COREDO > Company Formation in Belgium

Company Formation in Belgium

Why Belgium?

Belgium is one of the key EU jurisdictions with direct access to the single European market and a strategic location in the heart of Europe. The country is a political and institutional center of the EU: Brussels hosts the main bodies of the European Union, creating unique opportunities for international businesses operating in regulatory and EU-related projects.

The COREDO team has been supporting company registrations in Belgium since 2016. We help foreign entrepreneurs through every stage — from selecting the legal form to opening a bank account and registering for VAT.

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Advantages of Registering a Business in Belgium

Belgium has actively worked to improve conditions for domestic and foreign investors over recent decades. Key advantages of the jurisdiction:

Political and economic stability:

Belgium is a federal state with robust democratic institutions, a member of NATO and the EU since their founding. The legal system ensures reliable protection of property rights and contract enforcement.

Highly qualified multilingual workforce:

the country’s population is fluent in Dutch, French, German, and English. Education levels and labour productivity consistently rank among the highest in the EU.

Ease of incorporation:

since 2019, the reform of the Companies Code has significantly simplified the requirements for establishing private companies (BV/SRL) by eliminating the minimum share capital requirement. This makes Belgium one of the most accessible continental European jurisdictions for startups and SMEs.

Encouragement of foreign investment:

Belgium has an extensive network of investment agencies at the federal and regional levels (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels-Capital Region) that provide support to foreign investors at every stage of market entry.

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Types of Companies in Belgium

Belgian legislation offers foreign investors a wide range of legal forms. The most popular are:

Abbreviation	Legal Form	Minimum Share Capital	Key Features
BV / SRL	Private limited liability company	None (since 2019)	Flexible management; adequate start-up capital required per the financial plan
NV / SA	Public limited company	EUR 61,500	Strict governance and reporting requirements
Comm.V / SCS	Limited partnership	Not required	One or more partners with unlimited liability
VOF / SNC	General partnership	Not required	All partners bear unlimited liability

For most foreign investors, the optimal choice is the BV/SRL — the equivalent of a limited liability company, which since 2019 does not require a minimum share capital. For public companies and large structures, the NV/SA is preferable.

In addition to establishing an independent legal entity, foreign companies may open a branch or a representative office in Belgium. A branch is a legally dependent division of a foreign company that may conduct commercial activities but is not a separate legal entity. A representative office is limited to non-commercial functions (marketing, promotion, client sourcing) and does not pay Belgian corporate tax on the parent company’s profits.

Steps to Register a Company in Belgium

The company registration process in Belgium involves the following stages:

Selecting the legal form

determining which type of company matches your goals and business structure.

01

Preparing a business plan and financial plan

a mandatory requirement for BV/SRL, confirming that start-up capital is adequate.

02

Choosing a company name and registered office

the company must have a Belgian registered office.

03

Notarial authentication of the articles of association

for BV and NV, a notarial deed is required for the preparation and registration of the Articles of Association.

04

Opening a corporate bank account

for depositing the share capital (if applicable) and conducting business.

05

Registration with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE)

obtaining a 10-digit enterprise number; carried out through an accredited business centre with the assignment of NACE activity codes.

06

Publication in the Official Gazette

(Belgisch Staatsblad / Moniteur belge) — mandatory publication of the memorandum of incorporation.

07

Registration with the Social Security Fund

for employers.

08

Obtaining a VAT number

when the turnover threshold is exceeded or on a voluntary basis.

09

Separate attention should be given to the registration of beneficial owners (UBO). All Belgian companies are required to submit data on ultimate beneficial owners (individuals holding more than 25% of shares or exercising other forms of control) to the national UBO register maintained by the Belgian Treasury. The information is subject to annual confirmation. Non-compliance carries administrative penalties. COREDO provides full support with UBO register filings and ongoing compliance.

Required Documents

The following documents are required to register a company in Belgium:

Articles of Association / Statutes — prepared by a notary

Identity documents of all founders and directors (passport or ID)

Proof of registered office address (lease agreement or proof of ownership)

Business plan and financial forecast (mandatory for BV/SRL)

Bank certificate of deposit (for NV/SA — confirmation of the deposit of EUR 61,500)

Share Capital Requirements

Legal Form	Minimum Capital	Note
BV / SRL	No minimum	Start-up capital must be adequate according to the financial plan
NV / SA	EUR 61,500	Must be fully paid up and confirmed by a bank certificate
Other forms	Not required	—

Tax Overview

Belgium offers a competitive tax system for corporate structures:

Corporate tax:

the standard rate is 25%. Small and medium-sized enterprises qualify for a reduced rate of 20% on the first EUR 100,000 of profit, subject to certain conditions.

