Accredited business counters

The business counter is the main point of contact for companies. It carries out many tasks for which companies previously had to call  on several bodies.

As well as compulsory administrative formalities, the business counter can offer a wide range of additional services.

There are eight accredited business counters. These have many offices located throughout the country.

Tasks

Business counters perform the following tasks:

• registration of businesses subject to registration in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE);
• allowing companies to complete the related formalities for accessing the profession and completing the necessary permits to exercise their activities;
• verifying the obligations and conditions relating to the following authorisations:
  • entrepreneurial skills, i.e. proof of knowledge of basic management and professional (inter)sectoral skills for specific activities;
  • authorisation for an itinerant trade;
  • authorisation for fairground activities;
  • professional identity card for foreign nationals.
• Distributing extracts from the CBE;
• collecting duties due for administrative processing on behalf of the Treasury;
• registering data relating to property management companies for co-ownership associations with the CBE;
• ensuring  companies receive information regarding:
  • the procedures and formalities to be followed to start their activities;
  • the contact details of the competent authorities;
  • the methods and conditions for accessing public registers and databases about service providers and services;
  • the available actions in the event of disputes;
  • the contact details of associations or organisations from which companies are likely to obtain practical assistance.

The business counters ensure that certain data can be accessed free of charge by the public for the administrative services:

• of the State;
• of the communities;
• of the regions;
• of the provinces, cities and municipalities;
• potentially many other institutions and organisations designated by the King.

They store records. Business counters cannot under any circumstances sell the data collected during the execution of their legal responsibilities.

Additional services offered by the business counters

As well as verifying entrepreneurial capacities and registering companies with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, the business counter can also complete certain administrative formalities for entrepreneurs, such as registering them for VAT or with the National Social Security Office (NSSO). They can request various authorisations (FASFC, SABAM, etc.).

The business counters also offer other services such as:

• affiliation to a social insurance fund for self-employed workers (each business counter has a related social insurance fund);
• affiliation to a related social secretariat;
• completing application files for subsidies;
• training;
• support during the first months of activity, etc.

For these additional services, business counters are free to set their own rates.

However, business counters are not authorised to process certain requests that are allocated by law to certain liberal and intellectual professions and service providers in the economic sector.

Steps to take at the accredited business counters

All business subject to registration are required to go to a business counter before starting operations. The business or its representative should contact the accredited business counter of its choice. There are two ways to do this:

• online (visit the website)
• by visiting one of the offices (use the engine).

The business counter you contact will explain all the steps you need to take, and tell you what authorisations your business needs, depending on the activities it intends to carry out.

The business counter will register the business with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises.

In addition to mandatory the steps that must be carried out at a business counter, the counter can also offer to activate your enterprise number with the VAT administration or register you as an employer with the National Social Security Office (NSSO).

To complete the required steps with the accredited business counter before launching your business activities, please bring the following items with you:

• your ID
• your business's enterprise number, if you already have one 
• identification data of the founders, representatives, authorised signatories, active partners and assistants of your business
• the different addresses, if any, of your business's registered office and its various establishment units in Belgium
• the authorisations, licenses and approvals your business holds for the activities it intends to carry out
• your business's bank account number
   

In order to facilitate the process, it's important that you have a clear idea of the activities you intend to carry out with your business, and when you want to start carrying out these activities.

Appeals against decisions taken by accredited business counters

As part of the mandatory administrative steps you have to go through at an accredited business counter, if the counter refuses to carry out the requested registration for your business, you can appeal to the Council of State, unless the refusal is based on the proof of entrepreneurial skills. In this case, you can lodge an appeal with the Conseil d'Etablissement of the region where your business is based. The business counter must mention this option to appeal in the refusal decision.

The request for this appeal should be sent to the registry of the Council of State, Rue de la Science 33, 1040 Brussels, either by registered post or following the electronic procedure. If sent by post, the original request must always be accompanied by three certified copies, plus one for each opposing party. Appeals for annulment must be lodged within a relatively short period of sixty days after publication, notification or being made aware of the decision.

List of accredited business counters

There are 8 accredited business counters.

Offices of the accredited business counters

Each business counter has offices throughout Belgium. Click on the button "Find a business counter" below to search for their contact details and opening times:

Find a Business counter

Accreditation of business counters

Accreditation is awarded or refused by the Minister responsible for the Middle Classes; the accreditation is valid for 5 years and can be renewed.

The Minister can automatically withdraw or suspend accreditation, if the business counter does not comply with the legal and regulatory conditions. The Federal Public Service Economy, SMEs, Self-employed and Energy is responsible for inspecting and monitoring the business counters.

The specifications for business counters (PDF, 1.04 MB) contains an overview of conditions and obligations, specifically as regards:

• Accreditation;
• Equipment;
• Employees;
• Financial obligations;
• Accessibility;
• The accreditation package.