Complete guide: starting a business in Belgium in 2026
All the steps to start your business in Belgium: choosing the legal form, BCE registration, VAT obligations and administrative procedures.
In brief
Starting a company in Belgium in 2026 follows six main steps: choosing the legal form (the SRL remains the optimal choice for most SMEs), drafting articles of association with a notary, preparing a financial plan covering at least two years, registering with the BCE to obtain a 10-digit company number, activating a VAT number, and affiliating with a social insurance fund within 90 days. The entire process can be completed in two to four weeks.
Why start a business in Belgium?
Belgium offers a favorable environment for entrepreneurship:
- Central geographic location in Europe
- Skilled and multilingual workforce
- Access to the European single market (450 million consumers)
- Supportive ecosystem: incubators, regional aid, business counters
Step 1: Choose your legal form
For a sole entrepreneur
| Criterion | Sole proprietorship | SRL (Ltd) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum capital | None | Sufficient starting equity |
| Liability | Unlimited | Limited to contribution |
| Accounting | Simplified | Full |
| Setup cost | ~€100 | ~€1,000 - 2,000 |
Recommendation
For most entrepreneurs, the SRL (Limited Liability Company) is the optimal choice since the 2019 reform of the Companies and Associations Code.
Step 2: Draft the articles of association
A notarial deed is mandatory for SRL, SA, and SC.
Step 3: The financial plan
Mandatory for SRL, SA, and SC, the financial plan must cover at least 2 years.
Step 4: Registration with the BCE/KBO
After incorporation, your company receives a 10-digit BCE company number (format: 0XXX.XXX.XXX).
Step 5: VAT activation
If your activity is subject to VAT, apply for VAT activation through your business counter.
Step 6: Social security affiliation
Every self-employed person must join a social insurance fund within 90 days.
Conclusion
Starting a business in Belgium is a structured but accessible process. To dig deeper into the legal form choice, see our SRL, SA, SC, ASBL comparison for 2026 and our guide to Belgian legal forms. Once registered with the BCE, our complete guide to the BCE/KBO explains how to make use of the available public data. If you plan to expand internationally, read our article on cross-border business from Belgium. Our API allows you to instantly verify the data of any company registered with the BCE.
Frequently asked questions
What are the steps to start a company in Belgium in 2026 ?
Starting a company in Belgium follows six main steps: choosing the legal form (SRL, SA, sole trader, etc.), drafting articles of association with a notary for legal entities, drawing up a financial plan covering at least two years, registering with the BCE through an accredited business counter to receive a 10-digit company number, activating a VAT number if the activity is subject to VAT, and affiliating with a social insurance fund within 90 days of starting activity.
How much does it cost to incorporate an SRL in Belgium ?
Incorporating an SRL costs roughly 1,000 to 2,500 euros in total, including notary fees for the deed of incorporation, publication costs in the annexes of the Belgian Official Gazette, business counter registration fees, and possibly accountant fees for the financial plan. A notarial deed is mandatory for SRL, SA, and SC in Belgium.
Is a BCE number required to invoice in Belgium ?
Yes. Every Belgian company must include its BCE number (also called the company number) on its invoices, along with its VAT number if it is VAT-registered. The BCE number is assigned upon registration with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (BCE) through an accredited business counter, and serves as the unique identifier with all Belgian government bodies.
What is the difference between the BCE number and the VAT number in Belgium ?
The BCE number (or company number) is the unique 10-digit identifier assigned by the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises to every entity registered in Belgium. The VAT number consists of the prefix BE followed by the BCE number without dots (for example, BE 0123.456.789 becomes BE0123456789). The BCE number always exists, even if the company is not VAT-registered; the VAT number is only active after an activation request to the FPS Finance.
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