What exactly is a company number?
A company number is a unique identifier for your company, a bit like your personal national number. By means of this number, the authorities, partners and clients identify your company. When you wish to ground a business of your own, you should register at the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE). After the approval of your file, you will be granted a similar unique company number.
You need to communicate this number on all your official communication and documents, such as invoices, tenders, or letters. It should be mentioned on your website by all means as well.
Company number vs. VAT number
In popular speech, the company number is also called VAT number at times, but this is not completely correct. If your company is subject to VAT, you should trigger the activation of your company number as your VAT number.
Your VAT number comprises your company number, with “BTW / TVA BE” preceding. The activation is easily left to Securex at once. As soon as you have your VAT number, you can actually start issuing invoices and incurring deductible operating expenses.
We arrange the start-up of your company from start to finish.
How do you apply for a company number?
You simply request the company number via a Securex Business Counter in your area or through our website. We will handle the request for you and support you with additional information. Thus, you can focus on what really matters to you: your brand-new business.
For smooth registration, please provide us with the following information:
- Identity card (and/or professional card)
- Bank account number
- Description of your company's activities
- Commercial name of your business
Applications for a secondary activity
If you wish to become a self-employed in subsidiary activity, you request your company number in exact the same way as for a main activity.
Do your annual revenues remain below € 25.000? In this case, you can request a VAT exemption. You then actually request your VAT number, but without having to charge VAT on your invoices. However, you cannot get a VAT refund on your corporate purchases.
Requests for a society
In that event, your company number will be granted to you by the Enterprise Court’s registry. Even though you have already received a company number, you still need to register at the CBE by means of the Business Counter.
What does a company number cost?
In 2024, requesting a company number costs you € 105,50. Your registration at the CBE entails a fixed administrative cost, regardless of the size or the nature of your company. The rate is determined by the FPS Economy and will be indexed on a yearly basis.
