Start a Business in Belgium

Engage a Belgian notary

Retain a notary to draft the articles of association as a notarial deed; required for BV/SRL and NV/SA formation

Incorporate the company at the notary

Sign the deed of incorporation; the notary handles publication in the Belgian Official Gazette and CBE registration

Open a blocked capital account

Open a blocked account at a Belgian bank and deposit the starting capital; the notary uses the certificate at incorporation

Activate VAT registration

Register with FPS Finance for VAT; quarterly or monthly filings apply depending on turnover

Evaluate Innovation Income Deduction

If holding qualifying IP, model the IID for an effective 3.75% rate on net IP income

Use R&D wage withholding exemption

80% partial exemption on wage withholding tax for researchers reduces the effective cost of R&D staff by around 20%

Apply for Tax Shelter for film or audiovisual investments

Investments in qualifying productions benefit from up to 421% deduction; widely used for funding by Belgian companies

Affiliate directors with a social insurance fund

Directors not on payroll must affiliate with a social insurance fund for self-employed within 90 days of starting activity

Register employees with ONSS / RSZ

Register each employee before their first day of work; employer contributes around 27% on top of gross wages

Engage a Belgian accountant

Annual financial statements must be filed with the National Bank of Belgium; appoint an IEC/IAB-licensed accountant before the first year-end

Apply for professional card or work permit

Non-EEA founders need a professional card issued by the regional government; non-EEA employees use single permits or Blue Cards