How to Start an LLC in Belgium: Step-by-Step Guide

Can You Register an LLC in Belgium?

Yes, you absolutely can, and the good news is that Belgium keeps the door wide open for both local and foreign entrepreneurs looking to establish a legitimate business presence in Europe.

• No residency requirement: Foreign nationals can register an LLC in Belgium without living there, making it easily accessible for international founders.
• No nationality restrictions: Entrepreneurs from any country, inside or outside the EU, are legally permitted to form and own a Belgian LLC.
• Minimum one founder needed: A Belgian LLC, known locally as a BV or SRL, can be formed by a single person, which simplifies things considerably for solo founders.
• Registered office required: Your company must have a physical registered address in Belgium, but using a professional registered address service is perfectly legal and widely practiced.
• Special regional incentives: The Flanders and Brussels regions actively support foreign business formation through dedicated investment agencies that offer guidance and occasional fast-track support.

Advantages of Forming an LLC in Belgium

Belgium’s appeal goes well beyond its geography, and once you dig into the actual benefits, it becomes clear why so many international entrepreneurs choose it as their EU base of operations.

• Limited liability protection: Your personal assets stay protected from business debts, which is the foundational reason most founders choose the LLC structure in the first place.
• Flat corporate tax rate: Belgium’s standard corporate tax sits at 25%, with a reduced rate of 20% available for small companies on their first €100,000 of profit.
• Innovation income deduction: Belgium offers an 85% tax deduction on income derived from patents and qualifying intellectual property, making it a magnet for tech and IP-driven businesses.
• Access to the EU single market: A Belgian LLC gives you seamless trading rights across all 27 EU member states, eliminating many of the trade barriers non-EU companies face.
• Extensive double tax treaty network: Belgium has tax treaties with over 95 countries, which significantly reduces the risk of being taxed twice on cross-border income.
• Government grants for startups: Through agencies like Flanders Investment & Trade and hub.brussels, qualifying businesses can access grants, subsidies, and co-funding programs that aren’t widely advertised internationally.
• Strong banking infrastructure: Belgium hosts major European banking institutions, making it relatively straightforward to open a business bank account compared to several other EU jurisdictions.

Steps to Register an LLC in Belgium

The registration process is structured and logical, but knowing the sequence in advance saves you from unnecessary back-and-forth with authorities and keeps the timeline tight.

Step 1 — Choose your company structure: The BV (Besloten Vennootschap) or SRL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée) is Belgium’s equivalent of an LLC and the most popular choice for small to mid-sized businesses.

Step 2 — Prepare a financial plan: Belgian law requires founders to draft a detailed financial plan covering at least two years of projected activity, which is submitted to the notary at formation.

Step 3 — Open a blocked bank account: Deposit your initial capital for a BV into a blocked business bank account and obtain the bank certificate confirming the deposit. 

The initial share capital is deposited into this account, even though Belgium no longer imposes a strict minimum capital requirement for SRL/BV companies. The deposited amount should match the capital described in the company’s financial plan and Articles of Association.

Step 4 — Draft the articles of association: Work with a Belgian notary to prepare your company’s articles of association, which formally outline the structure, purpose, and governance rules of your LLC.

Step 5 — Sign before a notary: Appear before a certified Belgian notary, in person or via power of attorney if abroad, to officially execute the deed of incorporation.

Step 6 — Register with the Crossroads Bank: Your notary files the incorporation deed with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE), which assigns your company its official enterprise number.

Step 7 — Register for VAT: If your annual turnover will exceed €25,000, register for VAT with the Belgian tax authorities, either online via MyMinfin or through a local tax representative.

Step 8 — Register with a social security fund: Every company director must affiliate with an approved social insurance fund to remain compliant with Belgian regulations.

Step 9 — Open your operational bank account: Once the blocked capital is released post-incorporation, transfer funds to your regular business account and begin operations officially.

Documents Required for LLC Registration in Belgium

Having your documentation sorted before you approach a notary cuts processing time significantly and avoids the frustrating delays that catch many first-time founders off guard.

