Commercial Licences in Belgium: A Sector-by-Sector Guide

Commercial licences: what are we talking about?

Belgian law has no single, general trading licence. Behind the phrase sit many different permits, approvals, accreditations and registrations. Commercial licences depend on your trade, your premises and the Region where you operate.

Since the sixth state reform, powers sit with the federal level, the Regions and the Communities, while municipalities issue many permits. One project can therefore involve three different offices. List your needs before you sign a lease.

Regulated professions

For some professions, commercial licences take the form of a registration. A diploma and membership of a professional body then become essential.

• Lawyers: registration with the bar.
• Accountants and tax advisers: registration with the ITAA.
• Company auditors: registration with the IBR/IRE.
• Architects: registration with the Order of Architects.
• Doctors, dentists, pharmacists: a visa and registration with the relevant order.
• Estate agents: registration with the IPI.

For technical and craft trades, the Regions have scrapped or eased many of the old requirements. Some activities still face rules, though. Your enterprise counter checks these conditions when you register with the CBE. Our guide to becoming a sole trader covers that step.

Hospitality needs the most commercial licences

A restaurant or café combines several steps.

A terrace on the public road also needs municipal approval. So prepare these commercial licences months before opening.

Food and retail shops

Any shop that handles food registers with the FASFC. Depending on the activity, the agency grants a registration, an authorisation or an approval. The retailer then follows hygiene and traceability rules.

A large store may also need a retail establishment permit, depending on the Region. Finally, itinerant trade, at markets or door to door, requires a specific authorisation through the enterprise counter.

Transport and logistics

• Goods transport: a transport licence above 3.5 tonnes, with professional competence.
• Taxis and chauffeured hire: a licence from the Region or the municipality.
• Warehouses: an environmental permit, depending on size and stored products.

Construction and property

• Contractor accreditation: needed for public contracts, in classes by contract value.
• Planning permit: to build or convert.
• EPC (PEB/EPB) certificate: to sell or let a property.
• Estate agent: registration with the IPI.

Financial services

Insurance and credit intermediaries register with the FSMA. Credit institutions need a licence from the National Bank of Belgium. These sectors also apply anti-money laundering duties. These commercial licences rank among the strictest.

The environmental permit

Any activity that can harm the environment falls under a regional regime.

• Wallonia: environmental permit, decree of 11 March 1999.
• Brussels: environmental permit, ordinance of 5 June 1997.
• Flanders: omgevingsvergunning, which since 2017 combines environment and planning.

Installations fall into classes according to their impact. The heaviest need a permit, the lightest a simple declaration. The municipality stays the first contact in most files.

Checking your commercial licences in five steps

The FPS Economy also publishes useful guidance on access to activities. With these steps, your commercial licences move forward in the right order.

Example: opening a sandwich bar in Liège

Samir wants to open a sandwich bar with a few seats. First, he registers with the CBE through an enterprise counter. Next, he applies to the FASFC and writes his self-monitoring plan. Then he checks the planning use of the premises and any permit needs with the municipality. Since he serves no alcohol, he avoids the drinks authorisation. Finally, he budgets the kitchen fit-out to meet hygiene standards.

Thanks to this timeline, Samir opens on schedule, with no administrative closure. His commercial licences sit in one clear file.

The risks of trading without a permit

Trading without the right permits can lead to fines, closure of the premises and sometimes criminal prosecution. An insurer may also refuse to pay after a claim. So check everything before you sign a lease or buy equipment.

In summary

Commercial licences combine federal, regional and municipal permits. List them early, plan the timelines and talk to the municipality soon. With Juristelo, put these costs and delays into your financial plan. For the first formalities, see also our article on VAT activation.