Belgium · Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
Setting up from abroad
- Usual entity for foreign founders
- SRL
- Non-resident can be sole director
- Yes
Official registry: ejustice.just.fgov.be
The Companies and Associations Code says an SRL is run by one or more directors, natural or legal persons — and adds one condition people miss: a director may not hold that mandate under an employment contract. Nationality and residence are not conditions. Rules on a non-EEA national carrying on self-employed activity in Belgium sit outside this Code.
The common company is a BV/SRL (private limited); formation requires a notarial deed and registration in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (KBO/BCE), which issues a company number. VAT registration follows if applicable.
Companies are entered in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE) via an accredited business counter; the SRL/BV is the common limited-liability form.
- The SRL/BV (private limited company) is the standard form for most businesses.
- Registration is done through an accredited business counter (guichet d'entreprises / ondernemingsloket).
- A company number from the CBE identifies the business across administrations.
- 1
Choose a legal form
The SRL/BV is the usual private company — it has no legal minimum capital since the 2019 Company Code, but an "adequate" starting capital and a financial plan are required.
- 2
Prepare the articles and financial plan
Draft the articles of association and a financial plan justifying the starting capital.
- 3
Execute the notarial deed
A Belgian notary executes the deed of incorporation and verifies the founders and capital.
- 4
Deposit the capital contribution
Pay any cash contributions into a blocked account and obtain the bank certificate for the notary.
- 5
Register with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises
Register the company in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE/BCE/KBO) through a recognised business counter (guichet d’entreprises); you receive the enterprise number.
- 6
Activate VAT and social insurance
Activate the VAT number with the FPS Finance and join a social-insurance fund for the self-employed, then open a business bank account.
- Legal form chosen (usually SRL/BV)
- Articles of association + financial plan
- Notarial deed of incorporation
- Capital contribution in a blocked account + bank certificate
- Crossroads Bank for Enterprises registration → enterprise number
- VAT number activated (FPS Finance)
- Social-insurance fund for the self-employed
- Business bank account
- Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE)
Official enterprise register.
- Business.belgium.be
Official portal for doing business.
Frequently asked questions
What is a BV/SRL?
The private limited company (Dutch BV / French SRL) is the standard flexible limited-liability form in Belgium.
Is a notary required?
Yes — forming a BV/SRL requires a notarial deed and registration in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises.
What is the KBO/BCE number?
The enterprise number issued on registration, used for tax, VAT and official dealings.
Government portals
- MyMinfin — FPS Finance — Tax return (Tax-on-web), tax documents and payment status.
- Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (KBO/BCE) — Public search of every registered Belgian company by number, name or address.
- FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue — Employment contracts, working time, wages and workplace safety rules.