Domiciling a foreign company in Belgium: a practical guide

Belgium, gateway to the European market

At the heart of Europe, Belgium attracts foreign companies wanting access to the EU market. Building a local presence often begins with a credible Belgian address — and domiciliation is the simplest and most economical way to obtain one.

Why a Belgian address?

• Credibility: a local address reassures Belgian clients, suppliers and banks.
• Practical requirement: a Belgian branch or subsidiary needs a seat in Belgium.
• Access to formalities: registration with the CBE, a Belgian VAT number, opening a bank account.
• Proximity: a point of contact in the country, without renting an office from day one.

Branch or subsidiary?

Two main options for setting up:

• The branch: an extension of your foreign company, without separate legal personality. It must be registered with the CBE and published in the Belgian Gazette.
• The subsidiary: a Belgian company (often an SRL/BV) owned by the parent, with its own legal personality. It is created like any Belgian company.

In both cases, a registered office address in Belgium is required — this is where domiciliation comes in.

The key steps

An accountant or an approved business counter (guichet d'entreprises) can help with the formalities; the domiciliation center provides the address and handles your official mail.

The key role of domiciliation

For a foreign company, domiciliation brings three essentials: a stable, credible address, reliable reception of official mail (administration, CBE, VAT) — often with scanning for remote follow-up — and à la carte services (meeting rooms during your visits, phone answering).

Find your setup address

Domiciliation Belgique brings together centers able to host a foreign company, in Brussels and across the country. Compare by location, services (scanning, reception) and budget.

Setting up your company in Belgium? Compare domiciliation addresses on Domiciliation Belgique.