Start a business
From choosing your business structure to hiring employees, there are many decisions to make when setting up or expanding a business. This page provides an overview of the most important milestones in the life cycle of your business.
Before you start
- Requirements to start a business
Before starting your business, check whether you meet the conditions required to operate in Belgium. These requirements may depend on your personal situation, nationality and profession.
- Choose a legal form for your business
Choosing the legal form of your business is an important decision. Each form has different implications for your liability, costs, taxation and day-to-day management.
- Write your business plan
A business plan helps you test your idea against reality and clarify your strategy. It is useful for yourself, but also when approaching banks, investors or other partners.
- Define your economic activities (NACE-BEL)
In Belgium, every economic activity is classified using a NACE-BEL code. These codes identify the activities your business carries out and are registered in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE).
- Regulated professions: having your professional qualifications recognized
Some professions are regulated and require specific professional qualifications. If you obtained your qualifications abroad, you may need to have them recognised before practising your profession in Belgium.
Register your business
A sole proprietorship is a simple and quick way to start your own business. The procedure does not require a notary or minimum start-up capital.
Setting up a company involves several steps, from preparing your project and creating the legal entity to registering it with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE).
Additional steps
- Social insurance fund
A social insurance fund manages your social security as a self-employed person. You pay social contributions to build up social rights such as healthcare, pension and income protection.
- Take care of other formalities
Depending on your activities and location, you may need additional permits, licences or certifications. Check which obligations apply to your business before you start operating.