By the US GO EU Belgian Team · Last updated July 11, 2026
25%
Standard corporate income tax — reduced to 20% on the first €100,000 of profit for qualifying small companies
€0
Minimum share capital for a BV/SRL — replaced by a mandatory financial plan demonstrating two years of operational viability
2–4
Weeks to complete formation — notarization of the deed of incorporation is the primary time driver for the full registration process
Why Americans Register Companies in Belgium
Belgium's strategic position at the crossroads of Western Europe makes it one of the continent's most important commercial hubs. Within a 500-kilometre radius of Brussels lie the headquarters of thousands of multinationals, the EU's legislative and executive institutions, and some of the world's busiest ports — including Antwerp, Europe's second-largest. For businesses seeking a European address that carries genuine institutional weight, Belgium is a natural first choice.
Belgium's tax framework, while not the lowest in the EU, offers structural advantages that are particularly relevant to international businesses — including a notional interest deduction (NID) that allows companies to deduct a notional return on equity from taxable income, a participation exemption that generally exempts qualifying dividend income from corporate tax, and an extensive treaty network covering over 100 countries including the United States. Belgium's highly educated trilingual workforce — Dutch, French, and German — provides genuine operational depth for internationally oriented businesses.
Business StructuresWhich Entity Type Is Right for You?
Belgium's 2019 Companies and Associations Code reformed the country's company law significantly. The BV/SRL replaced the old BVBA/SPRL as the standard limited liability structure, removing the minimum capital requirement and introducing greater flexibility. For foreign entrepreneurs and American business owners, the BV/SRL is the clear choice.
Most Popular★ Recommended for Americans
Private Limited Company
BV/SRL — Besloten Vennootschap / Société à Responsabilité Limitée
Belgium's reformed limited liability company — the standard choice for SMEs and foreign entrepreneurs since the 2019 Companies Code. No minimum share capital; instead, a mandatory financial plan must demonstrate sufficient resources for two years of operations. Limited liability for shareholders. Requires notarization of the deed of incorporation.
Larger Businesses
Public Limited Company
NV/SA — Naamloze Vennootschap / Société Anonyme
For larger businesses seeking public investment or planning a listing on Euronext Brussels. Can issue shares to the public. Requires minimum share capital of €61,500, stricter governance including mandatory board structures, and greater regulatory compliance obligations. Not suitable for most initial foreign registrations.
Sole Traders
Sole Proprietorship
Eenmanszaak / Entreprise individuelle
For individuals operating independently. No separation between personal and business assets — the owner bears unlimited liability for all business debts. Simple to establish but financially exposed. Non-EU nationals operating as self-employed in Belgium typically require a Professional Card, making this structure particularly complex for Americans.
Partnerships
General / Limited Partnership
VOF/SNC or CommV/SCS
Partnership structures for two or more partners. General partners in a VOF/SNC bear unlimited liability. The CommV/SCS (limited partnership) allows some partners to cap liability to their capital contribution while at least one general partner retains full liability. Rarely chosen by non-resident foreign founders.
Belgium's Corporate Tax Structure
Belgium's corporate tax system is more complex than its headline 25% rate suggests — in a good way for well-structured international businesses. Two significant structural features reduce the effective tax burden below the nominal rate: the notional interest deduction (NID), which allows companies to deduct a notional return on equity from taxable income, and the participation exemption, which generally exempts 100% of qualifying dividend income received by Belgian companies from corporate tax.
Belgian Corporate Tax — Headline Rate and Key Incentives
Belgium Tax Framework
25%
Standard corporate income tax — reduced to 20% on the first €100,000 for qualifying SMEs meeting specific conditions
NID
Notional interest deduction — a Belgium-specific allowance enabling companies to deduct a notional return on equity from taxable profit
21%
Standard VAT rate — non-established foreign businesses must register from the first taxable transaction; Belgian-established micro-businesses under €25,000/yr turnover (rising to €30,000, pending) can opt into a small-business exemption instead
Belgium has one of the EU's most extensive double taxation treaty networks — covering over 100 countries including the United States. The US-Belgium tax treaty provides relief on withholding taxes for dividends, interest, and royalties paid between the two countries. Dividend withholding tax is 30% in general but reduced to 5% or 0% under the US-Belgium treaty depending on the shareholding structure. Belgium's participation exemption generally exempts 100% of qualifying dividends received by Belgian companies from corporation tax. The standard VAT rate is 21%, with reduced rates of 12% and 6% applying to specific goods and services.
