Best New Business Formation Lawyers in Hasselt

About New Business Formation Law in Hasselt, Belgium

New business formation in Hasselt follows Belgian federal company and trade law, supplemented by rules applicable in Flanders and local municipal requirements. The Belgian Companies and Associations Code sets the framework for choosing a legal form, forming a company, director duties, shareholder rights, and disclosure. Founders register their business in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises and handle taxes and social security with federal authorities, while permits and local taxes may be handled with the City of Hasselt and Flemish bodies.

Hasselt is in the Flemish Region, so incorporation deeds for companies that require a notary are drawn up in Dutch, and many procedures and forms are handled in Dutch. Practical steps include selecting a legal form, drafting a financial plan where required, signing a notarial deed if needed, registering via a recognized one stop business counter, activating VAT, affiliating with a social insurance fund for the self employed or an employer social security account, and arranging sector specific licenses and municipal permits.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

A lawyer can help you choose the most suitable legal form, such as a sole proprietorship, a private limited company, or a partnership, based on risk, tax, governance, and growth plans. This avoids costly restructuring later and helps protect personal assets.

When a notarial deed is required, counsel can coordinate with the notary and prepare tailored articles of association, shareholder agreements, and director service agreements. Proper drafting is crucial for rules on decision making, profit distribution, transfer of shares, and exit scenarios.

Many businesses in Hasselt need licenses or permits for food, retail, hospitality, transport, healthcare, crafts, or construction. A lawyer can identify which sectoral and municipal authorizations apply and prepare compliant filings, including environmental and spatial planning checks.

Belgian law imposes director liability rules, financial plan requirements for certain companies, UBO reporting, data protection duties, and employment law obligations. Legal advice reduces the risk of fines, personal liability, or tax issues.

If you are a foreign founder, a lawyer can help with residence and work permissions, the professional card for non EEA self employed where applicable, and recognition of foreign corporate documents when opening a Belgian branch or subsidiary in Hasselt.

Local Laws Overview

Legal forms. Common forms include the sole proprietorship, the private limited company BV SRL, the public limited company NV SA, the cooperative company CV SC, and partnerships such as VOF and CommV. The BV SRL is the most used limited liability vehicle for startups and SMEs. The NV SA is often used for larger or regulated businesses. Partnerships generally offer flexibility but do not provide full limited liability for all partners.

Capital and financial plan. The BV SRL has no statutory minimum capital, but founders must provide adequate initial equity and a substantiated financial plan that supports the business for at least two years. The NV SA requires a minimum paid in capital of 61,500 euros. In a BV SRL, distributions to shareholders are subject to a net assets test and a liquidity test.

Notary and language. Incorporation of a BV SRL, NV SA, or CV SC requires a notarial deed. In Flanders, notarial deeds are executed in Dutch. The notary files the deed with the Enterprise Court and arranges publication in the Belgian Official Gazette. Sole proprietorships and most partnerships are formed without a notary, but written partnership agreements are strongly recommended.

Registration. Every business must obtain an enterprise number by registering with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises through a recognized one stop business counter in Belgium. You will select NACEBEL activity codes that describe your activities. Some professions are regulated and require proof of competence or accreditation.

VAT and taxes. Most businesses must activate a VAT number and charge Belgian VAT at 21 percent or at reduced rates when applicable. Corporate income tax is generally 25 percent, with a reduced rate for qualifying small companies on the first bracket of taxable profit subject to conditions. Sole proprietors pay personal income tax on business profits. Businesses make advance tax payments to avoid surcharges.

Social security. Sole proprietors and company directors must join a social insurance fund for the self employed and pay quarterly contributions. Employers must register with the National Social Security Office, set up payroll, and comply with labor law, including work regulations, employment contracts, and occupational health and safety obligations.

UBO register. Companies and certain entities must identify their ultimate beneficial owners in the UBO register, keep the information up to date, and confirm it annually.

Accounting and filings. Businesses must keep accounts. Companies file annual accounts with the National Bank of Belgium based on their size category and hold annual general meetings. Size thresholds for micro, small, and large companies are set by law and updated periodically. Keep supporting documents for tax and VAT audits.

Sectoral permits. Food businesses require registration or authorization from the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain. Transport, healthcare, construction, financial services, education, childcare, and other sectors have specific authorizations and professional qualifications.

Municipal rules in Hasselt. Depending on your activities, you may need a retail establishment permit, a permit for a terrace or signage, an environmental permit for certain installations, or notification for events and advertising. Local taxes may apply to advertising, terraces, waste, and nightlife. Zoning rules influence where you can operate.

Employment. Hiring staff requires Dimona declarations, affiliation with an external prevention service, mandatory insurance for workplace accidents, and often a social secretariat for payroll. Collective bargaining agreements and sector specific rules set minimum wages, working time, and benefits.

Data protection and ecommerce. If you process personal data, you must comply with GDPR. Online sales must follow consumer protection rules, provide clear terms and conditions, and handle cookies and distance selling requirements.

Intellectual property. Protect names and logos through trademark registration with the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property. Consider domain names, copyrights, and confidentiality arrangements.

Foreign founders. Non EEA self employed individuals may require a professional card to operate in Belgium. Employees usually need a single permit for work and residence. Branches of foreign companies must register with the Enterprise Court and publish translations of corporate documents.

