Company registrations in Belgium
                     
Company 
registrations 
in Belgium
- By Himani Srivastava

Introduction to Registering a company in Belgium
Belgium is known as a country at the heart of the European Union 
with its central geographic location, highly developed transport 
network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. 
Registering a company in Belgium help foreign investors through 
a series of R&D incentives, innovation and excellent connectivity 
to surrounding markets. The process for registering a company in 
Belgium is relatively straightforward, although Company Directors 
are required to be educated to at least degree or diploma in their 
relevent field.

What are the most common types of company in Belgium?
● company limited by shares (S.A./N.V.)
● private limited liability company (S.P.R.L./B.V.B.A.)
● Foreign companies seeking to incorporate in Belgium may 
operate either through a subsidiary
● (incorporated under Belgian law) or as a branch 
(incorporated under the law of the country where the parent 
is based).

How much share capital is required to establish 
a company limited by shares (S.A./N.V.)?
For a subsidiary, minimum share capital is €61,500, 
which must be fully subscribed and paid up. For a 
branch, no minimum capital is required.
What are the formalities regarding incorporation as a 
S.A./N.V.?
● incorporation by deed through a notary
● articles of association to be published in Belgian Official 
Gazette
● language of documents to be French or Dutch according to 
city
● two-year preliminary financial plan required
● branch must file parent company’s accounts with National 
Bank of Belgium
What other requirements are there for a S.A./N.V.?
● at least two shareholders, and at least three directors
● statutory audit annually
● no residency or nationality requirements
● a local serviced office is advisable

How much share capital is needed for a 
private limited liability company 
S.P.R.L./B.V.B.A.?
The minimum share capital for a S.P.R.L./B.V.B.A. 
is €18,600, of which at least €6,200 must be paid 
up.
What are the other features of a S.P.R.L./B.V.B.A.?
● the company has to have at least one shareholder
● this form of company admits only one director
● shareholders are responsible only for the assets they 
brought into the business

What other types of company are there?
The other main business entity is the European 
Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG) – a cross-border 
partnership comprising partners from European 
countries – no capital required, no requirements for 
separate financial accounts, partners taxed 
individually.
How easy is it to recruit staff?
Belgium has an advanced recruitment sector, including clerical 
and secretarial staff. Labour costs are high and generous 
welfare benefits are matched by high national insurance 
contributions for both employers and employees. In Dutch-
speaking Flanders, the most prosperous region of Belgium, there 
is strong demand for skilled workers, particularly in IT and other 
technical fields. In contrast, there is an unemployment problem 
in French-speaking Wallonia, notably for unskilled workers.
What is the regulatory environment like?
Belgium guarantees the freedom to set up a company and transfer capital to all foreign 
companies and to any foreign investor who wishes to settle in Belgium in order to start 
a commercial or industrial operation.
● no prior authorization needed except for certain types of business such as 
banking, insurance and transport
● foreign capital may be brought into the country without restriction
● no preliminary authorization required for takeovers or joint ventures
● variety of tax breaks, including one which allows a multinational company to 
provide financial and managerial services virtually tax-free


Are there financial incentives available – and what about banking facilities?
Full banking services are available which offer a complete range of commercial banking 
facilities, including those related to acquisitions and the raising of capital. We make it 
easy for you to open a bank account in Belgium.
Financial incentives are available but vary widely according to location.
● Flanders offers financial aid to SMEs starting up in established industrial zones 
or in industrial development zones; funding is also available to larger companies; 
extra incentives are in place for biotech companies and for businesses involving 
environmental controls
● Wallonia offers help with the purchase of land, buildings, 
equipment and project-related investment costs; aid is also 
available for investment in areas such as product 
development, licensing and market research
● Brussels may provide investment grants, initial exemption 
from withholding taxes in certain cases, interest free loans 
for industrial research, grants for employment of some 
categories of job-seekers and aid for technical and 
language training
Thank You