⚠️ US Tax Obligations Apply to Belgian Company Owners
US citizens and Green Card holders are taxed by the United States on worldwide income regardless of where their business is incorporated. Owning a Belgian BV/SRL creates US filing obligations — including FBAR reporting for Belgian bank accounts over $10,000, Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) reporting, and GILTI (Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income) provisions. At 25%, Belgium's corporate tax rate is above the GILTI high-tax exclusion threshold of 18.9%, meaning Belgian profits are likely to qualify for the GILTI high-tax exclusion — potentially eliminating the additional US tax layer on undistributed profits. The US-Belgium tax treaty provides important additional relief on withholding taxes. Confirm treatment with a US-qualified cross-border tax advisor.
How to Register a Company in Belgium
Forming a BV/SRL in Belgium is a structured process involving a mandatory financial plan, a notarized deed of incorporation, and registration through an accredited business counter (guichet d'entreprises / ondernemingsloket). The full process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. Belgium's process is notary-centric — unlike some other EU jurisdictions, you cannot bypass the notary stage for a BV/SRL or NV/SA.
1
Choose Your Business Structure and Check the Professional Card Requirement
For most foreign entrepreneurs and Americans, the BV/SRL is the correct choice. Before proceeding, determine whether you will need a Professional Card (Beroepskaart / Carte professionnelle) to work in Belgium as a self-employed director. Non-EU nationals who plan to actively work in Belgium — including as a director of their own company — generally require this card before commencing activities. Share ownership alone does not require a Professional Card; active management does.
Decision + compliance check
2
Prepare a Business and Financial Plan
For a BV/SRL, a detailed financial plan is legally mandatory — replacing the old minimum capital requirement. The plan must demonstrate that the company has sufficient financial resources to cover its planned activities for at least two years. It must include projected profit and loss statements, cash flow forecasts, and a balance sheet. The notary reviews and retains this document. A general business plan is also strongly recommended. Weak financial plans are a common cause of formation delays — engage an accountant to prepare this document.
Mandatory document
3
Choose and Check Your Company Name
The company name must be unique and must not be misleading or identical to an existing registered entity. Check name availability through the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE) database online. For a BV/SRL, the name must include the abbreviation "BV" or "SRL" (or the full Dutch or French form). Your notary or business counter can assist with the name search and reservation process.
~1–2 days
4
Open a Professional Business Bank Account
Open a dedicated business bank account in the company's name before visiting the notary. While there is no minimum capital to deposit for a BV/SRL, the bank account must exist and be operational before the deed of incorporation can be signed. Belgian banks apply AML due diligence to new accounts — non-resident founders should prepare thorough documentation on ownership structure, business purpose, and expected transaction flows. For an NV/SA, the minimum capital of €61,500 must be deposited into a blocked account and a bank certificate obtained for the notary.
Banking
5
Notarize the Deed of Incorporation
Attend a Belgian civil-law notary (notaris / notaire) to draft and sign the notarial deed of incorporation. This deed includes the company's articles of association, share structure, governance arrangements, and the identity of founding shareholders and directors. The notary verifies the financial plan, reviews all documentation, and witnesses the signing. The notary then files the deed with the clerk of the enterprise court (griffie van de ondernemingsrechtbank). Non-residents may attend in person or grant a power of attorney to a Belgian representative to sign on their behalf.
Notarization required
6
Register with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE)
After the notary files the deed, complete the registration with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen — KBO / Banque-Carrefour des Entreprises — BCE) through an accredited business counter (guichet d'entreprises / ondernemingsloket). The eight accredited business counters are: Acerta, Eunomia, Group S, Liantis, Partena, Securex, UCM, and Xerius. Your company will receive a unique 10-digit enterprise number (ondernemingsnummer / numéro d'entreprise) — its official legal identifier for all tax and administrative purposes. The registration fee is approximately €111.50.
