START A COMPANY / EUROPE

How to register a company in Belgium

A Belgian BV needs a notarial deed and a signed financial plan but no minimum capital; the notary files it, then an enterprise counter registers you in the KBO/BCE and VAT is activated. Sole traders register directly with a counter for about €111.50.

REGISTRY: Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen (KBO) / Banque-Carrefour des Entreprises (BCE), the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, with the enterprise court registries
ONLINE: Partly online
FROM: €112 (≈ £96)
STRUCTURES HERE: 3

Go to the official registry

Setting up from abroad

Non-residents can found a BV/SRL, but a Belgian notary, a signed financial plan and a Belgian registered office are required. EEA nationals need no permit; non-EEA nationals who run the business in Belgium need a professional card from the region where they set up.

PRIVATE LIMITED COMPANY

BV / SRL: Besloten vennootschap / Société à responsabilité limitée (private limited company)

Most start-ups and small businesses wanting limited liability with no fixed minimum capital.

Liability: Limited to what you put in
You need: 1 founder (shareholder) and 1 director
Minimum capital: None fixed by law, but founders must provide 'sufficient' initial capital backed by a signed financial plan covering at least 2 years
Time: About 1 to 3 weeks: the financial plan and bank deposit come first; the notary signs within days; KBO registration and VAT activation follow within days.

Steps

Write a financial plan (at least two years) signed by all founders showing the company has sufficient initial capital; it is mandatory for a BV and is handed to the notary.
Open a business bank account, pay in the contributions and obtain the bank certificate before the notary signs.
Choose a name, a registered office in Belgium (its region sets the court language and any regional rules) and the articles of association.
Sign the notarial deed of incorporation; the notary files it with the enterprise court clerk (within 30 days of signing) and it is published in the Belgian Official Gazette.
Register the company with an accredited enterprise counter (KBO/BCE): enter your NACEBEL activities and establishments; the counter fee is about €111.50 per establishment unit in 2026.
Activate the VAT number with FPS Finance before you start (free online; €60 to €80 at a counter).
Register the ultimate beneficial owners (UBO register) within 30 days of incorporation.
Join a social insurance fund if directors will work in the company and register as an employer if you hire; non-EEA directors need a professional card.

Documents

Passport or ID for each founder and director
Signed financial plan (at least 2 years)
Bank certificate for the contributions
Articles of association drawn up by the notary
Proof of registered office in Belgium
Professional card for non-EEA nationals who run the business

Official fees

Notary (deed, filing and publication) about €900 to €1,400 excl. VAT; enterprise-counter registration about €111.50 per establishment; VAT activation free online (€60 to €80 at a counter); UBO filing free if done yourself.

Budget

How	About	What it covers
Do it yourself	€1,100≈ £940	Notary about €900-1,400 + counter €111.50; you write the financial plan and activate VAT online; capital excluded
With an accountant or agent	€2,400≈ £2,100	About €1,900 to €2,900 excl. VAT: notary, counter fees and an accountant-prepared financial plan
Full service	€4,000≈ £3,400	About €3,500 to €5,000: lawyer-drafted articles and shareholder agreement, domiciliation, bank-account help

Every year

File annual accounts with the National Bank of Belgium within 7 months of year-end and hold the annual general meeting within 6 months
Pay corporate income tax (25%; 20% on the first €100,000 for qualifying SMEs) and file the annual return
File VAT returns (monthly or quarterly)
Keep the UBO register updated (changes within 30 days)

Good to know. Steps, 30-day deadlines, financial plan and counter fee verified on business.belgium.be. Unverified: notary and VAT-counter costs for companies (from a secondary source), the company counter fee, tax rates, annual deadlines, UBO update rule, agent and lawyer costs (market estimates).

SOLE TRADER

Sole proprietorship: Eenmanszaak / entreprise individuelle (self-employed natural person)

Freelancers and small traders wanting a quick, low-cost start who accept unlimited personal liability.

Liability: Unlimited: you are personally liable
You need: 1 individual
Minimum capital: None
Time: Same day to 1 week; a professional card application for non-EEA nationals takes longer (weeks).

Steps

Check access conditions: EEA nationals need no permit; non-EEA nationals need a professional card from the region where they set up; regulated professions require proven qualifications.
Prepare your activities (NACEBEL codes), and a two-year financial plan if you are applying for a professional card.
Register online or at an accredited enterprise counter in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (KBO/BCE); the counter fee is €111.50 (2026) and you receive your enterprise number.
Activate your VAT number with FPS Finance before you start (free online; €60 to €80 at a counter).
Join a social insurance fund (compulsory for the self-employed) and a mutual health insurance scheme.
Open a business bank account, keep simple accounts and register as an employer if you hire.

