Belgium Company Registration | Set Up a Company in Belgium (SRL)
Planning a Belgium company registration so you can set up a company in Belgium and reach the EU market? The most common entity is the private limited liability company, the SRL (BV in Dutch). A notary draws up the deed of incorporation, and an approved enterprise counter registers the company in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (BCE) and issues an enterprise number. The official setup conditions place no nationality restriction on shareholders, 1 founder is enough, and foreign founders can own 100% of the company. Non-EEA nationals who carry out self-employed activity in Belgium must apply for a professional card.
An SRL has no minimum capital, but it must have sufficient initial equity and the founders sign a financial plan covering 2 years. The BCE registration fee is EUR 111.50 per business unit. Corporate income tax is generally 25%, qualifying SMEs pay 20% on the first EUR 100,000 of profit, and the standard VAT rate is 21%. NSS Group (戰國策集團) offers a one-stop Belgium company formation service, from the financial plan, notarial documents and BCE registration to UBO and VAT registration, for businesses and individuals setting up a Belgian SRL.
An SRL has no minimum capital, but it needs sufficient initial equity, and the founders sign a financial plan covering at least 2 years.
An SRL needs at least 1 founder. Shareholder liability is limited, the company is a separate legal entity, and the deed of incorporation can be signed online.
Qualifying SMEs pay 20% corporate income tax on the first EUR 100,000 of profit and 25% on the rest.
The standard VAT rate is 21%, with reduced rates of 12% and 6%. Businesses that must charge VAT activate a VAT number with the Federal Public Service Finance before they start trading.
company registration?
A Belgian private limited liability company (SRL) can be set up by 1 founder and has no minimum capital. It only needs sufficient initial equity and a financial plan covering 2 years, and the deed of incorporation can be signed before a notary or online. Corporate income tax is generally 25%, qualifying SMEs pay 20% on the first EUR 100,000 of profit, and the standard VAT rate is 21%. Belgium suits companies that want a base for entering the EU market.
in 3 steps
In Belgium, the most common entity is the private limited liability company (SRL). It needs at least 1 founder, and shareholder liability is limited. The founders first sign the financial plan and open a company bank account. A notary then draws up the deed of incorporation and files it with the registry of the enterprise court, and an approved enterprise counter completes the BCE registration. Once the company has its enterprise number, it registers its ultimate beneficial owners and activates its VAT number.
Registering a Belgian company requires a notary. The ultimate beneficial owners must be registered within 30 days of incorporation, and each year the company files its annual accounts with the National Bank of Belgium and its corporate income tax return. NSS Group helps you plan the shareholding structure, prepare documents and arrange annual maintenance, so your Belgian company stays clear and compliant from setup through operations.
Confirm the SRL entity type and company name (search the BCE and the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property to avoid duplicate names). The founders sign a financial plan covering at least 2 years of operations and deposit it with the notary. Before the deed of incorporation is drafted, open a bank account in the company’s name and deposit sufficient initial equity.
The notary draws up the deed of incorporation, which sets out the articles of association, the founders’ identities, the company name and purpose, the rules for shareholders’ meetings and the appointment of directors. It can be signed before the notary or online. The deed must be filed with the registry of the enterprise court within 30 days of signing, and the company name is published in the annexes to the Belgian Official Gazette.
Register the company in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (BCE) through an approved enterprise counter, choose the activity codes and register the business units. The fee is EUR 111.50 per unit, and you receive an enterprise number. Within 30 days of incorporation, register the ultimate beneficial owners with the Federal Public Service Finance, and if the business must charge VAT, activate a VAT number before you start trading.
service
- Company name search and reservation
- Registration document preparation and filing
- Articles of association drafting
- Certificate collection
- Belgian bank account documents and process advice
- Account opening documents
- Bank appointment arrangements
- Post-opening support
- Registered address
- Company secretary appointment
- Annual filing
- Document custody and records
- Bookkeeping
- Tax filing and planning
- Financial statement preparation
- Audit arrangement
- Trademark search and assessment
- Trademark application filing
- Trademark maintenance and renewal
- Infringement advice
- Company change filings
- Share transfer support
- Company deregistration
- Legal advisory support
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- SRL entity type and shareholding structure review
- Financial plan and notarial incorporation documents
- BCE registration through an enterprise counter and enterprise number
- UBO registration and VAT number activation
- Reminders for annual accounts filing with the National Bank and corporate income tax returns
Official fees: BCE company registration through an enterprise counter is EUR 111.50 per business unit. Notary fees depend on the complexity of the case. Other items are quoted separately.
