Jak założyć firmę w Belgii w 2026 roku: Przewodnik krok po kroku dla zagranicznych przedsiębiorców

Obcokrajowiec może otworzyć firmę w Belgii nawet bez lokalnego partnera, jeśli wcześniej zrozumie pozwolenia, formę firmy i rejestrację. Dowiedz się, kto potrzebuje karty zawodowej, jak działalność gospodarcza różni się od SRL\ /BV, ile kosztuje rozpoczęcie działalności i jakich błędów unikać na początku

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Belgium is consistently included in the list of the most convenient countries in Europe for starting your own business - it combines a favorable geographical location in the heart of the EU, developed logistics and fairly transparent company registration procedures. Almost anyone can open a business in Belgium, but the specific algorithm of actions depends on the citizenship of the entrepreneur, the region where he plans to work - in Brussels, Flanders or Wallonia - as well as on whether the chosen activity is a regulated profession.

In 2026, the country continues to improve the regulatory environment for small and medium-sized businesses, so some of the rules, in particular regarding VAT and professional cards for foreigners, have been updated compared to previous years. In this material, we will analyze who needs a permit for self-employment in Belgium, which organizational and legal form to choose, how much it costs to start and what mistakes novice entrepreneurs most often make.

Read also in which countries it is easiest for a foreigner to open a business in 2026.

Doing business abroad rarely goes without legal issues – from choosing the legal form to labor disputes and tax audits.

A personal business lawyer accompanies an entrepreneur at every stage: advises on company registration, document management, reporting and minimizing tax risks, and also helps with the relocation of a business abroad. This is a solution for those who want to focus on developing their business, not on studying the legislation of another country.

Find a personal lawyer for your business today and get professional support every step of the way.

Who can open a business in Belgium?

The general rule of the European Union allows citizens of EU member states, as well as Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, to conduct self-employed activities in Belgium without additional permits – a simple company registration is enough.

For citizens of non-EU countries, the situation is more complicated. The competent Belgian authorities require a professional card, which confirms the right to conduct independent entrepreneurial activity in the country. Issuing the card falls under regional, not federal, competence, so the conditions, list of documents and even the name of the procedure may differ depending on whether a person registers a business in Brussels, Flanders or Wallonia.

In Flanders, a similar procedure for innovative startups has been renamed the Innovation & Startup Permit since 2026 and provides for accelerated consideration of applications for projects that cooperate with local incubators or scientific institutions.

At the same time, certain categories of foreigners are exempt from the obligation to obtain a professional card. Such exceptions may include holders of certain types of long-term residence permits, beneficiaries of temporary protection regimes, as well as persons with certain types of family reunification or long-term EU resident status. The list of exceptions and exact conditions should be checked on the official portal of your region, as it is updated periodically.

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How much does a professional card cost and how long is it valid for?

Obtaining a card involves an administrative fee - approximately 140 euros for submitting an application plus about 90 euros for each year of validity of the document, which is paid after a positive decision is made. The application process can take up to four months, so it is worth submitting documents in advance, with a margin of time before the planned start of activity.

The card itself is usually issued for a period of one to five years and is subject to extension if the business remains active and meets tax and regulatory requirements. After five years of legal self-employment, it becomes possible to apply for permanent residence.

Read the link to find out which countries offer the most favorable conditions for business registration, the lowest corporate tax rates and real programs for investors.

Which business form to choose: sole proprietorship or SRL/BV

After clarifying the issue of a business license, another fundamental decision arises - the legal form of the future enterprise. In Belgium, small and medium-sized businesses most often start in one of two forms.

Sole proprietorship

Individual entrepreneurship is suitable for freelancers, consultants, teachers, craftsmen and small service companies. This is the fastest and cheapest way to start work: you do not need to create a separate legal entity or contact a notary to certify the constituent documents.

However, the entrepreneur and his business are not legally separated from each other - in the case of debt obligations, the person is liable with his personal property.

SRL/BV

An alternative is a limited liability company SRL (in French) or BV (in Dutch), the Belgian analogue of a classic LLC. This form is usually chosen by companies with several founders, increased financial risks, plans to attract investments or hire staff.

There is no longer a formal minimum authorized capital for an SRL/BV, but the founders are still required to contribute start-up assets sufficient for the real needs of the business and prepare a financial plan with a forecast for the first two years of the company's operation - this document is submitted to the notary when signing the articles of association. The lack of a formal capital requirement is often misleading: it will still not be possible to open a company without any funds in the account, as the notary will continue to verify the financial capacity of the founders.

Golden visas remain one of the fastest ways to obtain a residence permit in Europe in 2026. Countries that still offer investment programs in this article.

Do I need to confirm professional qualifications to do business in Belgium?

For most types of activities, there is no separate procedure for recognizing qualifications. However, for regulated professions – certain medical, construction, financial, legal and technical specialties – there are special requirements: before starting work, you need to confirm your diploma, professional experience or pass an additional exam.

