Create an SRL in Belgium in 2026: costs & deadlines

Forming an SRL (limited liability company) in Belgium requires completing several administrative, financial, and notarial steps. Since the Code of Companies and Associations (CSA) went into effect, the SRL no longer requires a minimum statutory capital. However, incorporation remains a structured process that involves preparing information about the business, opening a bank account, drawing up a financial plan, and appearing before a notary.

In practice, the incorporation process can be broken down into seven main steps, from submitting the initial information to the formalities following the signing of the deed.

What is an SRL?

An SRL, or limited liability company, is a type of business structure particularly well-suited for entrepreneurs who wish to conduct their business through a legal entity.

Since the reform of corporate law, the minimum legal capital requirement that previously applied to an SPRL has been eliminated. However, this does not mean that an SRL can be formed without financial resources: the founders must provide equity capital appropriate to the project and be able to demonstrate the company’s financial viability.

The amount to be contributed must therefore be carefully considered based on the planned business activity, the necessary investments, startup costs, and cash flow needs.

The 7 Steps to Forming an SRL in Belgium

1. Submit the information required for incorporation

The first step is to gather the information needed to prepare the application.

The Profiscal document specifies, in particular, that the following must be provided:

• the desired name for the future LLC;
• the address of the registered office;
• a copy of both sides of the ID card;
• a detailed description of the business activity;
• the marital property regime;
• the date of the marriage contract and the notary’s name, if applicable.

This information allows for the proper preparation of the incorporation and takes into account the founders’ personal circumstances.

2. Open a bank account in the name of the LLC in formation

Once the initial information has been gathered, a bank account must be opened in the name of the company in the process of being formed.

This step may take longer with some traditional banks. It is therefore advisable to plan ahead to avoid delaying the incorporation process.

The account will be used, in particular, to deposit the equity capital intended for the future company.

3. Prepare the draft articles of incorporation with the notary

The draft articles of incorporation are then requested from the notary selected for the incorporation.

The articles of incorporation define, among other things, the company’s operating rules and the rights and obligations associated with it.

In the procedure outlined by Profiscal, the draft articles of incorporation are then reviewed and verified to ensure they align with the entrepreneur’s business activity and plans.

This step is important: the articles of incorporation constitute the legal framework within which the LLC will operate after its formation.

4. Contribute the equity capital

Before signing the articles of incorporation, the equity capital must be deposited into the future LLC’s temporary bank account.

In the example provided by Profiscal, the required amount is €2,700.

The document breaks down this amount as follows:

ItemEstimated AmountNotarized deed± €1,650Profiscal support + financial plan€750Business registration office + publications± €300Estimated total± €2,700

It is important to distinguish these costs from the company’s equity capital: the amount deposited into the LLC’s account during formation must be evaluated within the context of the business plan and financial plan.

The bank then provides a certificate of deposit of the funds, which will be required for the signing of the deed.

5. Prepare the Financial Plan

The financial plan is an essential step in forming an SRL.

In the procedure outlined by Profiscal, the required financial plan is prepared based on information provided by the future entrepreneur.

The goal is to translate the business plan into financial terms: the proposed business activity, available resources, and the company’s needs.

Above all, the financial plan must make it possible to verify that the planned resources are consistent with the business the company intends to conduct.

It is therefore not simply a matter of determining an amount to deposit into a bank account: the initial funding must be consistent with the economic reality of the project.

6. Sign the articles of incorporation at the notary’s office

Once the paperwork is prepared, the next step is to sign the articles of incorporation at the notary’s office.

On the day of the signing, the Profiscal document recommends bringing:

• an ID card;
• the financial plan provided by Profiscal;
• the bank statement confirming the deposit of €2,700.

The notarized deed formalizes the incorporation of the SRL.

It is therefore best to have completed the various preceding steps before this date so that the documents can be signed without any issues.

7. Complete the formalities after incorporation

After incorporation, several administrative formalities must still be completed.

In particular, the document requires the following at a business service counter:

• registration with the Cross-Reference Database of Enterprises (BCE);
• activation of the VAT number;
• registration with the social secretariat;
• registration with a social insurance fund.

These steps ensure that the company is properly registered and can begin operations in compliance with applicable administrative requirements.

What documents do you need to prepare?

