Belgium

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Operating a Business in Belgium

Setting up a company | Working conditions | Cost of labor | Social partners

Setting up a company

Legal business entities

Types of companies and capital (max/min)	Number of partners/shareholders and liability	Registration fees
Besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid (BVBA) is a Private Limited Company. 18,550 € entirely subscribed and released up to minimum 6,200 €.	Minimum 2 partners : 1 person for the sole proprietorship. Partners' liability is limited to the amount contributed.	Fixed registration fee of EUR 25 + publication costs EUR 214.53 + notary fees around EUR 900 + registration fee EUR 73 + VAT registration EUR 50.
Naamloze vennootschap (NV) is a Public Limited Company. 61,500 € totally subscribed and released.	Minimum 2 shareholders. Partners' liability is limited to the amount contributed.	Fixed registration fee of EUR 25 + publication costs EUR 214.53 + notary fees around EUR 900 + registration fee EUR 73 + VAT registration EUR 50.
Vennootschap Onder Firma (VO) is a general partnership. No minimum capital.	Minimum 2 partners. Partners' liability is joint and several.	Fixed registration fee of EUR 25 + publication costs EUR 214.53 + notary fees around EUR 900 + registration fee EUR 73 + VAT registration EUR 50.
Commanditaire Vernootschap (CV) is a limited partnership. No minimum capital.	Two types of partners: active partners and sleeping partners. Active partners' liability is joint and several, while the sleeping partners are liable for debts until the amount of the sum contributed.	Fixed registration fee of EUR 25 + publication costs EUR 214.53 + notary fees around EUR 900 + registration fee EUR 73 + VAT registration EUR 50.
The co-operative company (SC) with unlimited and joint liability (SCRIS) or gathers a group of companies. No minimum capital.	Maximum 3 partners. Partners' liability is joint and unlimited on their whole personal assets.	Fixed registration fee of EUR 25 + publication costs EUR 214.53 + notary fees around EUR 900 + registration fee EUR 73 + VAT registration EUR 50.
The co-operative company with limited liability (SCRL) is similar to the BVBA / SPRL. 18 550 € released up to BEF 6 200 €.	Maximum 3 partners. Partners' liability is limited to the amount contributed.	Fixed registration fee of EUR 25 + publication costs EUR 214.53 + notary fees around EUR 900 + registration fee EUR 73 + VAT registration EUR 50.

Business setup procedures: Belgium has simplified start-up procedures so much that it is now the European leader in terms of how long it takes to set up a new business. The time you need to complete the administrative formalities to set up your business in Belgium has been slashed from 56 days to just 3 days. More information on Invest Belgium.
The competent organization: The bank, the notary and the business one-stop shop.

Working conditions

Legal weekly duration: 35, 38 or 39 hours
Retirement age: 65
Working contracts: There are several types of employment contract commonly used in Belgium. There are different contracts for manual workers and white-collar workers. In addition, separate contracts exist for domestic workers, student workers, professional sports people and home workers. More info on Angloinfo.

Cost of labor

Minimum wage: 1 163 euros
Average wage: Average monthly gross earnings in Belgium is EUR 2,703.
Social contributions: Social security contributions paid by employers: The social security system is financed by contributions from employees and employers and subsidies from the state. The amounts are calculated based on the gross salary (basic salary plus bonuses, benefits in kind an so forth) and are paid to the National Office of Social Security (ONSS/RSZ). Employees contributions finance approximately 13% of the social security system. Employers' contributions account for over 34%.
Social security contributions paid by employees: Employees' contributions finance approximately 13% of the social security system.

Social partners

Unions: Syndicat Liberal
Algemeen Christelijk Vakverbond / Confédération des Syndicats Chrétiens -
Nationale Bondsstaat van de Kaders / Confédération Nationale des Cadres -
Algemeen Belgisch Vakverbond / Fédération Générale du Travail de Belgique
Unionization rate: 60%
Labor regulation bodies: Federal Public Service Employment, Labor and Social Dialogue
Federation of Belgian companies

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