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New business formation in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe is governed by Belgian federal law and Brussels-Capital Region rules, applied locally by the commune administration. Most structural company law is set by the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations, which defines legal forms, director duties, liability, accounts, and publication requirements. Practical steps such as obtaining a company number, VAT activation, and social security registration are handled through recognized one-stop business counters and federal services. Sectoral permits and certain operating authorizations are regional or communal. Because Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe sits in the bilingual Brussels-Capital Region, documentation can usually be prepared in French or Dutch, and some filings must follow the language chosen for the company.
Common business forms include the sole proprietorship, the SRL - BV limited liability company, the SA - NV public limited company, the SC - CV cooperative, partnerships like VOF - SNC and CommV - SComm, and the ASBL - VZW for non-profit activities. Each form carries different setup steps, costs, liability exposure, accounting duties, and tax outcomes.
A lawyer can help you choose the correct legal form based on risk profile, investors, profit distribution, and exit plans. They can draft or review articles of association, shareholder agreements, founders agreements, and governance rules tailored to Belgian law. For companies that require a notarial deed, a lawyer can coordinate with a notary, prepare the financial plan, and secure required certificates to avoid delays.
Legal help is valuable for regulatory compliance in Brussels-Capital Region, including environmental and urban planning permits, horeca and retail licenses, professional qualifications, signage permissions, and data protection obligations. If you will employ staff, a lawyer can advise on Belgian employment law, work regulations, privacy and surveillance rules, and mandatory policies. Founders with non-EU nationality may need immigration and professional card guidance. Lawyers also assist with tax structuring, director liability, UBO registration, and negotiating leases or commercial contracts governed by Belgian law. If something goes wrong, counsel can mitigate disputes between founders, address insolvency risk, or respond to inspections by authorities.
Legal forms and liability. The SRL - BV is the most common limited liability form for SMEs. There is no fixed minimum capital, but founders must provide adequate initial equity and a robust financial plan. Directors can be held liable if the company is clearly underfunded at inception. The SA - NV suits larger ventures and still requires a higher paid-in capital. Partnerships such as VOF - SNC and CommV - SComm can be formed by private deed but may expose partners to unlimited or joint liability depending on structure. Non-profits use the ASBL - VZW form and have specific purpose and distribution constraints.
Formation mechanics. SRL - BV, SA - NV, and SC - CV require a notarial deed. Cash contributions typically need a bank certificate confirming amounts paid before the deed. The deed is published in the Moniteur belge - Belgisch Staatsblad. All entities and sole traders obtain an enterprise number in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises via a recognized one-stop business counter. VAT activation is requested after registration, usually with form 604A via the tax administration. Most companies must register their ultimate beneficial owners in the UBO register. Opening a Belgian business bank account with an IBAN is standard.
Accounting and filings. Belgian entities file annual accounts with the National Bank of Belgium Central Balance Sheet Office. Micro, small, and large size criteria determine the level of disclosure and whether a statutory auditor is required. As a general guide, micro and small companies benefit from simplified accounting and filing, while larger companies face full audit and reporting obligations. Corporate tax is generally 25 percent, with a reduced rate on the first income slice for qualifying SMEs. VAT registration thresholds, invoicing rules, and periodic filings apply once VAT is activated.
Employment law and social security. Sole traders and company directors must affiliate with a social insurance fund for the self-employed and pay quarterly contributions. Employers must register with the social security office, make Dimona declarations for employees, comply with working time and minimum wage rules, adopt work regulations, and join an external prevention and protection service. Payroll is often managed via a payroll provider.
Regional and communal permits. In Brussels-Capital Region, certain activities require a permis d environnement - environmental permit, categorized by classes that reflect risk. Urban planning rules govern changes to premises, signage, and terraces, which can also require a permis d urbanisme and local commune authorization. Horeca activities can require health and food safety approvals from the federal food safety agency. Retail opening hours, street advertising, and public space use may be subject to municipal taxes or permits. The commune of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe applies these rules locally, so early verification with the commune is recommended.
Regulated professions and sectors. Many professions in Belgium are regulated and require specific qualifications or registrations recognized by the federal economy department or professional bodies. Examples include certain construction trades, accountants, architects, real estate agents, and health professions. Operating without proper recognition can lead to fines and closure.
Language considerations. In Brussels-Capital Region you can generally choose French or Dutch for your company statutes and official filings. Workplace documents, contracts, and communications with authorities must respect the applicable language rules. Customer-facing documents may also have language obligations depending on context.
Immigration and founder status. Non-EU founders who will be self-employed often need a professional card issued by the Brussels-Capital Region and an appropriate residence status. Timing these applications alongside company formation is important to avoid compliance gaps.
The SRL - BV limited liability company is the default for most startups due to its flexibility and no fixed minimum capital requirement. Sole proprietorship is fast and low cost but offers no limited liability. SA - NV suits larger ventures with significant capital and governance needs. Cooperatives use SC - CV when aligning with cooperative principles. Partnerships like VOF - SNC or CommV - SComm are simpler but can involve partner liability.
