Belgium

Operating a business

Different types of companies	Number of partners/shareholders	Maximum and/or minimum capital	Liabilities	Registration fees
Besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid (BVBA) is a Private Limited Company.	Minimum 2 partners : 1 person for the sole proprietorship.	18,550 € entirely subscribed and released up to minimum 6,200 €.	Partners' liability is limited to the amount contributed.
Naamloze vennootschap (NV) is a Public Limited Company.	Minimum 2 shareholders.	61,500 € totally subscribed and released.	Partners' liability is limited to the amount contributed.
Vennootschap Onder Firma (VO) is a general partnership.	Minimum 2 partners.	No minimum capital.	Partners' liability is joint and several.
Commanditaire Vernootschap (CV) is a limited partnership.	Two types of partners: active partners and sleeping partners.	No minimum capital.	Active partners' liability is joint and several, while the sleeping partners are liable for debts until the amount of the sum contributed.
The co-operative company (SC) with unlimited and joint liability (SCRIS) or gathers a group of companies.	Maximum 3 partners.	No minimum capital.	Partners' liability is joint and unlimited on their whole personal assets.
The co-operative company with limited liability (SCRL) is similar to the BVBA / SPRL.	Maximum 3 partners.	18 550 € released up to BEF 6 200 €.	Partners' liability is limited to the amount contributed.

Business setup procedures: Belgium has simplified start-up procedures so much that it is now the European leader in terms of how long it takes to set up a new business. The time you need to complete the administrative formalities to set up your business in Belgium has been slashed from 56 days to just 3 days. More information on Invest Belgium.
The competent organization: The bank, the notary and the business one-stop shop.

Legal weekly duration: 35, 38 or 39 hours
Retirement age: 65
Working contracts: There are several types of employment contract commonly used in Belgium. There are different contracts for manual workers and white-collar workers. In addition, separate contracts exist for domestic workers, student workers, professional sports people and home workers. More info on Angloinfo.

Minimum wage: 1 163 euros
Average wage: 2703 Euros/month/gross
Social contributions: Social security contributions paid by employers: The social security system is financed by contributions from employees and employers and subsidies from the state. The amounts are calculated based on the gross salary (basic salary plus bonuses, benefits in kind an so forth) and are paid to the National Office of Social Security (ONSS/RSZ). Employees contributions finance approximately 13% of the social security system. Employers' contributions account for over 34%.
Social security contributions paid by employees: Employees' contributions finance approximately 13% of the social security system.