In short
The usual company for foreign founders is the BV/SRL (private limited company). It has no minimum capital since the 2019 Companies Code, but founders must give the notary a financial plan covering at least 2 years and start with sufficient equity. The deed is signed before a Belgian notary, published in the Belgian Official Gazette and registered in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises through a business counter (€111.50 in 2026). Corporate tax is 25%, or 20% on the first €100,000 for qualifying small companies. Owning shares needs no Belgian permit, but a non-EU director who actively works in the company needs a professional card.
Belgian company: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Usual company type | BV / SRL (private limited company)# Source: notaire.be (Fednot): the SRL |
|---|---|
| BV/SRL minimum capital | None since the 2019 Companies Code — but initial equity must be sufficient for the planned activity# Source: notaire.be (Fednot): the SRL · Code of Companies and Associations, art. 5:3 (initial equity) |
| Financial plan | Mandatory; covers at least the first 2 years and is kept by the notary# Source: Belgian Accounting Standards Commission (CNC/CBN): financial plan |
| Notary | Notarial deed required for a BV/SRL and NV/SA; the notary files it and it is published in the Belgian Official Gazette# Source: notaire.be (Fednot): how to set up a company |
| Business counter registration | €111.50 (2026)# Source: UCM business counter: fees 2026 |
| Corporate income tax | 25%# Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Belgium corporate taxes |
| SME rate | 20% on the first €100,000 of profit, for small companies that pay a director at least €50,000 a year (2026 income, indexed €51,000)# Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Belgium corporate taxes · Attentia: minimum director pay from tax year 2027 (Law of 15 July 2026) |
| VAT rates | 21% standard; 12% and 6% reduced# Source: FPS Finance: VAT rates |
| VAT small-business exemption | Turnover up to €25,000 a year (2026); a law of Sep 2026 raises it by €1,000 a year from 2027 to €30,000 in 2031# Source: FPS Finance: VAT exemption scheme for small businesses |
| Company directors | Active directors of their own company need a professional card unless exempt# Source: Brussels Economy and Employment: professional card for non-EU nationals · Agentschap Integratie & Inburgering: exemption from the professional card |
| UBO register | Register owners with more than 25% within 1 month; confirm every year# Source: FPS Finance: UBO register FAQ |
| Formation cost (BV) | about €1,250–2,600 incl. notary, publication and registration, plus the accountant's financial plan estimate# Source: Wikipreneurs: cost of setting up an SRL in 2026 |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
Belgian company law is the same for every foreign founder, so Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Brits register a BV/SRL exactly as described here. Only a few points differ:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Working in the company | Every non-EU national who actively manages the company from Belgium needs a professional card, whatever their nationality. |
|---|---|
| Home-country tax | US citizens are taxed on worldwide income and have extra filings (Form 5471, FBAR). Other nationals usually aren't — check your own country's rules. |
| Tax treaty with Belgium | Belgium has income tax treaties with the US and many other countries — check the withholding rates in yours. |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
At a Glance
Belgian Company Formation in Numbers
Why Belgium
Why Americans Register Companies in Belgium
Belgium sits at the crossroads of Western Europe. Brussels hosts the EU's executive and legislative institutions and thousands of international organisations and companies, and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is Europe's second-largest port. For businesses that want a European address with institutional weight, Belgium is a natural choice.
Belgium's tax system is not the EU's lowest, but it has features that matter to international businesses — a 100% deduction for qualifying dividends received from subsidiaries, an income tax treaty with the United States, and a highly educated, multilingual workforce (Dutch, French, German and widely English).
Business Structures
Which Entity Type Is Right for You?
Belgium's Code of Companies and Associations (in force since 2019) reformed company law. The BV/SRL replaced the old BVBA/SPRL as the standard limited liability company and dropped the minimum capital requirement. For most foreign founders the BV/SRL is the clear choice.
Private Limited Company
BV/SRL — Besloten Vennootschap / Société à Responsabilité Limitée
The standard choice for SMEs and foreign founders. No minimum capital; instead founders must give the notary a financial plan for at least the first two years and start with equity that is sufficient for the planned activity. If the company goes bankrupt within 3 years and its starting equity was clearly insufficient, founders can be held liable.
- Min. capital
- None (financial plan required)
- Directors
- 1 or more (no residence requirement)
- Liability
- Limited to contributions
Public Limited Company
NV/SA — Naamloze Vennootschap / Société Anonyme
For larger businesses, outside investors or a future listing on Euronext Brussels. Requires minimum capital of €61,500 and stricter governance. Rarely the right first step for a foreign founder.
- Min. capital
- €61,500
- Liability
- Limited to contributions
Sole Proprietorship
Eenmanszaak / Entreprise individuelle
For individuals trading in their own name. No separation between personal and business assets — the owner is personally liable for all debts. A non-EU national needs a professional card to trade this way.
- Min. capital
- None
- Liability
- Unlimited personal liability
General / Limited Partnership
VOF/SNC or CommV/SCS
Partnerships of two or more partners. General partners are personally liable; in a limited partnership (CommV/SCS) silent partners' liability is capped at their contribution while at least one partner stays fully liable. Rarely used by foreign founders.
