ďalšie roky, aby som sa do rovnakej situácie nedostal opäť.

Ak by ste mi chceli pomôcť, budem nesmierne vďačný. Každé euro mi pomôže pokračovať v živote, ktorý sme si tu s partnerom vybudovali, a nemusel by som sa rozhodovať medzi existenčnými problémami a bezpečím.

ĎAKUJEM 

A few years ago I decided to start over in Belgium

I work as a freelancer in digital marketing, helping businesses manage their social media and set up advertising campaigns. I’ve always made it a priority to run my business honestly – paying taxes, contributions, and all legal obligations.

Since the Belgian system is quite complicated for a foreigner, and my French is not good enough to fully understand it, I relied on my accountant. I diligently set aside money for taxes and paid social security advances exactly as she advised. Whenever I asked in advance how much I should save and what I should watch out for, she reassured me that I was doing everything correctly.

It was only at the end of 2024, when I filed my tax return for 2023, that I faced the harsh reality.

My social security contributions were not calculated based on my actual income, but only on the basic table values. Even though I had already paid more than €3,600 in social security, I was suddenly billed for almost €15,000 more. My accountant had had full insight into my income, expenses, and bank accounts for two years, but never once warned me that I needed to pay higher advances or set aside more.

Of course, I take full responsibility for myself. Maybe I should have tried to understand the system better, but I relied on a professional and trusted that she would warn me about important financial obligations in time.

Since I had already sent all the money I had saved to cover taxes (€36,094) and VAT (€19,407), I had to set up an installment plan for the social security debt. This now costs me €1,224 per month. With regular expenses and new advances for 2025, I’m in a situation where I won’t even have enough for basic living costs, and my partner and I will have to seriously reconsider our life in Belgium.

Why is it important for me to stay in Belgium?

This campaign is not just about finances – it’s about keeping the home I’ve built here. After years of work and building stability, my life, my partner, and my support network are here.

While we enjoy visiting our family and friends in Slovakia, a long-term return would not be a simple solution for us. I am part of the LGBT community, and the current situation in Slovakia is not very welcoming toward minorities. We feel the rising tension in society and the fears that many people like me have. On top of that, my partner is from Mexico, which would mean facing additional challenges linked to the growing anti-immigration sentiment in Slovakia.

Belgium is not just a place where we live – it is a country where we feel safe and where we have the opportunity to build a future together without fear. We have work here, a community, and a life we’ve built step by step. Going back would not only mean a financial setback but also losing the security and stability we have found here.

What if I can’t repay these debts?

I live here with my partner, who is supporting me through this situation, but his savings are also running out. We are already cutting back on daily expenses, and this is affecting our long-term plans, like saving for a home together.

If I can’t keep up with the payments, I will have to:

• close my business, lose my current income, and try to find another job (which is currently very difficult for me in the labor market),

• take out an unfavorable loan, which would financially burden us for years to come,

• or move back to Slovakia, where we don’t feel safe.

To break out of this vicious circle and continue working as a freelancer, I need at least €10,000. This amount would help me settle the debt and cover the advances for the coming years so that I don’t end up in the same situation again.

If you would like to help me, I would be deeply grateful. Every euro will help me continue the life my partner and I have built here, without having to choose between survival and safety.

THANK YOU ❤️