Guides
Accounting and tax guides
Practical, sourced guides to Belgian accounting and tax on SRL.
How to start a business in Belgium in 2026: the steps in the right order
Starting a business in Belgium comes down to eight steps: choosing between a sole proprietorship and a company, drafting the financial plan, opening the bank account, going to the notary (companies only), registering with the CBE through a business counter, activating VAT, joining a social insurance fund, and then sorting out health insurance, the UBO register and insurance cover. As a sole proprietor, the whole process costs around €200 and fits in a week. For an SRL/BV, budget €1,600 to €3,900 excluding contributions and two to four weeks.
What does an accountant cost in Belgium in 2026?
There is no official scale in Belgium: accounting fees are freely set and written into the engagement letter. The ranges observed in 2026 run from roughly 40 to 250 € a month for a self-employed person, and from 2 000 to 5 500 € a year for a small company, depending on the volume of documents and the services included. What drives the bill is not the professional's title but the exact scope of the engagement.
Looking for an accountant?
The guides link to our independent directory of chartered accountants, tax accountants and accounting firms in Belgium.