- Min. capital
- None
- Liability
- Unlimited for general partners
Tax Environment
Belgium's Corporate Tax Structure
Belgium's standard corporate income tax rate is 25%. Small companies pay 20% on their first €100,000 of profit if they meet the conditions — including paying at least one director at least €50,000 a year (2026 income, indexed to €51,000; new companies are exempt from this condition for their first 4 tax periods). Qualifying dividends received from subsidiaries are 100% deductible. The notional interest deduction that older guides mention was abolished for tax periods closing from 31 December 2023.
Belgium's standard withholding tax on dividends is 30%. Under the US–Belgium tax treaty, dividends paid to a US company that has held at least 10% for 12 months are exempt; other holdings of 10% or more pay 5%, and all other cases 15%. Interest and royalties are generally taxed only in the country of residence.
US citizens and Green Card holders are taxed on worldwide income. Owning a Belgian BV/SRL usually means filing Form 5471 and an FBAR if your foreign accounts exceed $10,000 in total. From tax years starting in 2026, GILTI has been renamed net CFC tested income (NCTI); the high-tax exclusion still applies where the foreign effective rate is above 18.9%, which Belgium's 25% rate generally exceeds. Confirm your structure with a US cross-border tax adviser.
Step-by-Step Process
How to Register a Company in Belgium
Forming a BV/SRL means preparing a financial plan, signing a notarial deed and registering through an approved business counter. Belgium's process is notary-centred — you cannot set up a BV/SRL or NV/SA without a notary. Timing depends mostly on the bank account and the notary's schedule.
Choose your structure and check the professional card Decision + compliance check
For most foreign founders the BV/SRL is the right choice. Decide early whether you will work in Belgium. Owning shares does not require a Belgian permit, but a non-EU national who actively manages the company or works as self-employed in Belgium needs a professional card before starting.
Prepare the financial plan Mandatory document
A financial plan is required by law. It must cover at least the first two years and include: a description of the planned activity, all financing sources, an opening balance sheet and projected balance sheets and profit-and-loss accounts after 12 and 24 months, and a budget of expected income and expenses. You give it to the notary, who keeps it. An accountant usually prepares it.
Choose and check the company name Name check
The name must differ from that of any other legal person and be followed by the legal form (BV/SRL, or the full words). Check the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE) online; your notary or business counter can help.
Open a bank account and deposit cash contributions Banking
Cash contributions must be paid into a special account in the company's name before the deed is signed; the bank gives a certificate to the notary and releases the money once the company is formed. Belgian banks run anti-money-laundering checks, so non-resident founders should prepare clear documents on ownership, business purpose and expected transactions. For an NV/SA the minimum capital is €61,500.
Sign the deed before a notary Notary required
A Belgian notary drafts and executes the deed of incorporation with the articles of association, share structure and directors. The notary files it with the enterprise court registry and has an extract published in the Belgian Official Gazette (Moniteur belge / Belgisch Staatsblad). Non-residents can attend in person or sign through a power of attorney.
Register in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises €111.50 fee
Register the company's activities through an approved business counter (guichet d'entreprises / ondernemingsloket): Acerta, Eunomia, Formalis (Group S), Liantis, Partena, Securex, UCM or Xerius. The fee is €111.50 (2026). The company gets a 10-digit enterprise number — new numbers start with 1 — which is its identifier for tax and administration.
Activate VAT Before first invoice
Activate the company's VAT number with FPS Finance; the business counter can do it for you. The VAT number is BE followed by the enterprise number. A Belgian company with turnover up to €25,000 a year (2026) may choose the small-business exemption, but then cannot reclaim input VAT — most trading companies register normally. Activate VAT before you send your first invoice.
Join a social insurance fund and register as employer Before you start
Self-employed people — including working company directors — must join a social insurance fund before their activity starts. Contributions are 20.5% of income up to €75,024.54 (2026), with a minimum of €926.48 a quarter. If you hire staff, register as an employer with the National Social Security Office (ONSS/RSZ); employer contributions are about 25% of gross salary and employees pay 13.07%.
Costs & Fees
What Does It Cost to Register a Company in Belgium?
Setting up a BV/SRL typically costs about €1,250–2,600 in notary fees, publication and registration, plus the accountant's fee for the financial plan. These are estimates — ask the notary and accountant for a quote.
| Cost item | Notes | Est. amount |
|---|---|---|
| Notary fees | Deed of incorporation and articles of association; notary fees are regulated. | about €750–1,200 |
| Publication in the Official Gazette | Extract of the deed published in the Belgian Official Gazette. | about €225–355 |
| Registration duty and registry costs | Registration of the deed and filing with the enterprise court registry. | about €150 |
| Business counter registration | Registration in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises. | €111.50 (2026) |
| Financial plan | Usually prepared by an accountant; required by law for a BV/SRL. | quote from your accountant |
| Accounting & annual compliance | Annual accounts, corporate tax return and VAT returns. | quote from your accountant |
Estimates for 2026. Source: Wikipreneurs: cost of setting up an SRL · UCM: business counter fees 2026
Ongoing Obligations
Post-Registration Requirements
Belgian companies have clear ongoing obligations, and Belgium's accounting and legal professions are experienced with international clients.
