Company formation in Belgium

Updated 5 October 2026

How to set up a private limited company in Belgium in 2026, what the law requires, and which taxes and filings follow.

The main business form in Belgium is the private limited company under the 2019 Code of Companies and Associations. There is no longer a minimum share capital, but founders must contribute sufficient initial equity for their plan and attach a financial plan. If the company goes bankrupt within three years because of clearly insufficient equity, founders can be personally liable. The company is formed only before a notary, then entered in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises and published in the Official Gazette.

A Belgian company works well for EU business, European clients and managing assets from Brussels or Antwerp. But taxes, contributions and reporting are significant, so the structure and budget are calculated before the notary.

How much does it cost to register a company in Belgium: mandatory payments

Dollar amounts use the European Central Bank rate of 5 October 2026, $1.12 per euro.

Publication and registration fees were checked against several independent sources; the notary's fee depends on the articles.

Company and manager requirements

• Founder: one or more, individuals or companies, of any nationality.
• Initial equity: sufficient for the first years under the financial plan. Cash contributions go into a special account at a Belgian bank, and the bank's certificate is given to the notary.
• Manager: one or more. A non-EU foreigner who will personally run the business in Belgium as self-employed needs a professional card.
• Registered office in Belgium; its region decides the language of documents: French, Dutch or German.
• Beneficial owner register: anyone holding more than 25% or controlling the company.

How registration works

1. Name check. We check the name is free and not confusable with others' marks.
2. Financial plan and articles. We prepare a two-year plan and articles for your structure.
3. Capital account. We open a special account, pay in the capital and obtain the bank's certificate.
4. Notary. Signing the deed in person or by proxy; the notary files with the enterprise court for publication.
5. Enterprise number. The company is entered in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises and registered for VAT if needed.
6. Social security. The company and manager register with a social insurance fund.

Taxes and reporting

• Corporate income tax: 25%. Small companies pay 20% on the first €100,000 of profit, about $112,100, if they meet the conditions, including paying the manager the set minimum remuneration.
• VAT: 21%, lower for certain goods and services.
• Annual accounts are filed with the National Bank of Belgium within seven months of the financial year end.
• Annual company contribution to the social insurance fund, plus the manager's self-employed contributions.
• Beneficial owner register: annual confirmation.

Why problems arise

• No professional card for a foreign manager: activity in Belgium becomes unlawful.
• A weak financial plan: in a bankruptcy within three years founders are personally liable.
• The bank will not open the capital account: without a clear business and origin of money, formation cannot start.
• Beneficial owner details not filed: fines and bank questions.
• The company is actually run from another country: a risk of dual tax residency.

What we do

Murblz specialists choose the company form, prepare the financial plan and articles with an accountant and notary, open the capital account, carry out formation before the notary, obtain the enterprise number and VAT registration, file beneficial owner details and help with the professional card. Company formation is €37,400, about $41,900; legal maintenance €12,100 a year, about $13,600.

Fees

See also

Business account · Personal account · Investment property · Country taxes · All country programs

FAQ