Belgium, a multicultural and multilingual country nestled in the heart of Europe, offers numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to establish a business.
Whether a Belgian BV or a common partnership, starting a business in the country is a straightforward and efficient process. Get to know all the essentials about incorporating a Belgian company in this comprehensive guide.

Table of Contents

• Why Choose Belgium?
• Understanding Different Business Forms
• Steps to Incorporate a Belgian Company
• Getting Registered: The Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE)
• Managing a Maatschap
• Profit Allocation in a Maatschap
• Liability Limitation
• Decisions of Partners
• Creditors’ Rights
• Dissolution and Liquidation of a Maatschap
• Special Rules for VOF and CommV
• A Maatschap is a Company
• In a Nutshell

Why Choose Belgium?

Belgium’s strategic location and business-friendly environment make it a prime destination for entrepreneurs. Its well-established infrastructure, highly skilled workforce, and progressive policies make it easy tostart a business in Belgium. Here, you can enjoy the benefits of being within the European Union, making it easier to access the broader European market.

Understanding Different Business Forms

In Belgium, businesses can take various legal forms. Two of the most common are theMaatschap andVennootschap onder firma (vof).

AMaatschap is the simplest form of partnership in Belgium, with partners having unlimited liability. It can be either ‘undisclosed’ or ‘temporary’. If theMaatschap gains legal personality, it becomes avof, with all the partners being jointly and severally liable.

Steps to Incorporate a Belgian Company

Incorporating a Belgian business involves several steps. Firstly, you must decide on the legal structure of your business. Once that’s done, you’ll need to draft the company’s articles of association, open a bank account, and deposit the initial capital. You’ll also need to register the company with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE) and apply for a VAT number.

Getting Registered: The Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE)

One of the key steps in starting any Belgian business is registering with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE). The CBE is a public register for all businesses in Belgium, and it’s mandatory for all businesses to register here. The CBE provides a unique enterprise number, which is used in all communications with the Belgian authorities.

Managing a Maatschap

AMaatschap is managed by one or more managing directors. These directors may or may not be partners and can fulfill their task separately unless specified otherwise by the partnership agreement.

Profit Allocation in a Maatschap

In aMaatschap, partners can decide their share in the profits and losses, as well as their share in the capital upon termination of the partnership. However, all profits cannot be distributed to one partner, nor can any partner be denied any of the profit.

Liability Limitation

The Belgian Companies and Associations Code (CAC) provides liability limitation for directors of companies with legal personality. However, this limitation does not apply to the management of aMaatschap.

Decisions of Partners

Under the CAC, in a meeting, the partners may unanimously take all decisions concerning the partnership or that change the partnership agreement, unless the agreement provides otherwise.

Creditors’ Rights

In aMaatschap, the creditors of the partnership have recourse to the partnership’s assets and simultaneously to the assets of the partners. However, personal creditors of the partners have recourse only to the related partner’s share and the profits paid to that partner.

Dissolution and Liquidation of a Maatschap

The dissolution of aMaatschap can occur due to several reasons such as expiration of the term, destruction of the good or performance of the activity, the death, legal incompetence, liquidation, bankruptcy or insolvency of either partner, among others.

Special Rules for VOF and CommV

Unlike aMaatschap, avof and aCommV are partnerships without legal personality. For these partnerships, the CAC provides several special rules.

A Maatschap is a Company

AMaatschap is considered a company under Belgian law. Like any other Belgian company, aMaatschap is subject to several rules, including mandatory registration in the CBE and the requirement to keep records.

In a Nutshell

Starting a business in Belgium is a straightforward process. Whether you’re looking to set up aMaatschap, avof, or any other business form, this guide provides the essential information you need toincorporate a Belgian company.

Start your company formation in Belgium now with the House of Companies’ self-governance portal!