Existing user? Sign in
Share your needs with us, get contacted by law firms.
Free. Takes 2 min.
Business registration in Amay follows the national and regional legal framework of Belgium, combined with local municipal requirements in the Walloon province of Liège. Whether you plan to start as a sole trader, set up a limited liability company, open a branch, or operate a shop or restaurant, you must register with the national business register - the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises - and meet tax, social security, urban planning and sectoral rules. Many formal steps can be completed via an accredited enterprise counter - guichet d'entreprise - which helps entrepreneurs meet registration, VAT and social insurance obligations. Local rules in Amay - including urban planning, environmental and signage rules - can affect where and how you operate.
A lawyer can help protect your interests and reduce risk at critical moments in the life of a business. Common situations where legal help is valuable include:
- Choosing the optimal legal form - sole proprietor, SRL, SA or cooperative - and drafting the articles of association. The recent companies code gives more flexibility but also more responsibility for proper governance.
- Drafting shareholder or partner agreements that govern decision-making, profit sharing and exit rules.
- Preparing or reviewing incorporation documents - for many company forms a notary is required, and lawyers coordinate legal structure and tax aspects.
- Handling local permits and administrative appeals - zoning, environment permits and licences for regulated activities such as food service, waste management or industrial operations.
- Advising on employment law - contracts, termination, social contributions and workplace rules.
- Assisting with commercial contracts - leases, service contracts, supplier and customer agreements, distribution and franchise agreements.
- Representing you in disputes - commercial litigation before the Tribunal of the Enterprise, debt recovery or arbitration.
- Supporting mergers, acquisitions, restructurings or company closings - including due diligence and negotiations.
Key legal elements particularly relevant to business registration in Amay include:
- National registration - All businesses must be listed in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises - Banque-Carrefour des Entreprises / Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen (BCE-KBO) - which issues the company number used in official transactions.
- Company law - The Belgian Companies and Associations Code governs company types, director duties, capital rules and corporate governance. The SRL is the common flexible private company form for small and medium businesses.
- Tax and VAT - Businesses that make taxable supplies must register for VAT with the Federal Public Service Finance. Corporate tax, personal tax for sole traders and local municipal taxes may also apply.
- Social security - Self-employed persons must register with a social insurance fund and pay social contributions. Employers must register employees with social security and payroll reporting authorities.
- Local permits and urban planning - Amay municipal services enforce urban planning rules, building permits and local by-laws on signage, opening hours and noise. Certain activities may need an environmental permit or sectoral licence under Walloon regional rules.
- Health and safety and sectoral rules - Food businesses, child care, transport, construction and industrial activities face specific sanitary, safety and environmental obligations at regional and federal levels.
- Language - French is the administrative language in Wallonia. Expect forms and procedures at the municipal level to be in French and plan for translations if needed.
Decide on the legal form, prepare identity documents and proof of address, choose a business name and check its availability, contact an accredited guichet d'entreprise to submit registration to the BCE-KBO, obtain a company number, register for VAT if needed, and register with a social insurance fund if self-employed or as an employer. Check local permits with the Amay urban planning and environment services.
Not always. For many small companies like an SRL, incorporation normally requires a notary when the company is established with a notarial deed - however simplified procedures can apply depending on the structure and capital arrangements. For public limited companies or more complex arrangements a notary is typically required. A lawyer or guichet d'entreprise can advise on the correct route.
Register for VAT at the Federal Public Service Finance when you perform taxable activities and exceed registration thresholds or when you expect to make taxable supplies. Registration is often done via the guichet d'entreprise or directly with tax authorities. VAT obligations include issuing VAT invoices, filing returns and complying with VAT bookkeeping rules.
Permits vary by activity. Common municipal requirements include building and urban planning permits for premises, environmental permits for activities that affect air, water or waste, and local business licences or registration for certain trades. Contact Amay's urbanism and environment services early to check specific permits for your activity.
Yes, but non-EU nationals generally need a professional card or a residence permit authorizing self-employment or company management. Rules differ by nationality and activity. You must also meet registration, social security and tax obligations. Seek specialized legal or immigration advice before starting.
Costs vary - administrative fees for registration at the BCE-KBO are modest, notary fees apply for certain company types, and professional fees for lawyers or accountants depend on complexity. Additional costs include VAT registration, social insurance contributions, municipal permit fees and potential capital deposits. Request a clear estimate from service providers before proceeding.
An accredited guichet d'entreprise is a one-stop counter that assists with registration formalities - BCE-KBO registration, VAT filing, social insurance registration and issuing required certificates. Using a guichet simplifies the administrative process and ensures compliance with national registration steps.
Check zoning plans, permitted land use, noise and opening hours restrictions, parking and traffic access, and proximity to residential areas that may limit industrial or commercial operations. Environmental constraints and heritage protections can also apply. Consult Amay's planning service before signing leases or buying property.
Dissolution requires complying with company law steps - shareholder or owner decisions, liquidation procedures, notifying BCE-KBO, settling taxes and social obligations, and, where applicable, publishing notices. Complexities increase if there are creditors, employees or cross-border issues. Get legal and accounting advice to avoid personal liability.
Engage a lawyer when your business involves complex ownership structures, multiple shareholders, significant initial capital, regulated activities, property or lease negotiations, cross-border operations, or when you face disputes or regulatory uncertainty. A lawyer helps structure the business to reduce future legal and financial risk.
Useful bodies and sources of assistance include -
- Crossroads Bank for Enterprises - Banque-Carrefour des Entreprises / Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen - for company numbers and official registry information.
- Federal Public Service Finance - for tax and VAT registration and guidance.
- Local guichet d'entreprise agrée - accredited one-stop counters that handle registrations and formalities.
- Amay municipal services - urban planning, environment and local permits.
- Social insurance funds for self-employed - for mandatory social security registration and contributions.
- Tribunal of the Enterprise - for commercial litigation and company court matters.
- Chamber of Commerce and local business support organisations in the Liège region - for practical business advice and networking.
- A notary or a lawyer specializing in corporate and commercial law - for incorporation, contracts and disputes.
Follow this practical checklist to move forward:
- Define your business activity and choose the legal form that matches your needs and risk tolerance.
- Contact an accredited guichet d'entreprise in the Liège area to start BCE-KBO registration and to ask about VAT and social security steps.
- Consult Amay municipal services about urban planning, environmental and local permit requirements for your chosen premises.
- If your case is complex - for example multiple owners, cross-border elements, regulated activities or significant capital - schedule a consultation with a lawyer experienced in Belgian company law. Ask for a written scope of work and a fee estimate.
- Prepare required documents - identity papers, proof of address, business plan, lease or deed, and any professional qualifications needed for your activity.
- Keep a simple compliance calendar - filing deadlines, VAT returns, social security payments and licence renewals - and consider hiring an accountant to manage tax and bookkeeping.
If you are ready to seek legal assistance prepare a concise summary of your project, gather the key documents and list your main questions - this will help a lawyer provide efficient and practical advice tailored to your situation in Amay.
