Company registration in Belgium is performed with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE), the Belgian registry that contains identification data for companies and their business units. In this article, our lawyers in Belgium present the most important functions of the CBE. For detailed information and assistance with business registration, you can rely on our personalised services.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Trade Register’s full/official name | The Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (the Belgian Business Register) |
| Services offered by our team for registrations with this authority | Our Belgian lawyers can assist with submissions, applications, changes and other operations performed with the CBE. |
| Main role of the CBE | Provide access to public data on registered companies, offer access to registration of companies and services for registered entity administration. |
| Organizational chart | The CBE is managed by the Federal Public Service (FPS). |
| Laws observed by and implemented by the Business Register | The Code on Companies and other relevant laws and regulations. |
| Legal entities registered with the CBE | Companies, individual businesses, non-profit organizations, branches, etc. |
| Public services offered by the Belgian CBE | Public data on companies, data correction, access to company extracts, others. |
| Compliance insurance | As per the local regulations for registration. |
| Modifications | Company name changes, capital increases or decreases, ownership structure changes are possible. |
| Modification notification | Must be notified and supported by adequate documentation. |
| Renewals | As per company type and ongoing requirements. |
| Company names | Reservations are made as part of the company incorporation procedures with the CBE. |
| Company name changes | Possible, subject to availability. |
| Company deregistration | Handled by the CBE, as per the registration deletion procedure. |
| Belgian Crossroads Bank for Enterprises fees – examples | 111.50 euros for business registration (company or sole trader, among others), with fees changing on an annual basis. Other fees apply. |
Table of Contents
Company registration in Belgium – main steps
The CBE centralizes a company’s basic identification data and business units and communicates with various relevant authorities. It includes data from the national register of legal entities, the trade register, and VAT information for the companies.
After they register with the CBE, companies receive a unique identification number. This is an essential step for business registration in Belgium.
Entrepreneurs who want to set up a company in Belgium must first determine the type of company that is suitable for their needs. A new legal entity in Belgium can be:
- a private limited liability company;
- a public limited liability company;
- cooperative company;
- general and limited partnerships;
- sole proprietorship.
Our attorneys in Belgium can help you decide what type of structure is most suitable for your business.
The steps required to register a company in Belgium include the following:
- Obtaining the bank certificate, which indicates that the starting capital conditions have been met;
- Drafting the Articles of Association and the Deed of Incorporation;
- Have the Deed filed by a notary with the competent business court. Our lawyers in Belgium can give you more details about this particular requirement;
- Register the deed of incorporation with the Federal Public Service office, the FPS, of which the CBE platform is an integrated part;
- Register the beneficial owners of the company within the corresponding registry as one of the final steps for company creation.
Apart from the Trade Register requirements for registration, companies will also need to observe other registration requirements, such as for the EORI number in Belgium, if applicable.
We remind investors that company registration in Belgium is the first and most important step for starting a business, however, several post-registration steps will be required, among which we can mention obtaining special permits and licenses for operating
The role of the Belgian Crossroads Bank for Enterprises
The primary function of the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises is to manage the growing database of Belgian companies. While it serves as the point of contact and registration for entrepreneurs who register new companies in the country, it also offers public access to information on registered entities.
As a point of contact for business matters, the CBE offers the following:
- Business registration in Belgium, according to the business form and the conditions that apply to each one;
- Changing the particulars of a company, through updating information such as its registered address;
- Collecting certain fees and payments that are due by companies;
- Making sure that registered companies have a platform where they can make the required submissions and communications.
By accessing the CBE portal, individuals can obtain information on:
- Companies and their registration status;
- The activities in which the company engages;
- Certain financial details;
- The beneficial owners of a company;
- The number of establishments;
- Contact information.
Some of the costs associated with business registration in Belgium via the CBE are listed below by the experts at our law firm in Belgium:
- Sole proprietorship registration: EUR 105.50;
- Company registration: EUR 105.50 plus an additional fee of EUR 105.50 for secondary establishment units.
Please keep in mind that the costs above are subject to change and do not include any legal fees or fees required to prepare the documents for registration.
Our Belgian law firm can provide more information about company incorporation in Belgium and other details regarding company registration. Please contact us for more personalized information. Our team can also help you set up a business in Belgium.