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Starting or registering a business in Lessines follows Belgian company and regulatory law combined with regional and local rules that apply in Wallonia. The core steps include choosing a legal form, drawing up the required formation documents, registering with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises - the national business register - and completing required tax and social registrations. Depending on the activity and premises you will also have to comply with Walloon and municipal rules on permits, zoning, health and safety, and environmental requirements. Lessines is in the province of Hainaut and French is the main working language for local administrations and courts.
Legal help is often useful or necessary when:
- You need to choose the right legal form for liability, tax and financing reasons - for example sole proprietorship, SRL-BV (private limited company), SA-NV (public limited company), partnership, or branch of a foreign company.
- You want properly drafted incorporation documents, shareholder agreements, or bylaws that anticipate governance, voting and exit scenarios.
- You plan a complex structure involving minority shareholders, investor protections, convertible instruments, or option plans.
- You need assistance with mandatory notarial acts. Certain companies must be formed by notarial deed and lawyers often coordinate with notaries.
- You need to obtain regulated-profession authorizations, environmental permits, building permits or municipal approvals for premises.
- You are buying, selling, merging or restructuring a business and need due diligence, asset transfer agreements or employment-law advice.
- You face disputes with co-owners, creditors, suppliers, or public authorities where immediate legal advice may limit risk.
A lawyer experienced in Belgian company and commercial law can help you avoid formation mistakes, reduce liability exposure and ensure compliance with regional and municipal rules that affect Lessines.
Key legal and regulatory features to keep in mind when registering a business in Lessines include:
- Federal company law - Company formation, corporate governance, directors duties and insolvency are regulated by the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations. The SRL-BV is the common private limited company form used since the reform of company law, and the SA-NV remains the form used for certain large or publicly traded companies.
- Crossroads Bank for Enterprises - All businesses and legal entities must register with the national business register to receive a unique enterprise number. This registration is the basic legal identifier used for tax and administrative matters.
- VAT and tax registration - Businesses that will carry out taxable activities must register for VAT with the federal tax authorities. Corporate tax, VAT and payroll taxes are administered at the federal level.
- Social security for self-employed - If you are self-employed or employ staff you must register for social security and pay social contributions via the appropriate social insurance fund. Employment law and payroll obligations apply to hiring staff.
- Regional regulation in Wallonia - Permits for environmental impact, waste management, large installations, and certain trade activities are regulated by the Walloon Region. Building permits and land-use rules are issued at municipal or regional level and must be checked before moving into premises.
- Local municipal rules - The Lessines commune has local rules on opening hours, signage, waste collection, and municipal taxes. Local inspections for hygiene, fire safety or zoning may be required depending on the activity.
- Regulated professions and authorizations - Some activities require specific professional qualifications, registration or licences - for example construction, food handling, pharmacies, and certain health services.
Choose based on liability, tax, capital needs and governance. A sole proprietorship is simple but exposes personal assets. The SRL-BV (private limited company) limits liability and is flexible for small and medium enterprises. The SA-NV suits larger undertakings or those seeking public offerings. A lawyer can explain the practical and tax consequences for your specific plan.
Not always. Many companies can be formed without a notary, but companies that require a deed - for example certain public limited companies, or when real estate or certain capital structures are involved - must go through a notary. A notary must also authenticate certain capital contributions in kind. Your lawyer or a guichet d entreprises agreé can confirm requirements for your project.
Typical steps are: choose a name and legal form; prepare incorporation documents; if needed sign a notarial deed; register the entity with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises to obtain an enterprise number; register for VAT if you will make taxable supplies; register with a social insurance fund for self-employed or for payroll; and obtain any region or municipal permits needed for premises or regulated activities.
Times vary. Company formation can be completed in days to a few weeks depending on whether a notary is required and the complexity of documents. Registration at the business register is often quick once documents are in order. VAT registration and permit procedures can take additional days or weeks depending on the agency involved and the need for inspections.
Expect costs such as registration fees, publication fees, notary fees if required, initial legal and accounting advice, and administrative fees with regional or municipal authorities. Ongoing costs include accounting, taxes, social contributions and local taxes. Exact amounts depend on business form and complexity, but budget for several hundred to a few thousand euros for initial formalities in many cases.
If you will make taxable supplies of goods or services in Belgium you generally need to register for VAT before starting those activities. The VAT registration is handled by the federal tax authorities once you have your enterprise number. Some small enterprises may qualify for a small business scheme but you should seek advice before assuming exemption.
Permits depend on activity and premises. Common requirements include building and planning permits if you change premises; environmental permits for certain installations or waste activities; hygiene and health permits for food-related businesses; and local authorizations for signage or opening hours. Check with the Lessines municipal administration and the Walloon Region authorities for specifics.
A foreign individual or company wishing to trade in Belgium must also register with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises. If you open a local branch of a foreign company you must register the branch and provide the parent company documentation. Additional rules apply for non-EU nationals regarding right to work and registration - check immigration and professional card rules if applicable.
Directors must act in the companys best interest, avoid conflicts of interest, maintain proper accounting records and ensure compliance with tax and social obligations. Belgian law imposes fiduciary and reporting duties and civil and sometimes criminal liability for serious breaches. It is important to understand these responsibilities before accepting a management role.
Closing a business requires formal steps: settle debts and liabilities, notify tax authorities and social insurance, deregister from the business register, and in the case of companies follow liquidation procedures including a formal winding-up and publication. Procedures depend on the legal form and whether there is insolvency. A lawyer can guide the clean and lawful closure to avoid future liabilities.
Useful institutions and organizations to consult when registering a business in Lessines include:
- The Crossroads Bank for Enterprises - the national business register where you obtain your enterprise number.
- Federal tax administration - for VAT and corporate tax registration and guidance.
- Social insurance funds for self-employed and national social security authorities - for social contribution registration and advice.
- Walloon Region administrations - for regional permits and environmental or land-use rules.
- The Lessines municipal administration - for local permits, zoning and business-related municipal procedures.
- Guichet d entreprises agreé - one-stop shops authorized to handle many company formation formalities and registrations.
- Local Chamber of Commerce or regional business federations - for practical advice, networking and local market information.
If you need legal assistance for business registration in Lessines follow these practical steps:
- Gather basic information: planned activity, intended legal form, premises details and ownership, expected turnover and number of employees. This helps professionals assess needs quickly.
- Contact a guichet d entreprises agreé or a lawyer with experience in Belgian company law and Walloon regional rules. Ask for a clear fee estimate and the services included - for example drafting documents, notary coordination, registration and permit applications.
- Prepare required identity and corporate documents: identity papers, proof of address, diplomas for regulated professions, and any foreign company documents if applicable.
- Decide on language preferences for documentation and communications - French will be the default for local Lessines authorities.
- Check premises and permits before signing leases or buying property. Make permit checks a condition precedent when negotiating leases or purchase agreements.
- Keep hold of receipts, registrations and proof of filings. Maintain organised accounting from day one to comply with Belgian record keeping and tax rules.
If you want, provide a brief summary of your project - legal form you are considering, whether you have premises, and whether you expect employees - and a lawyer or local adviser can give tailored next-step guidance and a fee estimate.