To begin the incorporation process, you’ll need at least the following information and documents:

• the desired name for the LLC;
• the address of the registered office;
• a copy of both sides of your ID card;
• a detailed description of the business activity;
• information regarding the marital property regime;
• information regarding the marriage contract and the notary, if applicable;
• the information needed to prepare the financial plan;
• a bank statement confirming the deposit of funds.

The exact list may, of course, depend on the founders’ circumstances and the project’s characteristics.

How much does it cost to form an SRL in 2026?

The Profiscal document provides a concrete example of a budget for incorporating an SRL: approximately €2,700 in total.

The breakdown is as follows:

• ± €1,650 for the notarized deed;
• €750 for consulting services and the financial plan;
• ± €300 for the business registration office and publications.

A budget of €2,700 should be considered an estimate

This amount should be considered an estimate based on the procedure described in this document, and not a universal rate applicable to all LLCs.

The actual cost may vary depending on the notary, the complexity of the case, the support services selected, and the necessary formalities.

It is also important to distinguish these costs from the financial resources required to operate the company. An SRL that needs to purchase equipment, build inventory, hire staff, or finance investments will naturally have different financial needs than a service company starting out with few expenses.

How long does it take to form an SRL?

The time required for incorporation depends mainly on how well the application is prepared.

In the process outlined by Profiscal, a target date is set for the notarized deed, and the entrepreneur is guided through each step as they go.

It is therefore difficult to reduce the formation time to a fixed number of days: opening a bank account, preparing the financial plan, drafting the articles of incorporation, and the notary’s availability can all influence the total duration.

In practice, preparing the application in advance is crucial. The more complete the information is and the sooner the documents are available, the more efficiently the incorporation process can be organized.

Minimum capital: Is it necessary to contribute €18,550?

No.

Since the reform of corporate law, the SRL is no longer subject to the former minimum capital requirement that applied to the SPRL.

The key issue is therefore no longer to raise a predefined legal amount, but to ensure that equity capital aligns with the company’s actual needs.

This is precisely the role of the financial plan: to align available financial resources with the project’s needs.

In the Profiscal procedure, the example provided calls for a payment of €2,700, but this amount corresponds to the case file and cost structure presented in the document; it does not constitute a new “minimum legal capital.”

What should be done after signing?

The incorporation at the notary’s office is not the final step.

You must also ensure that the subsequent administrative formalities are completed, including:

1. registration with the BCE;
2. activation of the VAT number;
3. registration with the social security office, when required;
4. enrollment with a social insurance fund.

These steps are essential before the business actually begins operations.

FAQ

Is a minimum capital requirement still needed to form an SRL in 2026?

No. The SRL is no longer subject to a statutory minimum capital requirement. However, equity must be commensurate with the project, and the financial plan must demonstrate the soundness of the proposed financing.

How much should you budget to incorporate an SRL?

In the example provided by Profiscal, the estimated budget is €2,700, including approximately €1,650 for the notarial deed, €750 for consulting services and the financial plan, and €300 for the business registration office and publications.

What documents do you need to prepare?

You’ll need to provide the company name, the address of the registered office, copies of identification documents, a description of the business activity, and information regarding marital status. For the signing, you’ll also need to have the financial plan and a bank statement confirming the deposit of funds.

Is a visit to a notary required?

The procedure outlined here involves drafting the articles of incorporation with the notary and then signing the articles of incorporation at the notary’s office.

What happens after incorporation?

Several formalities still need to be completed, including registration with the BCE, VAT registration, and the necessary social security enrollments.

In summary

Setting up an SRL in Belgium in 2026 follows a relatively straightforward process:

1. Gather the necessary information

2. Open a bank account

3. Prepare the articles of incorporation

4. Contribute the capital

5. Draw up the financial plan

6. Sign the documents at the notary’s office

7. Complete the post-incorporation formalities.

One of the key takeaways from the Profiscal procedure is that incorporation involves more than just signing at the notary’s office. Preparing the application materials, opening the bank account, securing initial funding, and drawing up the financial plan must all be planned in advance.

Regarding the budget, the example provided in the document totals approximately €2,700, broken down between the notarized deed, consulting services, and the financial plan, as well as the business registration office and required publications.

Finally, once the deed is signed, the administrative procedures continue with the Central Bank of Belgium (BCE), VAT registration, and the necessary social security enrollments. Thorough preparation therefore helps ensure a smoother process for forming the SRL and avoids delays caused by missing information or documents.