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The business counter is the central point of contact for completing all the administrative formalities when launching your business.
It takes care of registration with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE). Once you have registered, your business becomes officially recognised by the Belgian authorities.
When Should I Contact a Business Counter?
Are you setting up your business as a sole proprietorship? Then your first step should be to visit an accredited business counter.
Are you setting up a company? Before contacting the business counter, you must:
- go to a notary to draw up the deed of incorporation and articles of association for your company;
- file these documents with the registry of the enterprise court (electronically or physically).
You can then finalise your registration with the CBE via a business counter.
Which Formalities do I Need to Complete at a Business Counter?
Business counters help you complete several mandatory formalities:
- checking whether you meet certain legal requirements;
- carrying out your (mandatory) registration with the CBE;
- completing certain administrative formalities on your behalf, for example:
- activating your enterprise number with the VAT administration,
- registering you as an employer with the National Social Security Office (NSSO),
- applying for specific authorisations to the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC), the Belgian Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers (SABAM), etc.
Business counters can also offer other complementary services, such as:
- affiliation to a social insurance fund for the self-employed (each business counter has an associated social insurance fund);
- affiliation to an associated social secretariat;
- advice on setting up your project;
- preparation of subsidy application dossiers;
For these additional services, the counters are free to set their own rates.
See also the page on the “accredited business counter” for more information about their roles.
Which Enterprise Counter Should I Choose?
Currently, there are eight accredited business counters with around 140 offices all over Belgium.
You are free to choose any business counter, regardless of the location of your business.
You can contact accredited business counters:
- online (see the list of counters below)
- on site, at one of their offices (use the search engine).
Registration with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises
The Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE) is a database containing all basic identification data of enterprises and their establishment units (places where these enterprises carry out their activities, such as shops, offices or workshops).
For further information, please also refer to the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises section.
Why Do I Have to Register?
Whether you operate as a natural person or as a company, registration with the CBE is mandatory. This registration is carried out at a business counter.
Once you are registered, you will be given a unique enterprise number. This number is essential because it allows you to:
- communicate easily with public administrations;
- issue your first invoices;
- activate your VAT number (if you are subject to VAT);
- promote your business.
Business counters also record other information: your activities, your establishment units, your bank account number.
Registering the Company's Economic Activities in the CBE
To register your company's activities in the CBE, the business counters use NACE codes.
These are digital identifiers derived from a classification of economic activities within the European Union.
NACE codes are essential because they determine your obligations as an entrepreneur and the support you are entitled to.
Business counters may encounter interpretation problems when selecting NACE codes for certain specific activities. In that case, they contact the FPS Economy, which gives them advice on the NACE codes to be applied.
You can
- consult the list of activities for which the FPS Economy has issued advice (PDF, 113.74 Ko)
- carry out a search using the NACE code search module.
Updating Data in the CBE
In case your situation changes (e.g. change of address or telephone number, addition of a new activity, etc.), you must update your details within one month.
You can make these changes:
- via a business counter
- or, in certain cases, via the "My Enterprise" application, 24 hours a day and free of charge.
Please refer to the section “How do you update the data of your entity?” on the My Enterprise page.
Cost of Registering with the CBE
When this operation is not free of charge, the cost of registration is 111.50 euros, including one establishment unit, plus 111.50 euros for each additional establishment unit. These are the prices applicable at the beginning of 2026. They are indexed annually.
Appeals Against Decisions Made by Business Counters
Business counters may refuse to register your business:
- if the conditions for access to the profession are not met;
- if a required document is missing.
The business counter must always substantiate such refusals.
In the event of a refusal, you may submit:
- a new application that meets the required conditions; or
- an appeal to the competent region if the refusal is based on a lack of the skills required to access the profession.
If a business counter refuses to register your business for other reasons mentioned above, you may file an appeal with the Council of State.
You must submit this appeal request to the registry of the Council of State:
- by registered mail at the following address:
Council of State - Conseil d’État
Rue de la Science 33
1040 Brussels - via the electronic procedure.
Please enclose three certified true copies with the original request, plus one copy for each opposing party, when sending by post.
You must file your appeal within 60 days of the publication, notification or acknowledgement of the decision.