Disputes and oversight. Company files are handled by the Enterprise Court of Antwerp, Hasselt division. Administrative oversight involves the Federal Public Service Finance, the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, social security bodies, and sector regulators.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which legal form should I choose for my business in Hasselt

The choice depends on liability, funding, tax, and governance. A sole proprietorship is simple but offers no limited liability. A BV SRL offers limited liability, flexible governance, no minimum capital, and suits most SMEs. An NV SA suits larger or regulated ventures and requires 61,500 euros capital. Partnerships are flexible but often entail personal liability for at least one partner. A lawyer and accountant can model the costs and risks for your situation.

Do I need a notary to set up my company

You need a notary for a BV SRL, NV SA, or CV SC. The notary drafts and executes the deed in Dutch for Flanders, files it with the Enterprise Court, and arranges publication. You do not need a notary for a sole proprietorship or for most simple partnerships, although a written agreement is advisable.

How long does it take to incorporate in Hasselt

With documents ready, a BV SRL can often be incorporated within one to two weeks, including the notarial deed and publication. Registration with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises and VAT activation through the business counter can often be completed within a few days thereafter. Timelines vary with bank account setup, sector permits, and workload at authorities.

What is the financial plan and who prepares it

For a BV SRL, founders must prepare a financial plan that substantiates adequate initial equity and viability for at least two years. It includes projected income statements, cash flow, balance sheets, assumptions, and funding sources. The plan is kept by the notary and can be used in liability assessments if the company fails early. An accountant or advisor usually helps prepare it.

How do I get my enterprise and VAT numbers

You register with a recognized one stop business counter to obtain your enterprise number and to list your NACEBEL activity codes. The same counter can activate your VAT number with the tax authorities. After activation, you may issue invoices that meet Belgian formalities and charge VAT when applicable.

What permits might I need from the City of Hasselt

Depending on your activity and location, you may need a retail establishment permit, signage or terrace authorization, event permissions, or an environmental permit for certain equipment or emissions. Hospitality venues often need extra authorizations and compliance with opening hours and nuisance rules. A local check on zoning and nuisances is essential before signing a lease.

How are startups taxed in Belgium

Companies pay corporate income tax on profits, generally at 25 percent, with a reduced rate on the first bracket for qualifying small companies. VAT applies to most supplies at 21 percent or reduced rates. Sole proprietors pay personal income tax on progressive rates. Prepayments reduce surcharges. Registration duties, publication fees, and local taxes may apply separately.

What are my obligations if I hire employees

You must register as an employer, make Dimona declarations, draft written employment contracts, establish work regulations, join an external prevention service, and take out insurance for workplace accidents. Payroll is usually handled via a social secretariat. Sector collective agreements set minimum wages, working time, and allowances.

Do foreign founders face special requirements

Non EEA self employed may need a professional card. Employees moving to Belgium usually need a single permit. Opening a branch of a foreign company requires filing corporate documents and translations with the Enterprise Court and publishing extracts. Banks will conduct customer due diligence for company accounts. A local address and Dutch language documentation are often required in Flanders.

What ongoing compliance applies after formation

You must keep accounts, issue compliant invoices, file VAT returns and tax returns, pay social security contributions, update the UBO register within a month of changes and confirm annually, file annual accounts for companies, hold annual shareholder meetings, maintain statutory registers, and renew sectoral and municipal permits as needed. Data protection and consumer law may also apply.

Additional Resources

City of Hasselt Entrepreneur Desk for local permits, events, and city taxes. Enterprise Court of Antwerp, Hasselt division for company filings and disputes. Recognized one stop business counters for enterprise registration and VAT activation such as Acerta, Liantis, Xerius, Partena, and Securex. Crossroads Bank for Enterprises for enterprise numbers and activity codes. Federal Public Service Finance for VAT and corporate or personal income tax. National Bank of Belgium Central Balance Sheet Office for filing annual accounts. UBO register administration at the Federal Public Service Finance. Benelux Office for Intellectual Property for trademarks and designs. Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain for food business authorizations. National Social Security Office for employer registration and social security. Social insurance funds for self employed contributions. VLAIO for Flemish subsidies, advice, and innovation support. Voka Limburg chamber for networking and training. LRM for regional investment and support. VDAB for hiring incentives and training.

Next Steps

Define your business model, select a legal form that matches your risk profile and funding plan, and verify whether your activity is regulated. Check zoning and any local restrictions in Hasselt before committing to a lease.

Engage an accountant and a lawyer early. Ask them to help with the financial plan, tax planning, and governance documents. If a notarial deed is required, book a notary in Limburg and prepare identification, draft articles, shareholder details, director appointments, and proof of funds where applicable.

Choose NACEBEL activity codes and prepare information for the business counter registration. Open a dedicated business bank account in the company name. Reserve your brand strategy by checking names and considering a Benelux trademark application.

Register your enterprise, activate VAT, and affiliate with a social insurance fund. Set up accounting software and invoicing that meets Belgian requirements. If you will employ staff, register as an employer, join an external prevention service, and arrange a payroll provider.

Apply for sector specific approvals and municipal permits in Hasselt, including retail, hospitality, signage, terrace, and environmental authorizations where relevant. Put in place mandatory insurances such as workplace accidents for employees and appropriate civil and professional liability coverage.

Create a compliance calendar for VAT and tax filings, social contributions, UBO updates, annual accounts, and license renewals. If you need tailored legal assistance, schedule a consultation with a business lawyer experienced in Belgian company law and Hasselt municipal procedures, and bring your business plan, identification documents, draft contracts, and lease or site information to the meeting.