How to Set Up an Entity in Belgium

Setting up a legal entity in Belgium offers an appealing gateway into the heart of Europe. With its central location between major markets, excellent infrastructure, multilingual workforce, and EU membership, Belgium is often considered an ideal base for regional expansion.

While the process is relatively straightforward compared to many jurisdictions, companies must navigate formalities such as notarial deeds, registration with the national business registry, and compliance with tax and social-security rules. The main challenges include preparing the financial plan, securing a local address and bank account, and managing ongoing reporting and governance obligations. On the upside, establishing a local entity provides limited liability, local contracting capability, and a stronger presence in the Belgian market.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Always consult official sources before acting.

What does “opening an entity” mean in Belgium?

In Belgium, “opening an entity” means incorporating a company (or registering a branch) that has its own legal personality and is entered into the national business register. In practical terms, you register with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE) and obtain an enterprise number that allows you to operate commercially in Belgium.

Entity overview in Belgium

Here is a snapshot of key variables for setting up a company in Belgium. The most commonly used structure by foreign investors is the private limited-liability company (BV/SRL).

Step-by-step guide: How to open an entity in Belgium

Step 1: Choose the right structure

Foreign investors commonly choose between a private limited company (BV / SRL) or a public limited company (NV / SA). A BV/SRL suits most small to mid-sized operations: limited liability, no fixed minimum capital, flexible governance. An NV/SA is suited for large-scale ventures, listed companies, or those raising external capital: it requires minimum capital and stricter rules. You may also consider a branch office (extension of the foreign parent) or representative office, depending on your strategy.

Step 2: Verify business name availability

Before incorporation, you must ensure your chosen company name is not already registered. You can check availability via the CBE database (via the Business Belgium portal) and ensure it does not infringe existing names or trademarks. Once the deed is filed, the name is protected.

Step 3: Prepare incorporation documents

You must draft and sign incorporation documents, typically before a Belgian notary, for companies with legal personality. Required documents include:

• The deed of incorporation (articles of association) specifies name, registered office, corporate purpose, share capital/equity, representation, and governance
• Financial plan for the first two years (mandatory for BV/SRL and NV/SA)
• Proof of payment of capital or deposit for cash contribution; if contributions in kind, an auditor’s report may be needed
• Director and shareholder identity documents, registered office address documentation, and NACE activity codes

The process and required documents are outlined on the Federal Public Service (FPS) website.

Step 4: Register with the Commercial Court

File the notarized deed of incorporation with the registrar of the Commercial Court (Tribunal de l’entreprise / Ondernemingsrechtbank) in the district of your company’s registered office. The registrar reviews the deed and forwards it to the CBE, which issues your company’s 10-digit enterprise number—its legal identifier for all official dealings.

The filing is usually handled by a Belgian notary on behalf of the founders, and an extract must be published in the Belgian Official Gazette.

Foreign founders typically complete this step through a local notary, while foreign companies opening a branch—rather than incorporating a new Belgian entity—can register that branch online via the BELparcel portal.

Step 5: Register for tax and social security

Once incorporated, you must register for corporate income tax with the Federal Public Service Finance and obtain a VAT number if you are applicable. You must also register as an employer with the Belgian social-security institutions to cover employee contributions and employer obligations.

Step 6: Open a corporate bank account

Before or soon after incorporation, you must open a Belgian-based corporate bank account in the company’s name (or foreign branch equivalent). For companies where capital is contributed in cash, you must deposit the amount and obtain a certificate from the bank. Non-residents are permitted, but banks will require due diligence, proof of incorporation, beneficial owner details, and may take several business days.

Step 7: Set up payroll and employment compliance

To hire employees in Belgium, you must register your company as an employer with the National Social Security Office (NSSO), which administers social-security contributions. Ensure full compliance with Belgian labor law—including collective agreements, minimum wage, and holiday pay—set up payroll deductions for employee and employer contributions, and issue employment contracts that meet local legal standards. For broader access to digital services, you can also use the SocialSecurity.be portal.