~€111.50 fee
7
Register for VAT
Register the company for Value Added Tax (BTW / TVA) with the Federal Public Service Finance (FPS Finance). Belgium has no VAT registration threshold for non-established foreign businesses — but your BV/SRL will itself be a Belgian-established company, so it technically qualifies for the small-business exemption scheme if annual turnover stays under €25,000 (a threshold set to rise to €30,000, pending parliamentary approval as of 2026). In practice, almost every genuine trading company registers for standard VAT anyway, since the exemption scheme blocks you from reclaiming input VAT and can look unusual to B2B clients. The business counter can handle VAT activation on your behalf. Your VAT number will be your enterprise number prefixed with "BE" (e.g., BE0123456789).
No threshold — register immediately
8
Join a Social Insurance Fund and Register as Employer (if applicable)
Every self-employed person — including active directors of a BV/SRL — must join a social insurance fund (sociaalverzekeringsfonds / caisse d'assurances sociales) within 90 days of registration. This covers health insurance, family allowances, and pension contributions. If your company will hire employees, register as an employer with the National Social Security Office (RSZ / ONSS). Employer social security contributions are approximately 25% of gross salary; employee contributions are 13.07%.
Within 90 days
What Does It Cost to Register a Company in Belgium?
Belgium's company formation costs are mid-to-high by EU standards, reflecting mandatory notarization, professional advisory involvement, and the required financial plan preparation. Total costs for forming a BV/SRL are typically between €2,000 and €5,000, depending on the complexity of the structure and the advisory fees involved.
| Cost Item | Notes | Est. Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Notary fees | Mandatory notarization of the deed of incorporation including articles of association. Regulated by the Royal Federation of Belgian Notaries. | €800–€1,500 |
| Business counter registration fee | Fee payable to the accredited business counter for CBE registration. Indexed annually. | ~€111.50 |
| Financial plan preparation | Mandatory for BV/SRL formation — must be prepared by an accountant and demonstrate two years of financial viability. A weak plan can delay formation. | €300–€800 |
| Registered office address | Every Belgian company requires a local registered address. Virtual office services are available in Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent. | €500–€1,200/yr |
| Legal & advisory fees | Attorney assistance with structuring, articles of association, Professional Card application (if required), and formation coordination. | €500–€1,500 |
| Accounting & annual compliance | Annual financial statements and corporate tax returns mandatory. Statutory audit required for larger companies exceeding size thresholds. | €1,500–€4,000/yr |
Post-Registration Requirements
Belgian companies face comprehensive ongoing compliance obligations. Annual reporting, accounting, and governance requirements are well-structured and professionally supported. Belgium's legal and accounting infrastructure for international businesses is among the most developed in Western Europe.
Annual Financial Statements & Corporate Tax Returns
All Belgian companies must prepare annual financial statements in accordance with Belgian accounting standards and submit corporate income tax returns to the FPS Finance. Annual accounts must be filed with the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) and are publicly accessible. The annual accounts filing deadline is seven months after the close of the financial year.
Corporate Governance — Director(s)
A BV/SRL requires at least one director (bestuurder / administrateur), who is registered with the CBE. Directors can be foreign nationals and are not required to reside in Belgium. The director bears responsibility for the company's legal and tax compliance. Changes to the board of directors must be notified to the CBE and published in the Belgian Official Gazette (Belgisch Staatsblad / Moniteur belge).
Accounting Records
Belgian companies must maintain proper double-entry accounting records in accordance with Belgian accounting legislation. A statutory audit is required for companies exceeding two of the following thresholds: annual turnover above €9M, total assets above €4.5M, or more than 50 full-time employees. Smaller companies are generally exempt from mandatory audit.
Ultimate Beneficial Owner Register (UBO Register)
Belgium maintains a central UBO register in line with EU AML directives. All companies must register their ultimate beneficial owners — individuals who directly or indirectly own or control more than 25% of the company — within one month of registration and keep this information current. Annual confirmation of UBO data is required. Non-compliance carries significant penalties.
