How to register a business in Belgium (2026)

In Belgium, you can start alone as a self-employed sole trader: register with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises through an approved business counter (€111.50 in 2026), then join a social insurance fund. To keep your private assets separate, an SRL needs no minimum capital, but it requires a notarial deed and a financial plan.

Checked on 2026-10-28. Rules change: confirm with the official office before paying.

Where to register

Guichets d'entreprises agréés – inscription à la Banque-Carrefour des Entreprises (BCE)

Which legal form to choose

Self-employed sole trader (natural person)

For whom	Starting alone simply, with no notary and no capital; possible as a main activity or alongside a job of at least half-time
Capital	None
Liability	Unlimited: you and your business are one, your private assets cover business debts
Tax	Progressive personal income tax (2026 income): 25%, 40%, 45% then 50%, after €11,180 tax-free, plus a municipal surcharge (often 7%)

SRL (private limited company)

For whom	One or more founders who want to separate private assets and grow the project
Capital	No legal minimum, but sufficient starting equity and a 2-year financial plan given to the notary
Liability	Limited to contributions; founders can be held liable if the starting contribution was insufficient (bankruptcy within 3 years)
Tax	Corporate tax 25%; 20% on the first €100,000 of profit for a small company under conditions (including a minimum director salary)

SA (public limited company)

For whom	Larger projects with investors; one or more people
Capital	€61,500 minimum; at least a quarter of each share paid up at creation, the rest within 5 years
Liability	Limited to contributions (except founders' liability if the contribution was insufficient)
Tax	Corporate tax 25%; 20% on the first €100,000 for a small company under conditions

The steps

Check whether your activity is regulated (access to the profession, licence, approval); outside the European Economic Area, a professional card may be required.
Choose your status: sole trader to start alone, SRL to separate your assets; as a main or side activity.
Open a separate bank account used only for your business.
Company: prepare a 2-year financial plan, pay your contribution into an account in the company's name, then sign the deed at a notary.
Register with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises through an approved business counter: you get a 10-digit enterprise number.
Activate VAT and choose your scheme: exemption if turnover stays under €25,000 a year, otherwise quarterly returns.
Join a social insurance fund before you start your activity (company: within 3 months of filing the deed).
Register with a health insurance fund (or tell it your new status) and take out the insurance your activity needs.
Company: declare your beneficial owners in the UBO register within one month of creation.

Documents

Valid identity card or passport
Professional card if you are not a European Economic Area national (unless exempt)
Business bank account number
Address of the registered office or place of business (proof required: check with the business counter)
Proof of access to the profession, licence or approval if your activity is regulated
Side activity: proof of your salaried job (employment contract)
Company: deed of incorporation and articles signed at the notary
Company: 2-year financial plan
Company: bank certificate for the cash contribution

How much it costs

Registration with the Crossroads Bank via a business counter: €111.50 (2026 rate). The counter may charge extra for VAT activation: check with the business counter. SRL: notarial deed of about €750 to €1,000, writing duty €95 excl. VAT, registration €50, publication in the Belgian Official Gazette €286.17 incl. VAT (electronic filing, 2026), plus an accountant.

How long it takes

Enterprise number: often the same day if your file is complete (check with the business counter). SRL: a few days with the notary's electronic filing. Social insurance fund: before you start (company: within 3 months). UBO register: within one month. Social contributions and VAT: every quarter.

Taxes

Sole trader: personal income tax on your profit, in brackets of 25%, 40%, 45% and 50% (2026 income), after €11,180 tax-free, plus the municipal surcharge (often 7%). Company: 25%, or 20% on the first €100,000 for a small company under conditions. VAT: 21% (reduced rates 12% and 6%), exemption possible under €25,000.

Social security

Main-activity self-employed (2026): 20.5% of net income up to €75,024.54, then 14.16% up to €110,562.42, paid quarterly to your fund, plus its management fees. Minimum based on €17,374.08: about €890 per quarter, reduced in the first year (primostarter). Side activity: nothing below €1,922.16 of yearly income.

Support and funding

Airbag (Le Forem, Wallonia) — Starting a self-employed activity in Wallonia: up to €12,500 paid in 4 instalments over 2 years; apply before joining the social insurance fund
Self-employed grant (Brussels) — Jobseekers registered with Actiris and living in Brussels: €4,000 paid over 6 months, with mandatory coaching
Business vouchers – chèques-entreprises (Wallonia) — Project holders and young Walloon SMEs: the Region pays part of the cost of training or advice for starting up
Primostarter (INASTI) — New main-activity self-employed: reduced minimum social contribution for the first 4 quarters

Find a professional (official directories)

Watch out

Starting contributions are provisional: they will be recalculated on your real income, so set money aside. The business counter is mandatory, but its extra services cost money: compare. Without a serious financial plan, SRL founders put their own assets at risk. Brussels and Wallonia no longer require management knowledge; some professions remain regulated.

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