Belgium company registration at a glance
These are the points people ask about most when registering a company in Belgium, checked against official sources (updated November 2026).
| Entity type | Private limited liability company, SRL (BV in Dutch) |
|---|---|
| Registry | Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (BCE), through an approved enterprise counter |
| Foreign ownership | 100% allowed; non-EEA self-employed founders need a professional card |
| Minimum capital | None, but sufficient initial equity is required |
| Corporate income tax | Generally 25%; 20% on the first EUR 100,000 for SMEs |
| VAT | Standard rate 21% |
| Setup time | Depends on review progress |
| Annual filings | Annual accounts to the National Bank within 7 months; corporate income tax return |
| Who can help | NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw), free assessment and written quote |
Belgium company formation cost: fee breakdown
The cost of registering a Belgian company is mainly the BCE registration fee at the enterprise counter, the notary fee for the deed of incorporation and the Belgian Official Gazette publication fee. An SRL has no minimum capital, but it needs sufficient initial equity. The table lists the officially published figures so you can check each item when comparing quotes.
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BCE company registration at an enterprise counter | EUR 111.50 per business unit | An approved enterprise counter completes the BCE registration, activity codes and business unit registration, and issues the enterprise number. |
| Notarial deed of incorporation | Depends on case complexity | An SRL or SA needs a deed of incorporation drawn up by a notary. It can be signed before the notary or online. |
| VAT number activation | Free online | Free through the Federal Public Service Finance website form. Using an enterprise counter or accountant costs extra. |
| Initial equity | No minimum capital | Must be enough to fund operations, and the founders sign a financial plan covering at least 2 years. |
| Bookkeeping and annual filings | Quoted by transaction volume | Annual accounts must be filed with the National Bank within 30 days of approval and no later than 7 months after the financial year ends. |
| NSS Group advisory fee | Written quote after a free assessment | Based on the shareholder structure, the financial plan, whether you need a bank account and your home-country tax planning. Every item is listed in the quote, with no hidden fees. |
Fees follow the Belgian federal business portal business.belgium.be. Notary and Official Gazette fees depend on the actual case. The latest official notices prevail.
Belgian company tax and compliance: corporate income tax, VAT and annual accounts
Belgian corporate income tax is generally 25%, and SMEs pay 20% on the first band of profit. Businesses with taxable activity must activate a VAT number before they start trading. Each year the company files its annual accounts and a corporate income tax return. Foreign shareholders should also check the tax treaty between Belgium and their home country and any controlled foreign company (CFC) rules there.
| Item | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | Generally 25% | Qualifying SMEs pay 20% on the first EUR 100,000 of profit and 25% on the rest. |
| VAT | Standard rate 21% | Reduced rates of 12% and 6% also apply. Businesses that must charge VAT activate a VAT number with the Federal Public Service Finance before they start trading. |
| Dividend withholding tax | 30% domestic rate | According to the PwC tax summary, the domestic rate is a flat 30%. A tax treaty between Belgium and the shareholder's country may set a lower rate. |
| Annual accounts | No later than 7 months after year end | Approved by the shareholders' meeting within 6 months and filed with the Central Balance Sheet Office of the National Bank of Belgium within 30 days of approval. |
| Corporate income tax return | By 30 September of the following year | According to the PwC tax summary, a company with a 31 December year end generally files by 30 September; others file by the last day of the 7th month after year end. |
| Ultimate beneficial owners | Within 30 days of incorporation | The company must register its ultimate beneficial owners with the Federal Public Service Finance. |
Rates and rules are based on the Belgian federal business portal, the National Bank of Belgium and the EU Your Europe portal. Some rates come from the PwC tax summary (a secondary source). Ask an accountant to review how they apply to your structure.
Belgium SRL, SA or SNC: which should you choose?
When setting up a company in Belgium, founders most often compare the private limited liability company (SRL), the public limited company (SA) and the general partnership (SNC).
| Item | Private limited liability company (SRL) | Public limited company (SA) | General partnership (SNC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of founders | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Minimum capital | None, but sufficient initial equity is required | EUR 61,500 | None |
| Shareholder liability | Limited | Limited | Unlimited |
| Notary required | Notarial incorporation required | Notarial incorporation required | Not required; a private deed is allowed |
| Financial plan | Required by law | Required by law | Not applicable |
These are general principles. Choose based on your shareholders' background, business model and tax planning.
