The two forms differ in capital requirements, governance obligations and the flexibility of share transfers. Which one suits an international group, and what the heavier form buys.
- Mandatory electronic invoicing
- Reporting consistency
- What is the difference between a BV/SRL and an NV/SA?
Operating in Belgium requires coordination across a federal tax and social security framework and a regionally fragmented immigration system, where salary thresholds for non-EU hires differ by region and are updated on independent schedules.
The regional fragmentation of Belgium's work permit system is frequently underestimated by companies that treat Belgium as a single labour market. A salary that clears the Brussels threshold may fall short in Wallonia, and vice versa — the correct region-specific figure must be confirmed before any non-EU offer is finalised.
What it takes to incorporate in Belgium. Every figure below is published on the Belgium country page.
| Belgium | |
|---|---|
| Company registry | Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (KBO/BCE), via notarial deed for an NV/SA |
| Incorporation timeline | 1–3 weeks |
| VAT reduced rates | 12% and 6% (12% for accommodation/catering shifting to some 12% items from March 2026) |
| Accounting standard | Belgian GAAP under the Code for Companies and Associations |
| Annual accounts filing | Annual accounts filed with the National Bank of Belgium within 7 months of year-end (30 days after approval) |
What makes it complex in Belgium
- Mandatory electronic invoicing — for B2B transactions between Belgian-established parties, effective 2026.
- Reporting consistency — between Belgian statutory accounts and group-level requirements.
What is the difference between a BV/SRL and an NV/SA?
A BV/SRL has no statutory minimum capital requirement and suits most operating subsidiaries. An NV/SA requires €61,500 in capital and a more formal governance structure, typically used for larger companies or those seeking to raise capital publicly.
Mandatory electronic invoicing is one of the points HTLC Network handles for clients operating in Belgium, within a single engagement that covers every other country they operate in — executed locally, governed centrally.
In Belgium the scope is: BV/SRL and NV/SA incorporation, notarial deed where required, and post-formation compliance setup across all three regions.
See Company Formation & Entity Setup in Belgium for the full scope, or the Belgium country page for the statutory framework across every service.
Figures as published on the HTLC Network country pages, reviewed September 2026 and collected from public sources. They are not a substitute for advice on a specific case and should be verified before being relied on.