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Post-registration obligations

After incorporation, companies in Belgium must maintain ongoing compliance:

• Tax and financial reporting: File annual corporate income tax return, schedule advance payments, and file VAT returns monthly or quarterly, depending on turnover.
• Corporate registers: Maintain up-to-date records of shareholders, directors, beneficial owners, and file changes with CBE and notify the relevant registry.
• Compliance tracking: Maintain reminder systems for deadlines (tax, filings, employment) to avoid penalties.
• Licenses and renewals: If your activity requires a business license or a regulated profession, you must renew or maintain permits with the relevant regional or municipal authority.
• Record-keeping: Keep accounting, payroll, HR, and transactional records for the minimum statutory period (typically ten years) for audit and compliance.
• Employment law compliance: Ensure ongoing adherence to labor law, social contributions, benefits, data protection, and any sectoral regulations.

Taxes and financial considerations

• Corporate income tax: The standard corporate tax rate is 25% for companies with taxable profits above approximately. €100,000; qualifying small companies can benefit from a reduced rate of 20% on the first €100,000 profit.
• VAT/GST: Standard VAT rate is 21%; reduced rates of 12% and 6% apply for specific goods and services. Small businesses in Belgium with an annual turnover below €25,000 can opt for the VAT exemption scheme; tolerance applies up to 10 % above the threshold, after which normal VAT rules apply.
• Payroll/social contributions: Employee contributions are about 13.07% of gross salary; employer contributions vary around 27%–30% depending on the sector. Employer social contributions are around 27% of gross salary; employee contributions are about 13.07%.
• Accounting standards: Companies must maintain full accounting records and file annual accounts under Belgian GAAP; large companies may need IFRS. Smaller companies may use abbreviated reporting.

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Expand internationally with Deel

Whether you’re hiring through an EOR or establishing your own local entity, Deel’s all-in-one platform gives you everything you need to expand into Belgium—quickly, compliantly, and with confidence. From market entry to ongoing operations, Deel helps you hire, onboard, and manage teams seamlessly from day one.

With Deel, you can:

• Test new regions using Deel’s local entities through our Employer of Record service—hire employees compliantly, delegate payroll and taxes, and access localized employment contracts.
• Open entities with Deel Entity Setup, where our team manages everything—from incorporation and tax registration to coordination with local experts.
• Centralize your compliance and records with Deel Entity Management, including automated filings, calendar reminders, and visibility across all entities.
• Integrate with Deel Payroll and Deel HR for compliant payments, benefits, and workforce oversight—all in one platform.

For companies transitioning from the EOR model to owned entities, Deel ensures a smooth handover and consistent compliance every step of the way. Enter new markets, onboard talent, and manage your global workforce—all through one unified platform.

FAQs

How long does it take to open an entity in Belgium?
Typically, about 2–4 weeks, assuming all documentation is in order and the capital deposit is completed.

What is the minimum capital required?
For a BV/SRL, there is no fixed statutory minimum, but capital must be “sufficient”. For an NV/SA, the minimum is €61,500 (≈ $66,000 USD).

Can foreign companies own 100% of an entity in Belgium?
Yes. Foreign ownership is permitted, and there is no requirement for Belgian shareholder nationals.

Do I need a local director or representative?
There is no strict requirement for a resident director in most cases. However, having local representation is advisable for managing Belgian-language filings, local bank account access, and regulatory interactions.

How much does it cost to register an entity?
Registration costs vary depending on notary fees, capital deposit, and service provider support. A general estimate is from around €3,000+ (≈ $3,200).

Can I hire employees before the entity is fully registered?
Typically, you cannot legally hire under the Belgian entity until it has its enterprise number, tax registration, and employer registration in place. However, using Deel’s Employer of Record (EOR) service enables compliant hiring while you finalize entity setup.

Can Deel help me open an entity in Belgium?
Yes. Deel Entity Setup manages the end-to-end process — from registration to payroll compliance—in over 100 countries. Deel’s local experts handle documentation, filings, and legal requirements on your behalf.

Does Deel offer ongoing compliance and payroll support?
Yes. Deel offers both managed services and self-service tools to help you stay compliant.
For teams managing their own entities, Deel Compliance Hub makes staying compliant simple by providing real-time regulatory updates, risk alerts, and workforce insights across 150+ countries.

Can I switch from Deel EOR to my own entity later?
Yes. Deel supports seamless transitions when you’re ready.