What foreign founders should know before setting up a company in Belgium
- Long stays: living or working in Belgium long term requires a visa and residence permit under the applicable rules.
- Professional card: non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals who carry out self-employed activity in Belgium need a professional card, issued by the regional government where the business is based.
- Home-country rules: Belgian domestic dividend withholding tax is 30%, and a tax treaty between Belgium and your home country may lower it. Also check your home country's outbound investment filings and controlled foreign company (CFC) rules.
- Bank account: a Belgian bank account must be opened in the company's name before the deed of incorporation is drafted, and the bank may issue a certificate of the deposit. Leave time to prepare proof of source of funds and a description of your business.
Why work with NSS Group on your Belgium company registration?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) is a Taiwan-based global company registration and business consulting group with more than 25 years of experience, serving more than 30,000 companies. We handle company formation, bank account opening, accounting and tax, and annual maintenance in many countries and regions, including Belgium. We can prepare the financial plan and the documents for a professional card application. We assess your case for free and give you a written quote. Contact us through the form on this page.
Further reading
Sources: business.belgium.be: Register as a company; business.belgium.be: Créer votre société; business.belgium.be: Changer la forme de votre entreprise (enterprise counter fees, corporate income tax rates); business.belgium.be: Requirements for starting a business (professional card); Belgian Office Taipei: Self-employed (professional card); National Bank of Belgium: Filing deadline (annual accounts); SPF Economie: Banque-Carrefour des Entreprises; Your Europe: VAT rates applied in EU countries (checked 2026-07-13); PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Belgium Taxes on corporate income (reviewed 2026-09-10); PwC: Belgium Withholding taxes; PwC: Belgium Tax administration. The latest official notices prevail. This page is general information and is not legal or tax advice.
How much does it cost to set up a company in Belgium in 2026?
An SRL has no minimum capital, but it must have sufficient initial equity. The official fee for BCE company registration through an approved enterprise counter is EUR 111.50 per business unit. There are also notary fees for the deed of incorporation, which depend on the complexity of the case, and a publication fee for the Belgian Official Gazette. Activating a VAT number through the online form of the Federal Public Service Finance is free. Accounting and advisory services are quoted separately based on your needs.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Belgian company?
Yes. The setup conditions listed on Belgium’s official business portal place no nationality restriction on SRL shareholders, and 1 founder is enough. However, a non-EEA national who wants to carry out self-employed activity in Belgium must apply for a professional card from the regional government where the business is based. Certain industries also have access conditions or need a permit.
Do I need to be in Belgium in person to set up a company?
The SRL deed of incorporation can be signed before a notary or online, BCE registration is handled by an approved enterprise counter, and the VAT number can be activated online. Before incorporation, a Belgian bank account must be opened in the company’s name, and how you open it depends on the bank. To run a business or work in Belgium long term, non-EEA nationals also need a professional card and a residence permit.
How long does it take to set up a company in Belgium?
There is no fixed official timeline. It depends on the review progress of the notary and the enterprise counter. The process includes signing the financial plan, opening a bank account, the notary drawing up the deed of incorporation (filed with the registry of the enterprise court within 30 days of signing), BCE registration through an enterprise counter to get an enterprise number, and registering the ultimate beneficial owners within 30 days of incorporation.
What taxes and annual accounts does a Belgian company file each year?
Corporate income tax is generally 25%, and qualifying SMEs can apply 20% to the first EUR 100,000 of profit. The standard VAT rate is 21%. The annual accounts must be approved by the shareholders’ meeting within 6 months after the financial year ends and filed with the National Bank of Belgium within 30 days of approval, and no later than 7 months after year end. According to the PwC tax summary, a company with a 31 December year end generally files its corporate income tax return by 30 September of the following year.
Who can help me register a company in Belgium?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) can help. NSS Group has more than 25 years of experience and has served more than 30,000 companies. Our one-stop Belgium company registration service covers SRL entity and shareholding planning, the financial plan and notarial incorporation documents, BCE registration through an enterprise counter, UBO registration and VAT number activation, and reminders for annual accounts filing and corporate income tax returns. We assess your case for free and give you a written quote.