Start your business in Belgium: Formation of a Belgian BV
A Belgian BV (formerly BVBA) is a private limited liability company in Belgium, similar to the Dutch BV. For entrepreneurs wishing to do business in Belgium, a Belgian limited company offers significant commercial advantages, including favorable tax arrangements and limited liability, minimizing your personal risks.
However, setting up a Belgian limited liability company can be a complex and time-consuming process, due to the many legal steps that require specific expertise. We handle the intricate paperwork and administrative tasks, allowing you to stay focused on your core business activities.
Why set up a Belgian BV?
- Limited Liability: As a legal entity, you are only liable for the capital contributed, which protects your private assets.
- Tax Benefits: Belgium offers attractive tax conditions for start-up companies such as a lower tax burden in the first 3 years.
- Access to the Belgian market: Belgian customers often feel more familiar and connected to local companies. Moreover, Belgium’s large and diverse sales market offers many growth opportunities for your business.
- Part of your existing corporate structure: Your current company can become a shareholder and director of the Belgian BV, making it easy to contribute capital and pay dividends without dividend tax.
Our Services
- Tax Guidance: Advice and support on the tax aspects of incorporation.
- Notary Services: Communication with notary in Belgium and payment of notary fees.
- Financial Plan: Preparation of a mandatory financial plan that describes funding sources, balance sheet at opening, and projected sales and profitability.
- Registration and Registration: Registration of the BV in the Belgian registers (Kruispuntbank) and application for tax numbers (Belgian VAT number).
- Belgian Bank Account: Application and opening of a Belgian bank account in the name of the BV in formation.
- Accounting and Administration: Introduction to a Belgian accountant who supports you in accounting.
- Address Belgian BV: Introduction to landlords of Belgian office space and commercial real estate.
Step by step: the creation of your Belgian BV
- Preparation: Together we discuss the optimal company structure, and documents necessary in your situation for the establishment of your Belgian BV.
- Notarial Deed: We arrange with the notary the draft of the notarial deed, the statutes and the registration in the Belgian Official Gazette.
- Compile financial plan: Together we discuss the expected financial data of your Belgian BV, and draw up a customized financial plan.
- Bank account: We guide you in opening a bank account in Belgium and depositing the share capital. In this bank account you deposit the desired capital and the bank then issues a bank certificate before the notary.
- Registration and tax numbers: We register your limited company with the Crossroads Bank and request the necessary tax numbers, such as the Belgian VAT number and registration with the social security office.
What else you need to know
- Start-up capital: There is no longer a minimum capital requirement for a limited liability company in Belgium.
However, we recommend an investment depending on your business needs, usually between 1,000-5,000 euros. - Liability: A strong financial plan is always required for the establishment of a Belgian limited liability company to avoid personal liability in case of bankruptcy within the first three years.
- Tax rates: Corporate tax in Belgium is 25%, with a reduced rate of 20.4% for profits up to €100,000 under certain conditions.
Various tax exemptions are available in the first 3 years, which can significantly reduce your tax burden. - Costs: We cover all notary and registration fees.
These are included in our all-in fee, so you do not have to pay anything else for incorporation.
Pricing is tailored to your specific situation so please contact us for a personalized quote. - Incorporation time: The incorporation time of your Belgian BV is approximately 10-15 business days and depends on the complexity of your business, the notary’s schedule and your own ability to travel to Belgium. Keep in mind that the notary will want to meet with you in person and that you will need to visit Belgium for part of the day.
Let us help you successfully set up your business in Belgium.
Do you have any questions or would you like to get started immediately with the establishment of your Belgian limited liability company? Feel free to contact us via our contact form. We are ready to guide you to business success in Belgium.
Frequently Asked Questions
VAT number application
We will help you with this process.
Tax burden Belgian BV
The standard corporate tax rate in Belgium is 25%.
For profits up to 100,000 euros, this rate can be reduced to 20.4%, subject to certain conditions such as a minimum salary for the director of 45,000 euros.
Dutch BV as shareholder
This makes it easy to contribute capital or loans, and dividends can be transferred to the Dutch BV without dividend tax according to European rules.
The Dutch BV is also the director of the Belgian BV, so a management fee can be charged to the Belgian subsidiary.
1 shareholder is sufficient and of course there can be more than one.
Creation time
Depending on the complexity of your company, the incorporation time is 10-15 business days.
The incorporation time depends on the notary’s schedule and your own ability to travel to Belgium to be present for the notary appointment and the opening of the bank account.
Keep in mind that the notary will want to meet with you in person and will need to visit you in Belgium for part of the day.
Financial plan
Yes, a financial plan is required by law when setting up a Belgian limited liability company.
This plan contains an overview of the expected income and expenses, the available financial resources and the necessary investments.
We will gladly assist you in drawing up this plan.
If you would like to receive a draft financial plan, please contact us by e-mail.
Registration Crossroads Bank
After incorporation, the limited liability company is registered in the register known as the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises in Belgium.
Bank account Belgian BV
Yes, a Belgian bank account is necessary to deposit the minimum capital and obtain a bank statement for the notary.
We will help you open this account.
Minimum wage driver
In Belgium, it is possible for the director/manager to carry out his activities unpaid (i.e. without remuneration). This is provided that the director does not actually receive compensation in any other form. If there are other sources of income outside the BV, then it is necessary to prove that the manager meets his private obligations from another income.
If this is not the case, then the director must still take a salary from the Belgian BV.
This can be avoided by having a Dutch BV be director of the Belgian BV.
Address Belgium
Yes, registration with the Kruispunt Bank requires a Belgian address, which can be proven by a lease agreement or by the fact that the BV is established at the residential address of one of the directors.
We can introduce you to landlords of Belgian office space and commercial property in order to obtain an address.
Aancillary costs
You will not incur any further costs related to the incorporation.
Minimum capital
No specific minimum capital is required, but it is important to deposit enough capital to cover the first years of business.
We recommend between 1,000-5,000 euros.
Administrative services
After incorporation, we will put you in touch with professionals who can help you with the administrative process, tax returns and other administrative work.
Sample certificate of incorporation
You can request a sample Belgian BV incorporation deed from us by email.
VAT rates Belgium
VAT rates in Belgium are as follows:
- 6% mainly for basic products and provided services of a social nature (e.g.: life necessities, passenger transport, agricultural services).
- 12% for certain goods and services provided that are important from an economic or social point of view (for example: coal, margarine, pay TV subscription).
- 21% for all other transactions involving goods or services.
Why choose us?
- Experience and Expertise: More than 10 years of experience in assisting Dutch entrepreneurs in entering the Belgian market.
- Complete Unburdening: We take care of the complete establishment of your company so you can stay focused on business.
- Personalized Approach: A personal and customized approach to meet your specific needs.
Set up your Belgian BV with Van Lier Fiscaal Advies.
Do you still have questions regarding the establishment of a Belgian limited liability company or would you like us to start working for you right away? If so, please fill out the contact form.