The competent authority and the exact list of documents depend on the specific profession, so before registering, it is worth checking your activities with the official list of regulated professions of the relevant region.

The procedure for obtaining a work permit in Belgium is here.

Step-by-step path to registering a business in Belgium

The specific route differs depending on the chosen form of activity, but the general logic of the process is usually the same for most entrepreneurs – from checking the right to operate and choosing a business form to preparing a financial plan, opening a professional bank account and contacting a notary (for SRL/BV).

1. Check whether a professional card is required, and apply in advance if necessary;

2. Decide on the form of business – sole proprietorship or SRL/BV;

3. Prepare a business plan, and for SRL/BV – a mandatory financial plan;

4. Open a separate professional bank account (for SRL – before signing the articles of association, since it is to it that the initial assets are deposited);

5. Contact a notary to certify the articles of association (relevant only for SRL/BV);

6. Register with Crossroads Bank for Enterprises – BCE in French or KBO in Dutch – through an accredited business one-stop shop and obtain a company number;

7. Activate your VAT number if necessary;

8. Join the social security fund for self-employed persons;

9. Check whether additional licenses, permits or professional insurance are required for the chosen type of activity.

Registration with Crossroads Bank for Enterprises is a central and mandatory step for any entrepreneur, regardless of the form of business: it is this number that identifies the company with the tax, social and statistical authorities of the country. For regulated professions, the accredited business window also checks the right to carry out the relevant activity at this stage.

What has changed in the field of VAT in Belgium in 2026?

One of the notable news of 2026 is the extension of the VAT exemption regime for small businesses. Currently, the annual turnover threshold, up to which an entrepreneur may not register as a VAT payer and not submit periodic reports, is 25,000 euros.

In the spring of 2026, the Belgian government approved an increase in this threshold to 30,000 euros as part of an administrative simplification package, but the change still needs final parliamentary approval and official publication before it comes into force. Entrepreneurs whose turnover is approaching the limit should follow official updates, as exceeding the threshold automatically obliges them to register as a VAT payer.

It is important to understand: VAT exemption does not exempt from paying tax on supplies from abroad or from other tax obligations, and companies using this regime cannot reimburse input VAT on their expenses - so the decision should be made together with an accountant, taking into account the cost structure of a particular business.

The ranking of the safest countries for investors 2026 is here.

How much does it cost to open a business in Belgium?

The total start-up budget depends on the form of the company, region, notary and accountant tariffs and the specifics of the activity. Sole proprietorship is usually cheaper precisely because it does not require notarization.

In the case of an SRL/BV, the estimate should include notary services, registration fees, preparation of a financial plan, accounting support, company start-up assets, professional insurance and legal address costs. It is better to calculate the exact budget individually with an accountant or business consultant, since tariffs and mandatory payments change periodically.

Where to look for the first customers after launching?

Company registration is only the first stage of work. Next, the entrepreneur needs to declare himself to the target audience, and in Belgium there are several proven channels for this: local business communities and chambers of commerce by region, industry platforms for freelancers, as well as online directories of foreign businesses, where you can post contacts, field of activity and geolocation of the company for free.

Such directories are especially useful at the start, when you do not yet have your own brand and an established reputation in the local market.

Where is capital moving after the crisis in Dubai 2026? Read our previous article.

What are the most common mistakes made by beginners?

Among the typical problems faced by foreign entrepreneurs in Belgium:

- using instructions relevant to another region of the country instead of checking the requirements of their own;

- choosing an SRL only because of the lack of a formal requirement for minimum capital, without real financial resources;

- an insufficiently realistic financial plan that does not withstand the inspection of a notary or bank;

- starting a regulated activity without confirming professional qualifications;

- lack of mandatory professional insurance or the necessary license;

- mixing personal and business finances, especially within the framework of a sole proprietorship.

Avoiding these mistakes most often determines how smoothly the first year of the company's operation will go.

Starting a business in Belgium successfully depends not only on a good idea, but also on the right legal form, a realistic financial plan, and attention to regional specifics and deadlines for obtaining permits. Since the rules on professional cards, VAT thresholds, and requirements for regulated professions are updated periodically, it is worth checking the relevant information on the official portals of the relevant region before registering.

Registering a company in Belgium combines several levels of bureaucracy at once - regional requirements for a professional card, notarization of SRL/BV, registration with Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, activation of a VAT number, and joining the social security fund. A mistake at any of these stages can delay the start of a business for months or lead to fines.

A personal lawyer for business will help you choose the optimal legal form of the company, prepare a financial plan for a notary, apply for a work visa or self-employment permit, and minimize tax risks even before launch.

Entrust the legal part to a specialist - and focus on the business itself.

Recall! The European Parliament has allowed the start of final negotiations on the digital euro, which should become a publicly available alternative to private payment systems. The pilot project is planned to be launched in 2027, and the first full-fledged release is possible in 2029. We have already talked about the principle of operation of the digital euro, the planned restrictions and the consequences for consumers and businesses.

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