Starting a Business in Belgium as a Foreigner: Required Translations

Belgium is one of Europe's most attractive destinations for setting up a business: competitive taxation, a central geographic location and direct access to the European market. For a foreign national, however, the process involves mandatory sworn translations that, if not planned for in advance, can delay your launch by several weeks. This guide explains exactly what to have translated, when, and how much it costs.

Foreign documents that must be translated to incorporate a company in Belgium

When incorporating a company in Belgium by a non-Belgian national or through a foreign company, several documents must be translated into French, Dutch or German (depending on the region of establishment) by a sworn translator.

For a foreign individual founder or shareholder

• Identity document or passport if issued in a non-Latin alphabet (Arabic, Cyrillic, Chinese, Korean, etc.)
• Birth certificate: often required by the notary to draw up the authentic deed of incorporation
• Criminal record extract from the country of origin if you practise a regulated profession or hold a director position
• Foreign proof of address if you are not yet registered in the Belgian population register

For a foreign parent company (Belgian subsidiary)

• Articles of association of the foreign parent company: mandatory for notarial deeds and registration with the CBE (Crossroads Bank for Enterprises)
• Extract from the foreign commercial register (equivalent of the UBO register or official gazette depending on the country)
• Power of attorney if the legal representative is acting on behalf of the parent company: must be translated and sometimes apostilled
• Board of directors resolutions authorising the incorporation of the subsidiary
• Annual accounts if required for a contribution in kind or due diligence

The CBE (Crossroads Bank for Enterprises): what it requires

Every company in Belgium must be registered with the CBE before it can operate. For foreign companies (branches or subsidiaries), the CBE requires that all incorporation documents submitted are either drafted in a national language or accompanied by a certified true translation.

In practice, the clerk's office of the Business Court verifies the compliance of the documents. A non-sworn translation or one produced by an unrecognised professional will be refused, which can block your registration for several weeks. For contracts and company articles, our B2B legal translation service is at your disposal.

Belgian VAT number and NSSO registration: timelines to factor in

Once the company is incorporated, you will need to obtain a VAT number (through the FPS Finance) and potentially register with the NSSO if you employ staff. These procedures sometimes require additional translated documents, in particular:

• Foreign VAT number of the head office if you are VAT-registered in another EU country (OSS scheme or VAT refund)
• Foreign registration forms if you are applying for an exemption or a special scheme based on your foreign status

Full process and timelines for a foreigner setting up a company in Belgium

Translation costs for company incorporation

The translation budget for a company incorporation varies depending on the number of foreign founders and the complexity of the documents provided. Here are the practical price ranges:

• Foreign company articles of association (5-15 pages): 200 - 500 € depending on the language and complexity
• Notarial power of attorney (2-4 pages): 80 - 180 €
• Board of directors resolution (1-3 pages): 60 - 150 €
• Commercial register extract (1-2 pages): 40 - 90 €
• Complete file (founder + parent company): 400 - 1,200 € depending on volume and languages

All these rates are net and without surprises at TranslateBE. The quote is immediate and the price is fixed upon confirmation.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can a company be incorporated in Belgium without speaking French or Dutch?

Yes. Belgium does not require founders to be fluent in a national language. Notarial deeds can be drawn up with a sworn interpreter. The incorporation documents must be in a national language or accompanied by a sworn translation, but the founders themselves may be assisted by an interpreter.

Is a sworn or a certified translation required for the CBE?

For documents submitted to the notary and the Business Court clerk's office, a sworn translation is generally required. For documents presented to private partners (banks, investors), a certified translation may suffice. If in doubt, go with the sworn translation: it is accepted in all cases.

Can TranslateBE coordinate the apostille of foreign articles of association?

We advise you on the apostille procedure and carry out the sworn translation. The administrative steps with the FPS Foreign Affairs or the foreign authority remain your responsibility, but our team guides you through each stage to avoid any errors.