Yes for SRL - BV, SA - NV, and SC - CV, because they require a notarial deed. VOF - SNC and CommV - SComm can be formed by private deed without a notary. Sole proprietorship does not involve a notary. Even when a notary is not mandatory, legal drafting is recommended.
No fixed statutory minimum. However, founders must provide sufficient initial equity and a credible financial plan. If the company is underfunded at start, directors can face liability if insolvency follows.
Simple sole proprietorships can be active within a few days after BCE registration and VAT activation. An SRL - BV typically takes 1 to 3 weeks, depending on how quickly you provide documents, open a bank account for paid-in funds, schedule the notary, and complete publication and VAT activation.
Companies pay corporate income tax at a standard 25 percent, with a reduced rate for qualifying SMEs on an initial income slice if conditions are met. VAT applies for most activities after activation, with periodic returns. Employers pay social security contributions. Communal or regional taxes can apply for signage, office space, terraces, or advertising. Sole traders pay personal income tax on business profits and social contributions for the self-employed.
It depends on your activity and premises. In Brussels-Capital Region, many activities involving machinery, storage, emissions, waste, or hospitality require an environmental permit. Fit-outs, signage, and changes to use can require an urban planning permit and commune approval. Check early with the commune of Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe and Brussels environment authorities.
You register via a recognized one-stop business counter to obtain your enterprise number in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises. VAT activation is then requested with the tax administration, often facilitated by the business counter or your accountant. After activation, the VAT number is your enterprise number with a VAT prefix.
The UBO register records the ultimate beneficial owners of companies and non-profits. Most companies must identify and file their UBOs within a short time after formation and keep the information up to date. Non-compliance can trigger fines.
Micro and many small companies do not require a statutory auditor. An auditor becomes mandatory when size thresholds are exceeded or for specific company types or operations. Even without a statutory obligation, some investors or lenders may request an external review.
Yes, but additional immigration steps apply. Self-employed non-EU nationals typically need a professional card from the Brussels-Capital Region and the right residence status. Timing and documentation are important. Legal and immigration advice is recommended before committing to leases or payroll.
Recognized one-stop business counters in Belgium can perform BCE registration, check professional access requirements, and help with VAT activation and social insurance registration.
Crossroads Bank for Enterprises manages enterprise numbers and basic company data.
Moniteur belge - Belgisch Staatsblad publishes company deeds and legal notices.
Federal Public Service Economy provides rules on regulated professions and business practices.
Federal Public Service Finance handles VAT activation, corporate tax, and e-filing services.
INASTI - RSVZ and social insurance funds manage social contributions for the self-employed.
ONSS - RSZ and payroll providers support employer social security registrations and declarations.
National Bank of Belgium Central Balance Sheet Office receives annual accounts.
Brussels-Capital Region bodies include Brussels Environment for environmental permits and the regional urban planning authority for building and use permits.
Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe commune administration provides local permits and municipal tax information for signage, terraces, and retail operations.
Food and hospitality operators can consult the federal food safety agency for horeca approvals.
Fednot and local notaries advise on notarial deeds and corporate formations.
Entrepreneur support services in Brussels, including regional information desks such as 1819 and hub.brussels, provide guidance and orientation.
Clarify your business model, founders, funding, and risk tolerance to choose the right legal form. Prepare a realistic financial plan covering at least two years, including startup costs, working capital, revenue projections, and break-even analysis. For an SRL - BV, this plan is critical and must be provided to the notary.
Engage a lawyer and an accountant early. Ask for a scope that includes form selection, articles and shareholder agreements, permit mapping, and tax setup. If a notarial deed is required, your lawyer can coordinate with the notary, bank, and business counter for a smooth timeline.
Check regulatory requirements specific to Brussels-Capital Region and the commune. Identify whether you need an environmental permit, urban planning authorization, signage permission, or sectoral approvals. If you plan to employ staff, start payroll and social security registrations and draft work regulations before hiring.
Gather documents in advance. Typical items include founder IDs and proof of address, draft articles, a bank certificate for paid-in funds when applicable, proof of professional qualifications where required, lease or property documents for your premises, and immigration documents for non-EU founders.
Budget for costs. Formation costs can include notary fees, publication charges, business counter fees, professional advice, initial permits, and deposits for premises. Account for ongoing costs such as accounting, payroll, social contributions, insurance, and municipal taxes.
Coordinate registrations. Sequence the steps so that bank account setup, notary meeting, BCE registration, VAT activation, UBO filing, social insurance affiliation, and any permit applications follow logically. Keep confirmations and deadlines organized to avoid penalties.
This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. For personalized assistance in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre - Sint-Pieters-Woluwe, consult a Belgian business lawyer or notary who can assess your situation and represent you before the relevant authorities.
