- →
-
Contact Form
-
Speed
|
Fast banking
|
Many Addresses
|
Support
|
Belgium, one of the states that founded today’s European Union, is not only a home to key EU institutions, but also a country with strong international economic ties and robust service sector as well as traditional industries.
As a member of the Benelux politico-economic, Brussels maintains strong links with its neighbours: the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Benefiting from its geographic location and good environment for business, Belgians have been witnessing a steady growth of their economy for more than 50 years.
Belgian company law allows for several forms of business entities, the most important being the public limited liability company (SA/NV), the private limited liability company (SPRL/BVBA), and the cooperative limited liability company (SCRL/CVBA). Share transfer restrictions may apply.
Minimum capital in case of limited liability companies is 61,500 EUR, paid up in full (above the minimum, each share must be paid up to 25%), and should allow the company to sustain existence for the period of two years. In-kind contributions in the form of provision of services or work are not permitted. Shareholders are required to submit a business plan when registering an entity. The minimum number of shareholders in SA/NV is two.
The general corporate tax rate is 33%. Small companies, however, enjoy lower rates dependent on their end-year results (as reported in financial statements). The basis for taxation is worldwide income. The default rate for withholding tax on dividends is 30%. There are tax incentives available with regard to R&D activities.
Belgium has a modern economy, driven mostly by the service sector. It is known for great transport infrastructure and profits from its central location. Labour productivity is among the highest in the OECD. According to the National Bank of Belgium, in the upcoming years the country’s GDP is to expand at the rate of 1.2%, while growth in renumeration is expected to raise household consumption.
The Kingdom of Belgium is a constitutional monarchy with the King of the Belgians as the head of state and the Prime Minister as the head of the government. It has three administrative regions: Brussels, Wallonia and Flanders. The country is divided linguistically, with approximately 60% of the population being francophone and 40% Dutch-speaking. This division is reflected in the Council of Ministers, where the number of French- and Dutch-speaking ministers is equal.
The financial and banking heart of the country beats in Brussels. The majority of banks are foreign-owned. Some of them specialise in providing services to expats. The biggest banks in Belgium are BNP Paribas, ING, Citibank, Commerzbank and KBC. They offer services in Dutch, French and English.
All companies are equal before the law.
A good formation agent is what makes a difference.
Belgium is a member of the European Union and a strategic destination for company formation and ready-made shelf company acquisition. With a population of 11.5 million and ranking as EU headquarters (Brussels), Belgium offers a compelling business environment for both local and international entrepreneurs.
Key advantages of establishing a business in Belgium include: Heart of Europe, EU/NATO headquarters in Brussels, multilingual workforce, central logistics hub, strong pharma/tech sectors.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Capital | Brussels |
| Currency | EUR (Euro) |
| Corporate Tax Rate | 25% (20% for SMEs on first €100,000) |
| VAT Rate | 21% |
| Company Types | BV/SRL (LLC), NV/SA (JSC), CV/SC (Cooperative), VOF/SNC (General Partnership) |
| Minimum Capital | No minimum for BV/SRL (adequate start-up capital required) |
| Formation Time | 3-5 business days |
| Major Banks | KBC, BNP Paribas Fortis, ING Belgium, Belfius, Argenta |
ShelfCompanies24 provides comprehensive company formation and corporate services in Belgium. Whether you need a ready-made shelf company for immediate business operations, a newly formed entity tailored to your specific requirements, or assistance with opening corporate bank accounts — our team of experienced specialists is here to help.
Belgium stands out among business jurisdictions for several important reasons. The corporate tax rate of 25% (20% for SMEs on first €100,000) is competitive within the region, and the available company types (BV/SRL (LLC), NV/SA (JSC), CV/SC (Cooperative), VOF/SNC (General Partnership)) provide flexibility for various business structures and investment strategies.
Company formation in Belgium typically takes 3-5 business days, with minimum capital requirements of No minimum for BV/SRL (adequate start-up capital required). The country’s banking sector includes major institutions such as KBC, BNP Paribas Fortis, ING Belgium, Belfius, Argenta, ensuring reliable access to financial services for your business operations.
Explore company formation and shelf company services in related jurisdictions:
In Belgium you can form the following company types: BV/SRL (LLC), NV/SA (JSC), CV/SC (Cooperative), VOF/SNC (General Partnership). The most popular structure for foreign investors is the limited liability company equivalent.
The corporate tax rate in Belgium is 25% (20% for SMEs on first €100,000). The standard VAT rate is 21%.
Company formation in Belgium typically takes 3-5 business days, including registration with all relevant authorities.
The minimum share capital required in Belgium is No minimum for BV/SRL (adequate start-up capital required).
Looking for an off-the-shelf company in Belgium? Our ready-made shelf companies — also known as off-the-shelf companies — are pre-registered entities available for immediate transfer. An off the shelf company provides instant credibility, a clean corporate history, and the ability to start trading immediately without waiting for the incorporation process to complete. ShelfCompanies24 offers off-the-shelf companies in Belgium with optional corporate bank accounts, registered addresses, and full post-acquisition compliance support.