• Valid passport or national ID: All founders and directors must provide a government-issued photo ID, with passports being the standard accepted document for non-Belgian nationals.
• Proof of registered office address: A lease agreement, property deed, or confirmation letter from a registered address provider in Belgium confirming your company’s official location.
• Financial plan document: A professionally prepared two-year financial projection, typically drafted with an accountant, outlining your projected income, expenses, and capital requirements in detail.
• Bank capital certificate: Official confirmation from your Belgian bank showing the minimum required capital has been deposited into the blocked account under your company’s name.
• Articles of association draft: A prepared draft of your company statutes, covering share structure, governance, and operational rules, ready for review and execution by the notary.
• Power of attorney (if applicable): If you cannot appear in person before the notary, a notarized and apostilled power of attorney document authorizing a representative to act on your behalf is required.
• UBO register declaration: Belgian law requires disclosure of all Ultimate Beneficial Owners holding more than 25% of the company, submitted to the official UBO register post-incorporation.

Pro tip: For non-EU founders, having your personal documents apostilled in your home country before traveling or sending them to Belgium prevents common authentication delays at the notary stage.

Tax Obligations After LLC Registration in Belgium

Getting your tax setup right from the beginning saves you from expensive corrections later, and Belgium’s system, while comprehensive, is entirely manageable once you understand what applies to your business specifically.

• Corporate income tax (CIT): The standard rate is 25%, but SMEs qualifying for the reduced rate pay just 20% on their first €100,000 of taxable profit annually.
• VAT registration threshold: Businesses with turnover exceeding €25,000 annually must register for VAT, with the standard rate set at 21% across most goods and services.
• Reduced VAT rates available: Certain sectors, including food, healthcare, and renovation services, benefit from reduced VAT rates of 6% or 12%, which is worth confirming early with your accountant.
• Withholding tax on dividends: Belgium applies a 30% withholding tax on dividends paid to shareholders, though this can be reduced significantly under applicable double tax treaties.
• Notional interest deduction (NID): This lesser-known incentive allows Belgian companies to deduct a fictitious interest amount on equity from taxable income, effectively lowering the overall tax burden.
• Innovation income deduction: Income derived from patents and qualifying IP can benefit from an 85% deduction, leaving only 15% subject to corporate tax, which is exceptional by European standards.
• Social security contributions: Company directors must contribute to a social insurance fund, with self-employed contribution rates being 20.5% of professional income, depending on earnings.
• Annual accounts filing requirement: All Belgian LLCs must file annual accounts with the National Bank of Belgium, and missing this deadline triggers automatic fines that accumulate quickly.

Comparison worth noting: Belgium’s 20% reduced SME rate compares favorably against the Netherlands (19% intro rate), France (25% flat), and Germany (roughly 30% combined), making it genuinely competitive for early-stage companies.

Hidden cost alert: Notary fees for incorporation typically range between €1,000 and €2,000, depending on complexity, and accountancy fees for annual filings average €1,500 to €2,500 per year for small LLCs. Factor these in from day one.

Set Up Your LLC in Belgium Today with Commenda

Commenda was built specifically for founders who want to establish a legally sound business in Europe without spending months navigating bureaucracy alone or paying excessive fees to traditional law firms.

• End-to-end LLC formation: Commenda handles every step of your Belgian LLC registration, from document preparation to notary coordination, so nothing slips through the cracks.
• Expert legal and compliance support: A dedicated team of formation specialists guides you through Belgian-specific requirements, flagging potential issues before they become actual problems.
• Multilingual assistance available: Commenda’s team operates across English, French, Dutch, and other major languages, removing communication barriers that typically slow down foreign founders considerably.
• VAT and tax registration included: Beyond incorporation, Commenda manages your VAT registration and initial tax setup, ensuring you’re fully compliant from the moment your company goes live.
• Registered office address service: No Belgian address yet? Commenda provides a professional registered office address, a legal requirement for all Belgian LLCs, bundled directly into the formation package.
• UBO register and bank account guidance: Commenda walks you through the UBO declaration process and connects you with banking partners familiar with supporting newly formed foreign-owned Belgian companies.
• Transparent flat-fee pricing: No surprise invoices or hourly billing. Commenda operates on clear, upfront pricing so you know exactly what the entire process will cost before committing.
• Ongoing compliance management: Post-formation, Commenda offers annual accounts filing support, director compliance tracking, and renewal reminders so your LLC stays in good standing year after year.

Founders from 70+ countries have used Commenda to establish their European business presence. Come, be a part of our growing community. 

Get in touch today for a consultation with our formation specialist who knows the Belgian market inside out.