What Americans Should Know Before Registering in Belgium
The Professional Card requirement is a critical early step for American directors
Non-EU nationals who wish to work in Belgium as self-employed individuals — including as an active director of their own Belgian company — are generally required to obtain a Professional Card (Beroepskaart / Carte professionnelle) before commencing any professional activity. The card is issued by the regional economic authority (Flanders, Wallonia, or Brussels-Capital Region) and requires demonstration of professional qualifications, a viable business plan, and proof that the activity benefits Belgium. The application process can take several weeks. Plan for this step before committing to a Belgian registration timeline.
The mandatory financial plan is reviewed seriously — not a box-ticking exercise
Belgium's requirement for a credible financial plan instead of a minimum capital threshold was designed to protect creditors and ensure companies are genuinely viable at formation. Notaries take this document seriously and will decline to proceed with weak or poorly substantiated plans. The plan must cover at least two years of projected operations with realistic revenue assumptions, detailed cost structures, and a credible cash flow forecast. Engage a Belgian accountant to prepare this document — attempting to draft it without professional accounting support is a common and costly mistake for non-resident founders. Directories like LocalVouch can help you find vetted, English-speaking Belgian accountants and notaries.
Belgium's VAT threshold doesn't work the way most other EU countries' do
Non-established foreign businesses have no VAT registration threshold in Belgium at all — registration is required from the first taxable transaction. Your new BV/SRL, however, is a Belgian-established company, so it technically qualifies for a small-business exemption if annual turnover stays under €25,000 (rising to €30,000 pending approval as of 2026) — but almost no real trading business elects this in practice, since it forfeits input VAT recovery. The standard rate is 21%, with reduced rates of 12% and 6% for specific sectors. Your business counter handles VAT activation as part of the CBE registration process — confirm this is completed before any invoicing begins to avoid retroactive VAT penalties.
Belgium's language complexity affects documentation — know which region you are in
Belgium is officially trilingual — Dutch in Flanders, French in Wallonia, and German in the Eastern Cantons. Brussels is bilingual (Dutch/French). Official company documents, government communications, and regulatory filings must typically be in the official language of the region where the company is registered. For non-Belgian founders, this adds translation complexity. Most international companies register in Brussels (bilingual) or Antwerp (Dutch), where professional services in English are widely available at the law firm and accounting level — but official filings will still be in the regional language.
Belgium's 25% CIT likely qualifies for the GILTI high-tax exclusion — but confirm structure
At 25%, Belgium's corporate tax rate is well above the GILTI high-tax exclusion threshold of 18.9%. This means that undistributed profits of a Belgian company held by an American owner are likely to qualify for the GILTI high-tax exclusion, significantly reducing the US tax layer on retained Belgian earnings. The US-Belgium tax treaty also provides reduced withholding rates on dividends (5% or 0% depending on shareholding) and interest. However, these benefits must be actively structured and elected — engage a US cross-border tax advisor with US-Belgium treaty expertise before incorporating.
Registering a Belgian Company Is Right for You If…
- →You want a premium EU business address with genuine institutional weight — proximity to EU institutions, NATO, and major international business networks in Brussels and Antwerp.
- →You want to benefit from Belgium's notional interest deduction, participation exemption on dividends, and one of the EU's most extensive treaty networks — including the active US-Belgium tax treaty.
- →You are prepared for mandatory notarization and the financial plan requirement, and you see these as markers of a rigorous, creditor-protective legal system rather than unnecessary bureaucracy.
- →Your business model benefits from access to Belgium's trilingual professional workforce and its position as a logistics and distribution hub for Western European markets.
- →You have taken US cross-border tax advice confirming that Belgium's 25% CIT qualifies for GILTI high-tax exclusion in your structure — enabling efficient retention of Belgian profits without double taxation.
We work with trusted Belgian corporate attorneys, notaries, and accountants who specialise in company formation for non-EU nationals. From financial plan preparation and Professional Card applications to notarization, CBE registration, VAT activation, and ongoing compliance — we guide you through every step of Belgium's structured formation process.