Annual accounts and corporate tax return
The general meeting approves the annual accounts within 6 months of the year end, and they must be filed with the National Bank of Belgium within 30 days of approval — at the latest 7 months after the year end. Filed accounts are public. The corporate tax return goes to FPS Finance.
Directors
A BV/SRL needs at least one director (bestuurder / administrateur). Directors do not have to live in Belgium, but a non-EU director who actively works in Belgium needs a professional card. Changes of directors are published in the Belgian Official Gazette.
Accounting and audit
Companies keep double-entry accounts under Belgian rules. Small companies need no statutory auditor: a company is small if it exceeds no more than one of 50 employees, €11.25 million turnover and a €6 million balance sheet total.
UBO register
Companies must register their ultimate beneficial owners — for example anyone holding more than 25% of shares or votes — within one month of incorporation or of any change, and confirm the data every year.
Expert Notes
What Americans Should Know Before Registering in Belgium
The professional card is an early step for American directors
A non-EU national who wants to work in Belgium as self-employed — including as an active director of their own company — needs a professional card before starting. It is issued by the region (Brussels, Flanders or Wallonia), which checks that the activity benefits its economy. Brussels decides within 3 months; the card costs €140 plus €90 and is valid for up to 5 years (usually 2 at first). Plan for it before you fix your timeline.
The financial plan matters
Replacing minimum capital with a financial plan was designed to protect creditors. If the company goes bankrupt within 3 years and its starting equity was clearly insufficient for two years of normal activity, founders can be held personally liable — and the court then sees the plan. Have a Belgian accountant prepare it. Directories like LocalVouch can help you find vetted, English-speaking Belgian accountants and notaries.
VAT works differently for Belgian and foreign companies
Foreign businesses not established in Belgium must register for VAT from their first taxable supply. Your BV/SRL is a Belgian company, so it can choose the small-business exemption with turnover up to €25,000 a year (a September 2026 law raises this by €1,000 a year from 2027 to €30,000 in 2031) — but then it cannot reclaim input VAT, so most trading companies register normally.
Language rules affect documents
Belgium has three official languages — Dutch in Flanders, French in Wallonia and German in the east — and Brussels is bilingual (French/Dutch). Deeds and official filings are made in the language of the region where the company has its registered office. Lawyers and accountants in Brussels and Antwerp usually work in English as well.
Check the US side before you incorporate
Belgium's 25% rate generally exceeds the 18.9% high-tax threshold for US purposes, and the US–Belgium treaty reduces withholding on dividends (0%, 5% or 15%). But the high-tax exclusion is an election and depends on your structure — speak to a US cross-border tax adviser with Belgian experience before you incorporate.
Registering a Belgian company is right for you if…
- You want an EU business address with institutional weight — close to the EU institutions, NATO and international networks in Brussels and Antwerp.
- You need a company in the EU single market and access to Belgium's multilingual workforce and logistics hub.
- You are prepared for the notary, the financial plan and yearly filings, and see them as marks of a creditor-protective legal system.
- You have checked whether you need a professional card to work in the company yourself.
- You have taken US tax advice on how your Belgian profits will be treated.
We work with trusted Belgian corporate lawyers, notaries and accountants who specialise in companies for non-EU founders — from the financial plan and professional card to the notary, CBE registration, VAT and ongoing compliance.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common company type for foreigners in Belgium?
The BV/SRL (besloten vennootschap / société à responsabilité limitée), Belgium's private limited company. It has no minimum capital; instead founders give the notary a financial plan for at least two years and must start with sufficient equity.
What is the corporate tax rate in Belgium?
25%. Qualifying small companies pay 20% on the first €100,000 of profit, provided (among other conditions) that they pay at least one director at least €50,000 a year for 2026 income — new companies are exempt from this pay condition for their first 4 tax periods. The notional interest deduction was abolished from tax periods closing on 31 December 2023.
How long does it take to register a company in Belgium?
It depends mainly on opening the bank account, preparing the financial plan and the notary's schedule. Once the deed is signed, the notary files it and registration through a business counter is quick. If you will work in the company yourself, allow about 3 months for a professional card in Brussels.
Do I need to live in Belgium to register a company there?
No. Shareholders and directors don't have to live in Belgium. But a non-EU national who actively works in Belgium as a director or self-employed person needs a professional card, and a company does not by itself give you a right to live in Belgium.
Is there a minimum share capital for a Belgian BV/SRL?
No. Since the 2019 Companies Code a BV/SRL has no minimum capital. Founders must provide a financial plan covering at least two years and start with equity sufficient for the planned activity; if the company fails within 3 years with clearly insufficient equity, they can be held liable. An NV/SA needs €61,500.
Can Canadians, Australians or Brits register a company in Belgium?
Yes, on exactly the same terms as Americans, including the professional card if they will work in the company from Belgium. What differs is home-country tax and whether your country has a tax treaty with Belgium.
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