To incorporate a company in Belgium, there are a number of steps and requirements that are needed to ensure legal compliance, as listed below:
- decide whether to establish a subsidiary (legal personality) or a branch (no distinct legal personality);
- in case of the establishment of a subsidiary: define the capital structure of the company and choose a form for your company. The most common forms are the Company Limited by Shares (NV/SA) and the Private Limited Liability Company (BVBA/SPRL);
- prepare an incorporation deed (including the articles of association) with the public notary;
- deposit of (at least) the paid-up capital with a Belgian credit institution and obtain a standard certification that the amount is held in a blocked “capital” account;
- deposit of a two-year preliminary financial plan with the public notary;
- decide who will be the directors/managers of the company;
- registration of the deed of incorporation with the Commercial Court;
- registration with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, VAT and social security at a Business-One-Stop Shop in order to obtain a company number;
- the Business-One-Stop Shop will also take care of the application for a VAT number;
- registration of trademarks or other intellectual property rights, if applicable.