We already have an established network of contacts in Belgium for creating and directing temporary companies, as well as for external CFO support.
These timelines assume a complete file (ID documents, supporting evidence, governance decisions made): an incomplete file is the single most common cause of delay, ahead of the administrative timelines themselves. Once the file is genuinely complete, expect generally 2 to 4 weeks for the legal process itself.
Minimum share capital: No legal minimum capital, but sufficient starting capital for the activity is required.
Gathering ID documents, mandate, governance decisions and choice of bank — the essential groundwork for the legal timelines below to actually start running.
Belgian notaries are often busy, so booking several weeks ahead is advisable.
An account in the name of the company being formed must be opened and the starting capital deposited before the notarial appointment; some Belgian banks decline non-residents.
The deed, mandatory for every SRL, is signed before a notary, who then publishes it and registers the company with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises.
Once registration is confirmed, the account becomes fully operational and the VAT number is activated.
On top of the legal timelines above, allow one week of banking margin: KYC checks, extra documentation or a branch appointment can extend account opening, particularly for a non-resident director.
| Taux | ||
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 21% | |
| Reduced rates | 12% | hotels, campsites, plant-protection products |
| Reduced rates | 6% | essential goods, takeaway food, culture, sport |
25% (ISOC), reduced 20% rate on the first €100,000 of profit for SMEs.
No for an EU/EEA national, who benefits from freedom of establishment. A non-EU national needs a professional card and, to relocate, a type D visa.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation, the bank and the relevant authority. We confirm the precise timeline with you during the initial assessment of your project.
Signing can sometimes be arranged via power of attorney, but opening the Belgian bank account beforehand is the main friction point for a non-resident shareholder — some banks require a branch visit.
2 to 4 weeks: the account must be opened before the notarial appointment to deposit the starting capital; some Belgian banks decline non-residents, which can extend the search for a suitable bank.
Minimum share capital: No legal minimum capital, but sufficient starting capital for the activity is required.
Every director or shareholder must be declared as an Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) in the national register — a requirement stemming from EU anti-money-laundering directives (or equivalent standards outside the EU). Bank scrutiny is heightened in two situations common among international clients: when a shareholder or director is a US citizen or US tax resident (FATCA then imposes extra reporting obligations on the bank, which can slow down or complicate account opening); and when a shareholder is based in an African country rated higher-risk by the FATF (extra proof of the origin of funds, longer KYC validation times). We anticipate this with you from the initial assessment if your structure involves such profiles.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation. We confirm the applicable detail with you during the initial assessment of your project.
Commercial lease, registering the trading address with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (BCE), and an environmental/planning permit depending on the municipality.
A certified "white cash register" system is mandatory for any Horeca establishment with more than €25,000 in annual food-service turnover.
Indicative, non-exhaustive list of examples of solutions present on the local market — availability and terms change quickly; we help you select the best-suited offer during the assessment of your project.
To exhibit or sell equipment at a trade fair, the ATA carnet allows temporary import of goods — professional equipment, samples, stand fittings — without advancing customs duties or import VAT, provided they are re-exported within the allotted period (generally 12 months, sometimes 6 months for fair equipment). The carnet is issued by the chamber of commerce in the country of departure and recognised across the international network of ATA Convention countries, a network that covers Belgium.
To import goods from a non-EU country (China, the US, etc.), an EORI number is essential for any customs procedure. Customs duties depend on the tariff code (combined nomenclature) and the product's origin; import VAT is then due at the rate applicable in the destination country, generally recoverable if the business is VAT-registered. Depending on trade agreements in force, some products benefit from reduced or zero duties on presentation of a certificate of origin. The competent authority for these procedures is Belgian Customs and Excise.
A sale concluded in person at a stand during a trade fair that is not your usual place of business is generally classed as an "off-premises" contract under the EU Consumer Rights Directive (2011/83/EU): the customer then has a 14-day right of withdrawal, subject to exceptions (personalised, perishable or sealed goods). This principle, harmonised across the EU/EEA, applies in Belgium — we check the local details with you based on your sales activity.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation. We confirm the applicable detail with you during the initial assessment of your project.
Trade fair, exhibition, or one-off project in Belgium: we create and direct the dedicated legal entity for the length of the project.
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