VAT:

the standard rate is 21%. Reduced rates: 12% and 6% (on certain goods and services). VAT exemption applies for annual turnover up to EUR 25,000 (small enterprise status).

Personal income tax (IPP):

progressive scale from 25% to 50%.

Withholding tax on dividends:

30% (with exemptions under the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive).

Withholding tax on interest and royalties:

generally 30%, with reductions available under double tax treaties.

Belgium has an extensive network of double taxation agreements (DTAs) covering more than 90 countries. This significantly reduces the tax burden for international holding structures and companies with cross-border income flows.

It is important to note that a surcharge of 6.75% is applied to the calculated corporate tax, forming the total effective burden. This surcharge is a standard element of the Belgian tax system and is factored into financial planning.

Banking Support

Opening a corporate bank account is a mandatory step when registering a Belgian company. Belgian banks conduct thorough KYC analysis and may request detailed information on the beneficial ownership structure and the source of funds.

COREDO provides comprehensive assistance in opening a corporate account in Belgium. The cost of the bank account opening service starts from EUR 1,800 to EUR 2,300 + VAT, in accordance with the COREDO price list. For more details on banking services, visit the page Bank Account in Belgium.

Compliance and AML

As an EU member state, Belgium implements the requirements of European anti-money laundering legislation (AML/CFT), including Directives AMLD4 and AMLD5/6. All companies are required to:

Maintain a register of beneficial owners (UBO) and file data with the national UBO register

Comply with GDPR requirements regarding the processing of personal data of clients and employees

Obtain the relevant licences from the competent authorities when conducting regulated activities (financial, trust, and insurance services)

The Belgian financial sector is regulated by two main bodies: the **National Bank of Belgium (NBB)** — responsible for prudential supervision of banks and insurers, and the **FSMA** (Financial Services and Markets Authority) — responsible for supervision of capital markets, investment companies, and financial service providers. Companies planning to conduct regulated activities must take into account the requirements of both regulators at the registration and corporate documentation stage.

Registration Timeline

Stage	Timeline
Document preparation and business plan	3–7 business days
Notarial authentication of articles of association	1–3 business days
Registration with CBE	1–3 business days
Publication in the Official Gazette	up to 15 days
Obtaining a VAT number	1–2 weeks
Total timeline (full cycle)	approximately 2–3 weeks

COREDO Service Costs

The cost of company registration in Belgium depends on the chosen legal form, the complexity of the structure, and the range of accompanying services. To receive a personalised quote, please contact our specialists.

Our Experts

Founder & NED

Founder & NED, who has been with COREDO since the company was founded in 2016.

Pavel Kos

Head of Legal, with COREDO since June 2017.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreigner register a company in Belgium without a local director?

Yes. Belgian legislation does not require a resident director for most company forms, including BV/SRL. However, a local registered office is mandatory.

Is it necessary to be physically present in Belgium for registration?

As a rule, personal presence or a notarised power of attorney is required for signing the notarial deed. COREDO arranges remote completion of the key stages when properly executed documents are in place.

What is the minimum capital required to open a BV (LLC) in Belgium?

Since the Companies Code reform of 2019, there is no formal minimum for BV/SRL. However, founders must demonstrate that the start-up capital is sufficient for the planned activities according to the approved financial plan.

How long does the full company registration process take in Belgium?

The full cycle — from document preparation to obtaining a VAT number — takes on average approximately 2–3 weeks. Registration with CBE is completed within a few business days after notarial formalisation.

Is a Belgian company required to obtain financial licences in Belgium?

For most regulated activities (EMI, CASP, investment services), a legal entity registered in Belgium or another EU country is required. For more details, visit the page Financial Licence in Belgium.

What tax advantages does a Belgian company offer to small businesses?

Small and medium-sized enterprises meeting the established criteria may apply the reduced corporate tax rate of 20% on the first EUR 100,000 of taxable profit instead of the standard 25%.

What languages are used for company registration in Belgium?

Belgium is a trilingual country: Dutch (Flanders), French (Wallonia), and German (German-speaking Community). Corporate documents are prepared in the language of the region where the company’s registered office is located. In Brussels, both Dutch and French may be used. The notary and CBE operate in the official language of the relevant region. COREDO provides full support taking into account regional language requirements.

Can a Belgian company operate across the entire EU?

Yes. A legal entity registered in Belgium as an EU member state has the right to freely move goods, services, capital, and workers within the EU single market. For regulated activities (such as payment services or investment business), the European passporting mechanism can be used, allowing operations across all 27 EU countries under a single licence.

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Our experts will advise you on all aspects of company registration in Belgium, help with selecting the optimal legal form, preparing the documents, and opening a bank account. Submit your enquiry — and we will get back to you within one business day.