Belgium: European Crossroads with Multinational Heritage

Belgium, situated at the heart of Western Europe, hosts major EU institutions and serves as headquarters for numerous multinationals. The country's central location and multilingual workforce support sophisticated company registration and business setup for European operations.

Living in Belgium

With 11.5 million people, Belgium offers cosmopolitan living in a compact country. Three official languages—Dutch, French, and German—reflect regional diversity. Brussels, the de facto EU capital, provides international amenities and extensive expatriate services.

Healthcare is excellent through mandatory social insurance. The climate is temperate maritime with frequent rain. Safety is generally good, though Brussels has faced security concerns. Belgian cuisine, including chocolate, beer, and frites, contributes to quality of life.

The central location enables easy travel throughout Europe. Cost of living is moderate for Western Europe, with Brussels more expensive than Flemish or Walloon cities.

Doing Business in Belgium

Corporate tax rate stands at 25%, with lower rates for smaller companies. Personal income tax reaches 50% plus municipal surcharge. VAT applies at 21% standard rate. The tax burden is substantial, offset by extensive investment incentives and the notional interest deduction on equity.

Belgium's position hosting EU institutions brings institutional knowledge and access to policy development. The extensive treaty network and participation in EU directives provides planning opportunities. Holding company regimes offer participation exemptions on qualifying dividends and capital gains.

Company Formation and Registration

Company registration requires notarial involvement for most structures. The BV/SRL (private limited company) is the standard vehicle following recent corporate law reforms. Foreign ownership faces no restrictions.

Company formation takes 1-2 weeks with proper preparation. Minimum capital requirements are flexible under new rules. At least one director is required, who need not be Belgian. Annual accounts must be filed with the National Bank, with audit requirements for larger companies.

Crypto License Opportunities

Belgium's Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) oversees financial services including crypto assets where they constitute financial instruments. Registration requirements apply to virtual asset service providers under AML frameworks.

The approach implements EU directives while the comprehensive MiCA regulation development will further harmonize requirements. Belgian crypto businesses benefit from EU passporting potential upon regulatory alignment.

Gambling License Framework

The Gaming Commission regulates gambling through a licensing system covering casinos, gaming arcades, betting shops, and online operations. Online gambling license holders must maintain Belgian servers and offer responsible gambling measures.

The regulated market requires substantial compliance investment but provides access to a sophisticated consumer market. Belgium actively enforces against unlicensed operators.

Considerations

Tax and social security costs are high, making Belgium less attractive for cost-sensitive operations. Linguistic complexity requires navigation between Dutch and French-speaking regions. Administrative processes can be bureaucratic.

Banking access is excellent within the Eurozone. Professional services are sophisticated, particularly for multinational operations. The location advantages and EU institutional presence offset cost considerations for appropriate businesses.

Belgium suits multinational headquarters, EU-focused operations, and businesses seeking central European positioning for their business setup.