14 guides on the topic “CBE”: legal obligations, concrete procedures, costs and deadlines.
The Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, or CBE, is the central register of Belgian businesses. Every self-employed person, company or non-profit receives a unique number there. This page helps founders and managers understand the register, from first registration to later changes.
The register falls under the FPS Economy. It holds the basic data of every active business. You will find the name, legal form, registered address and activities. Each place of business also appears as an establishment unit.
The enterprise number has ten digits. With the letters BE in front, it also serves as the VAT number. Your customers and suppliers can therefore check your details online. Moreover, the public search tool of the FPS Economy remains free.
Everything starts with an approved business counter. This step remains compulsory for commercial or craft activities. You may pick any counter, so compare the services on offer. The counter then takes you through a few stages.
Each formality has its own detailed article. First, read our file on CBE registration. Then see how to activate your VAT number. For a first project, also follow the path to starting a business in Belgium.
Registration does not end the paperwork. Every change must reach the register, in principle within a month. Several events therefore call for an update.
Each operation follows its own rules. For example, moving the registered office requires publication in the Belgian Official Gazette for a company. Likewise, dissolution and liquidation end with the closing of the file.
Some oversights prove costly. First, some entrepreneurs start trading before they have their number. Yet every invoice must show the enterprise number. Second, activity codes that feel too narrow cause trouble. Your public record then describes your real business poorly. A sector licence may also depend on those codes.
The company name is another common trap. Before you sign anything, check that no nearby business uses a similar name. Our article on choosing a company name explains these checks. Finally, an outdated address creates real risks. Official letters indeed go to the registered office. An accurate CBE record thus protects your credibility with every partner.
15 March 2026
Company formation in Belgium takes method. This guide covers the legal forms, the steps at the notary and the enterprise counter, indicative costs and the mistakes to avoid.
5 March 2026
To domicile a company in Belgium, you place its registered seat with a specialist provider instead of renting an office. This guide covers how it works, the contract, legal duties and common mistakes.
15 February 2026
Your VAT registration must come before your first invoice in Belgium. Here are the practical steps, the documents to prepare, the possible schemes and the mistakes that cause delays.
5 February 2026
A registered-office transfer follows a set procedure: a decision by the competent body, sometimes amended articles, publication and admin updates. Here are the steps, the timing and the costs in Belgium.
25 January 2026
A voluntary liquidation closes a solvent Belgian company properly. Decision before a notary, the liquidator, paying creditors, the final surplus and closure: here is the full route for an SRL or SA.
12 January 2026
A good company name sticks, can be protected and complies with the law. Here are the Belgian rules, the checks to run with the CBE and BOIP, and practical tips to avoid conflicts.