Documents

Passport or ID card
Professional card (non-EEA nationals)
Diplomas or access certificates for regulated activities
Financial plan (for a professional card application)
Proof of business address

Official fees

KBO/BCE registration at an accredited counter €111.50 (2026); VAT activation free online or €60 to €80 at a counter; professional card fee varies by region; social insurance fund contributions are quarterly.

Budget

How	About	What it covers
Do it yourself	€112≈ £96	KBO/BCE registration at an accredited counter (€111.50); VAT activation done free online
With an accountant or agent	€450≈ £390	About €300 to €600: counter plus accountant set-up, VAT activation and bookkeeping
Full service	€1,000≈ £860	About €700 to €1,300: accountant package with business plan, social fund choice and first-year bookkeeping

Every year

Pay quarterly social contributions to your social insurance fund
File VAT returns (quarterly or monthly) unless exempt under the small-business scheme (turnover up to €25,000)
File the annual personal income tax return
Keep accounting records and renew any professional card

Good to know. Fee and steps verified on business.belgium.be/4. Unverified: small-business VAT threshold, social contribution amounts, agent costs (market estimates).

PUBLIC COMPANY

NV / SA: Naamloze vennootschap / Société anonyme (public limited company)

Larger or investor-led businesses needing at least €61,500 capital and a formal governance structure.

Liability: Limited to what you put in
You need: 1 founder and 1 shareholder; a board of directors or a sole director
Minimum capital: €61,500, fully subscribed at incorporation (paid-in portion unverified, commonly at least 25%)
Time: About 2 to 4 weeks: the bank deposit, financial plan and notary appointment come first.

Steps

Write a signed financial plan (at least two years) and decide the shareholders and the board; capital must be at least €61,500 and fully subscribed.
Open a business bank account, pay in the required part of the capital and obtain the bank certificate before the deed.
Choose a name and a Belgian registered office, and have the notary draft the articles of association.
Sign the notarial deed; the notary files it with the enterprise court clerk (within 30 days of signing) and it is published in the Belgian Official Gazette.
Register with an accredited enterprise counter (KBO/BCE) and activate VAT with FPS Finance before you start.
Register the ultimate beneficial owners within 30 days, enrol working directors with a social insurance fund and register as an employer if you hire.

Documents

Passport or ID for each founder and director
Signed financial plan (at least 2 years)
Bank certificate for the capital contributions
Articles of association drawn up by the notary
Proof of registered office in Belgium
Professional card for non-EEA nationals who run the business

Official fees

Notary fees are higher than for a BV (about €1,200 to €2,000 excl. VAT, unverified); counter registration about €111.50 per establishment; VAT activation free online or €60 to €80 at a counter.

Budget

How	About	What it covers
Do it yourself	€1,500≈ £1,300	Notary about €1,200-2,000 + counter €111.50, doing the financial plan and VAT yourself; capital excluded
With an accountant or agent	€3,000≈ £2,600	About €2,500 to €3,800 excl. VAT: notary, counter fees and an accountant-prepared financial plan
Full service	€5,000≈ £4,300	About €4,000 to €6,500: lawyer-drafted articles and shareholder agreement, domiciliation, bank help

Every year

File annual accounts with the National Bank of Belgium within 7 months of year-end and hold the annual general meeting within 6 months
Appoint a statutory auditor if the size thresholds are exceeded
Pay corporate income tax (25% standard rate) and file VAT returns
Keep the UBO register and shareholder register updated

Good to know. €61,500 minimum from business.belgium.be; the paid-in portion, notary fee range, audit thresholds, deadlines and agent and lawyer costs are unverified (market estimates).

After you register

Register in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises through an accredited enterprise counter and obtain your enterprise number
Activate your VAT number with FPS Finance before starting (free online, or via a counter or accountant for a fee)
Register your ultimate beneficial owners in the UBO register within 30 days of incorporation
Join a social insurance fund (self-employed and working directors) and register as an employer with the social security office if you hire
Open a business bank account (needed before the deed for BV and NV contributions)
Check regional permits and professional-competence requirements for your activity

Sources

Checked 1 Oct 2026 against:

Pound amounts use HMRC's exchange rates for 2026-10 and are a rough guide only.

Other countries in Europe

This guide is general information to help you plan, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Fees, forms and rules change: check the official registry before you file, and take professional advice for anything complex. Agent and lawyer costs are typical market prices, not quotes.

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