Starting a Business in Brussels as an Expat: Your Complete Address & Domiciliation Guide
Brussels is one of Europe's most international cities. Home to the European Union institutions, NATO headquarters, and thousands of international organisations, it attracts ambitious professionals from every corner of the globe. Many expats living in Brussels eventually decide to start their own business here — and for good reason. The city offers a unique combination of geographic centrality, multilingual talent, and access to the world's largest single market. But one of the very first practical challenges every expat entrepreneur faces is deceptively simple: where do you register your company's address? In Belgium, every company must have an official registered office — called the siège social — and this address appears on all your legal documents, tax filings, and public records. This guide explains everything you need to know about business domiciliation in Brussels as an expat, step by step.
Why start a business in Brussels?
Brussels occupies a unique position in the European business landscape. As the de facto capital of the European Union and the seat of numerous international institutions, it offers unparalleled access to decision-makers, regulatory bodies, and a vast professional network. The city sits at the crossroads of Western Europe, with London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt all reachable within a few hours by train or plane. For expat entrepreneurs, the advantages are compelling. Brussels is genuinely multilingual: French and Dutch are the official languages, but English is widely spoken in business, especially in the European quarter and among the international community. This means you can operate your company in English from day one, while gradually building your network in French or Dutch. The Belgian market itself provides a gateway to over 450 million consumers across the European Union. Certain company structures benefit from a competitive tax regime, and the startup ecosystem is thriving — with incubators, accelerators, and co-working spaces specifically designed for international founders. Add to this a diverse, highly educated talent pool drawn from across the continent, and Brussels becomes one of the most attractive places in Europe to launch a new venture.
What is domiciliation — and why does it matter for expats?
If you are new to Belgium, the concept of domiciliation may be unfamiliar. In simple terms, domiciliation means renting a professional registered address for your company — your siège social — without renting an actual office. Every company registered in Belgium must have a siège social, and this address appears on your articles of association, your invoices, your BCE (Crossroads Bank for Enterprises) registration, and all official correspondence. For expats, domiciliation solves several problems at once. You may not yet have a permanent address in Belgium, or your home address may not be suitable for business registration. You might work remotely, travel frequently, or simply not need a physical office yet. Domiciliation gives you a legitimate, professional Brussels address from which to operate — without the cost and commitment of a traditional office lease. It is the most flexible and cost-effective way to establish your company's legal presence in Belgium.
Five steps to register your company in Brussels as an expat
Setting up a company in Belgium as an expat is straightforward, provided you follow the right steps in the right order. Here is the process from start to finish:
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1. Choose your company structure
The most common legal form for expat entrepreneurs in Belgium is the SRL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée), known in Dutch as the BV (Besloten Vennootschap). The SRL offers limited liability, requires a minimum capital contribution determined by a financial plan rather than a fixed statutory amount, and is suitable for a wide range of activities — from consulting and technology to e-commerce and creative services. Other structures exist (SA, SNC, sole proprietorship), but the SRL is by far the most popular choice for international founders starting their first Belgian company. Consult an accountant or legal adviser to confirm which structure best fits your situation.
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2. Find a domiciliation provider
Your company needs an official registered address in Belgium before it can be incorporated. A domiciliation provider supplies this address and handles your official mail. Critically, the provider must be registered with the SPF Economy (Federal Public Service Economy) — this is a legal requirement, not a nice-to-have. An unregistered provider puts your company at risk of sanctions and legal complications. When choosing a provider, look for SPF Economy registration, transparent pricing, a physical location you can visit, and experience working with international clients. Office Factory, located on the Chaussée d'Alsemberg in Uccle, is a registered provider with over 35 years of experience serving a multilingual client base.
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3. Sign the domiciliation agreement and set up your address
Once you have chosen your provider, you will sign a domiciliation agreement (convention de domiciliation). This is the legal contract that formalises the arrangement: it specifies the address, the services included, the duration, and the obligations of both parties. Belgian law requires this agreement to be in writing and to be retained by both the company and the provider. After signing, your registered address is ready to be used for the incorporation of your company. Office Factory handles the entire process efficiently, guiding international clients through every step — in English, French, or Dutch.
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4. Register your company at the BCE via an enterprise counter
With your domiciliation agreement in place and your articles of association drafted (usually by a notary), you can proceed to register your company with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (BCE/KBO). This is done through an accredited enterprise counter (guichet d'entreprises agréé), which will assign your company a unique enterprise number and activate your VAT registration. The enterprise counter handles the administrative formalities and ensures that your registered address is correctly recorded. Registration fees at the BCE are approximately €90.00.
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5. Open a Belgian business bank account
To complete the incorporation process, you need to open a Belgian business bank account. Banks will require your company's registered address, enterprise number, and articles of association. Having a professional Brussels address — rather than a foreign or residential one — significantly simplifies the bank account opening process. Some Belgian banks have specific programmes for international entrepreneurs, so shop around for the best fit. Once your bank account is active, your company is fully operational.
How much does it cost to get started?
One of the biggest advantages of domiciliation is the cost saving compared to renting a traditional office. At Office Factory, domiciliation starts from €79.00 per month — giving you a professional registered address, mail handling, and full legal compliance. By comparison, renting even a modest office space in Brussels typically costs between €500.00 and €2,000.00 per month, plus utilities, insurance, and maintenance. Beyond domiciliation, the main startup costs for incorporating an SRL in Belgium include notary fees (typically between €750.00 and €1,500.00 for drafting the articles of association and the deed of incorporation), BCE registration (approximately €90.00), and accountant fees for the financial plan. Altogether, domiciliation is the most cost-effective way to establish a legal presence in Brussels — especially for expats who do not yet need a physical workspace.
Legal considerations for expat entrepreneurs
For EU citizens, starting a business in Belgium is straightforward thanks to the freedom of establishment guaranteed by EU treaties. You have the right to set up a company under the same conditions as Belgian nationals, with no additional permits required for most activities. Non-EU citizens may need to obtain a professional card (carte professionnelle) before engaging in self-employed activities in Belgium, depending on their nationality and the nature of their business. The application is submitted through an accredited enterprise counter and assessed by the relevant regional authority. Regardless of nationality, your company must have a Belgian registered office to be inscribed in the BCE. The domiciliation provider must be registered with the SPF Economy, ensuring full compliance with Belgian regulations. At Office Factory, we work with international clients every day — in English, French, and Dutch — and our team is experienced in guiding expats through the administrative process from start to finish.
Ready to launch your business in Brussels?
Brussels offers expat entrepreneurs a rare combination: access to Europe's largest single market, a multilingual and international business environment, and a straightforward company registration process. With a professional registered address through domiciliation, you can establish your company quickly, affordably, and in full legal compliance — without committing to a long-term office lease. Whether you are an EU citizen exercising your freedom of establishment or a non-EU professional exploring opportunities in Belgium, Office Factory is here to help you get started. Our team speaks English, French, and Dutch, and we support clients through every step of the domiciliation and registration process.