Definitions of Types of Activities and Obligations Regarding the Registration of Activities of Establishment Units

Activities carried out within or from an establishment unit must be registered in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises.

These activities are registered using a NACE-BEL code, which specifies the type of activity, the date on which the activity began and, if applicable, the date on which it ended.

Below, you will find a set of definitions and instructions regarding the registration of establishment unit activities.

All establishment unit activities must be registered, with the exception of:

• NSSO activities
• Subsidised education activities
• Public office activities.

What Is an Establishment Unit?

An establishment unit is any place of business, geographically identifiable by an address in Belgium, where at least one activity of the registered entity (entity) is exercised or from which it is exercised (Art. I.2, 16° of the Code of Economic Law). Examples: shop, workshop, factory, office, etc.

What Is an Activity?

An activity is any "economic activity", i.e. any activity consisting of offering goods or services on a given market.

What Is Meant by Exercised Activity?

Exercised activities are activities that generate turnover or activities that the entrepreneur can prove he is able to carry out immediately (promotion, presence of the necessary materials and/or raw materials, information available on the website, etc.).

For start-ups, exercised activities are activities that the entrepreneur can prove he is able to carry out immediately, at the time of the start-up of his business (inclusion in the business plan, promotion, presence of the necessary materials and/or raw materials, information available on the website, etc.).

What Are the Different Types of Activities and their Definitions?

There are different types of activities: main, secondary and auxiliary activities. The terms will be clarified by new definitions that will apply from 28 March 2025: 

The main activity is the activity that results in the production of goods or the provision of services likely to be used by third parties and is determined by:

• The highest (estimated) annual turnover
• The largest number of (estimated) full-time equivalents
• Any other criterion determined by the entity/entrepreneur

The entrepreneur who chooses another criterion has the burden of proof.

At least one and up to five main activities must be registered per establishment unit.

A secondary activity is any activity of the establishment unit other than the main activity, leading to the production of goods or the provision of services for third party use.

An auxiliary activity is any activity that supports the main and/or secondary activities.

Following the redefinition of the types of activities, auxiliary activities are no longer considered economic activities. Consequently, they no longer need to be registered in the CBE from 28 March 2025.

On the same date, CBE applications will be updated to integrate controls related to those definitions.

What Do I Need to Do to Register the Activities of my Establishment Unit?

1. All economic activities carried out within or from an establishment unit must be registered and updated with the CBE. This means that you should:
   • Register the activities carried out before you start
   • Update the necessary data, i.e:
     • Remove activities that are no longer being carried out;
     • Change the type of activity (e.g. if the main activity becomes secondary activity or vice versa)
     • Correct incorrect data related to registered activities (start and/or end date of activity, NACE-BEL activity code and type of activity)

        

2. Only activities that are actually performed should be listed, not all activities that the entity plans to perform or would like to perform. If necessary, you should therefore stop registered activities on their start date when they are not actually carried out and have never been carried out.

    

3. Only economic activities should be registered in the CBE. Therefore auxiliary activities no longer need to be registered.

   The Management Service of the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises will contact each entity with auxiliary activities listed in the CBE before making the following adjustments:

   • If the establishment unit includes (active) activities other than auxiliary activities:
     • Either the (active) auxiliary activities entered for the establishment unit will be cancelled,
     • Or the type of (auxiliary) activity will be corrected to "main activity" or "secondary activity".
   • If the establishment unit includes no activity other than the auxiliary activity:
     • Either the activity type is corrected to "main activity"
     • Or "secondary activity", or the activity code and activity type are corrected to enter the (main or secondary) activity supported by the auxiliary activity.

        

4. At least one main activity must be entered for the establishment unit, with a maximum of five main activities. Therefore, you should make the necessary corrections/adjustments to comply with the minimum and maximum limits.

How Do I Update my Data?

To update your registered activities, contact a business counter of your choice. Updates may include:

• Removing activities that were never carried out
• Stopping activities that are no longer carried out
• Adjusting or changing the type of activity
• …

The business counter will make these changes free of charge, provided that they are requested at the same time as the modification of other data of the establishment unit (for example a change of address or contact details) for which a charge applies.

If you are a non-profit or non-commercial private law company, you can also make the adjustments via the "My Enterprise" application.

To access all the data registered with the CBE regarding your entity and its establishment units, simply access your file online via the "My Enterprise" application. You will find all information about My Enterprise on the FPS Economy CBE-My Enterprise webpage.

Why Do I Need to Update my Data in the CBE?

Your data in the CBE are your entity's identity card. They need to be all the more correct because the general public (public authorities, citizens, businesses, consumers, etc.) can access your information and consult it at any time on the Public Search website.

Incorrect, missing or outdated information could, for example, mislead a consumer looking for a company or contractor for work on their home. It is therefore important that your CBE registration contains accurate and up-to-date information.