🇧🇪 Belgium · Company Registration
Entity types, registration process, required documents, costs, and official registries.
Quick answer
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.
Step-by-step
- 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.
Checklist
- 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
Official authorities
- 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.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.