Define your economic activities (NACE-BEL)
In Belgium, every economic activity is assigned a NACE-BEL code. When you register with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE), you select the codes assigned to the activities you carry out.
What are NACE-BEL codes?
A NACE-BEL code is a standardised industry code used in Belgium. NACE codes are used to collect statistics on businesses within the European Union. Each code is a combination of five or seven digits and a description. The explanatory notes detail the type of activity associated with each code. If an activity is not listed there, you can consult the list of opinions issued by FPS Economy.
You can assign multiple activity codes to your company, depending on the activities you carry out. You can also edit your activities at any time.
Why are NACE-BEL codes important??
Government agencies, banks and many other stakeholders need your company's data as recorded in the CBE. If your business activities do not match the registered codes, you may miss out on bonuses or subsidies. Your customers, suppliers and government agencies might misunderstand your activities.
You can find a NACE-BEL code using the NACE-BEL code search module.
Download from the FPS Economy website:
How to determine your NACE-BEL codes
Follow the steps below to select the correct NACE-BEL codes:
- Describe your activities in simple but precise terms. What exactly do you do? Do you make your own products? Do you outsource part of the manufacturing process to other companies? What do you sell, and to whom? Do you own the products you sell? What services do you offer?
- Distinguish your primary activities from your secondary activities. You can register up to five NACE-BEL codes per establishment unit (business location) as primary activities with the BCE. There is no limit on secondary activities, provided that the activities listed are actually carried out. The activities you plan to exercise or would like to exercise should not be included here. For more information on establishment units, and primary and secondary activities, visit the FPS Economy website
- Match the appropriate NACE-BEL codes to your activities. The registration of the economic activities carried out within each establishment unit by companies required to register with the CBE is handled by an authorised business counter. Feel free to ask them if you have used the correct codes.
- Enter the NACE-BEL codes for each establishment unit. If you have multiple units, you must enter the appropriate NACE-BEL codes for each address. Any business with a characteristic that must be registered must have at least one active establishment unit.
Once registered, you can view your registered NACE-BEL codes using the CBE's Public Search tool or in the My Enterprise app.
Edit or add NACE-BEL codes
Are you stopping certain activities or starting new ones? Or are you opening a new location for your activities? If so, you must change the NACE-BEL codes registered with the CBE. You have one month from the start of the new activity or the opening of a new establishment unit to do this.
Good to know: You must contact a business counter to change your codes or add an establishment unit. Please note that there is a fee for this service.
However, if you have a non-profit organisation (ASBL), you can make these changes free of charge through My Enterprise.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which NACE-BEL codes I need to register for my business?
Start with your actual activities: what you do, what you sell, and to whom. Select the appropriate NACE-BEL codes based on this. An accredited business counter can help you select the appropriate codes.
Can I add multiple NACE-BEL codes to my business?
Yes, you can register multiple activities. Within each establishment unit, you can register up to five primary activities and add an unlimited number of secondary activities, provided that the registered activities are actually carried out. The activities you plan to exercise or would ultimately like to exercise should not be included here. Find out more.
How do I change my company's NACE-BEL codes?
You can update your NACE-BEL codes yourself online through My Enterprise or through an accredited business counter. You have one month from the start of a new business activity to do this. If you add a new establishment unit, you must use a business counter, but the deadline is also 30 days after the unit opens.
Can anyone view my company's NACE-BEL codes?
Yes. Your NACE-BEL codes are publicly available through the CBE's Public Search tool. This tool allows you to look up the NACE codes for all companies in Belgium.
What is the difference between NACE codes and NACE-BEL codes?
NACE codes are European activity codes. Countries may add additional codes to this list, as long as the basic structure remains unchanged. In Belgium, the national codes are called NACE-BEL codes and are used for administrative identification purposes (registration of activities in the CBE) and for statistical purposes.