The company number is a bit like an individual’s national registration number. It is assigned at the 'birth' of a company and remains the same for its lifetime. You also have to state this number on all your official business documents.

You will be assigned a company number when you register your company with ‘the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises’ (CBE) database. Registration can very easily be arranged through UNIZO or Liantis.

You should bring the following with you:

• When registering with the CBE, you must have your ID card to prove you are a Belgian national
• If you are applying for a company number for the construction sector, you must have a professional knowledge certificate and also be able to demonstrate this knowledge (applies to electricians, plasterers, joiners, etc.)

The procedure for obtaining a company number when setting up a company is not the same as when setting up a sole-trader business. For a sole trader, you follow the procedure set out above.

• For a company, you obtain the company number through the clerk's office at the commercial court where you deposit the deed of incorporation
  
• The commercial court also arranges registration with the CBE
  
• The only thing you then have to do is go to the CBE in person to complete the details
  

A company number is not suffice if you are liable to VAT. In that case, you must activate the company number as a VAT number either at your local VAT inspection office or through UNIZO or Liantis.

Last published on: 08-06-2022