Belgium Company Formation

Opening a company in Belgium

Why open a company in Belgium? What are the advantages of the country of Belgium?
Belgium, a country that is part of the European Union, is a convenient solution for many entrepreneurs.

The local currency is the Euro (EUR).

Belgium is a large and broad market, with significant growth potential for foreign entrepreneurs.

Belgium's strong consumer market, with 12 million people, is one of the largest in Europe. Belgium is one of the "Low Countries" in Western Europe, and this is a very important strategic location for import/export operations to Europe. The country's favorable location in Central Europe, where the main transport routes intersect, allows exporting goods to all European countries, thus reaching over 500 million consumers.

Belgium is a perfect place for investment and business expansion. The Belgian government is keen to boost the economy by offering incentives to foreign investors, particularly those in the aerospace, electronics and renewable energy industries.

Investors see Belgium as one of the most attractive investment destinations in Europe. Tourists are charmed by the hospitality and friendliness, Belgium's cultural heritage and the country's natural wealth.

All these factors, together with the international security of the country due to Belgium's membership in the European Union, and the existence of the NATO headquarters in Belgium, make Belgium a reliable and important business partner for foreign investors.

The process of opening a company in Belgium
Opening a company in Belgium begins with the signing of a notarized power of attorney in Israel to open a company. The document is then urgently sent by courier to Belgium for processing with a local Belgian notary. After several processes in Belgium, the client is required to sign the application for registration in the commercial register, and again send the document to Belgium. At this point, the company already exists legally and can start business activities.

In Belgium, there is no need for a local director or local shareholder.

In Belgium, you also do not need any European citizenship to open a company. You can open a Belgian company even if you are an Israeli citizen.

This means that you can open the company with 100% shareholding in the name of an Israeli citizen - in your name, or even In the name of an Israeli company. The director can be Israeli and there is no need for a local director.

Business plan
To open a company in Belgium, similar to the Netherlands, a business plan is required.

Opening a bank account in Belgium – current account for the company
Since it is a European country, more or less starting in 2018, anyone who wants to open a bank account is required to come to the country.

However, there is an alternative, which is opening an online bank account. Indeed, similar to our "Zero One" bank, there are online banks in Europe that will be happy to accept your company in Belgium as a client. Any European bank will suit the company's needs.

Equity Requirements
In Belgium there is no equity requirement, but in practice if the company's capital is less than 1,000 euros, notaries in Belgium refuse to sign the company's memorandum of association for the purpose of opening it.

VAT Registration
After opening the company, at the same time as opening the current bank account for the company, the new company will also be registered with VAT. The company will receive a VAT number and can start trading.

EORI number
If you need it, we can obtain an EORI number for you so that you can import or export with the company within Europe.
EORI is an abbreviation for Economic Operators Registration and Identification number.

Company Maintenance
The company requires annual maintenance of payment of fees, annual filings, a local address (which we will provide for you), as well as filings with the tax authority.

Tax in Belgium
The company pays a tax of 20% on profits up to 100,000 euros, and 25% on any amount above that.
For sales to the domestic Belgian market, VAT is 21%.

The company director will have to pay 900 euros each quarter, for national insurance, for the purpose of accumulating a pension. You can request not to pay this amount.

Questions and Answers
Question: Is it necessary to physically fly to Belgium to open a company in Belgium?
Answer: The entire process is carried out remotely and at no stage is it necessary to physically arrive in Belgium. There is no need to fly to Belgium to open the company, nor the company's bank account. The entire process of opening the company and in most cases also the company's bank account, is carried out remotely without setting foot on Belgian soil.
Question: Who provides the local address for the company in the new Belgium?
Answer: We will provide the local address.

Question: How can I find a good accountant who can handle the company in our new Belgium?
Answer: We will connect you with a local accountant.

Question: If I want to come to Belgium to open a bank account, what should I do?
Answer: We will try to arrange an appointment for you in advance At the branch for signatures on account opening forms, so that everything is in order before you arrive, so that you don't just wander around the city trying to find a branch that will accept you and open a bank account for your new company in Belgium.

Question: What type of company in Belgium should I open?
Answer: In Belgium, there is only one type of limited company, which is the B.V. (Ltd.), so there is no need to hesitate in choosing the type of company to open in Belgium. The B.V. is the same suffix as the Netherlands, and this makes sense in this context because Belgium, along with the Netherlands, is one of the Low Countries.

Question: Do you need a European passport to open a company in Belgium?
Answer: There is no need for a European passport. We can open a company in Belgium for any Israeli citizen as long as they have a valid passport.

Question: How long does it take to open a company in Belgium?
Answer: The process of opening a company, including signing and sending the power of attorney, should take about 4 weeks.

The memorandum of association will be signed By the notary within 5 working days. After that, within 3-4 days we can provide the company registration number, and two days later we can provide the memorandum of association with the signature of the government office (Registrar of Companies). After the memorandum of association is signed, a bank account must be opened in the name of the company. The process of opening a bank account takes between 3-4 weeks, depending on the banks' willingness to accept the new company as a client. After we receive the company's bank account number, we will need another two days to carry out the various mandatory registrations of the company.

Of course, these times depend on third parties and are therefore only an estimate.

Question: Is it possible to open a company in Belgium for a person with American citizenship or a person living in the USA?
Answer: Yes. We know how to open a company in Belgium for a person with American citizenship or a person living in the US.

It may seem trivial that a person with ties to the US could open a company in Belgium, but we assure you that this is not the case. Today, all banks in Belgium, without exception, refuse to open an account for a new Belgian company if its owner has any ties to the US. Therefore, we are probably the only ones in Israel, and certainly one of the few in Belgium, who know how to open a company in Belgium for a person with American citizenship or living in the US.

Question: Is it possible to define that any Israeli company will be the subsidiary of a company in Belgium?
Answer: Yes, absolutely, we know how to do such a process with the Israeli Registrar of Companies without any problems and in a completely smooth manner.

Question: How much does it cost to open a company in Belgium?

Answer: Click here to contact us and get an up-to-date quote for free!

Your Belgian company registration is guaranteed by 100% money back.
If we can't open your company, you receive all your money back, no questions asked.