Choosing a business address is an essential step when setting up a company in Belgium. It determines the official address under which your company is registered and can have significant legal, tax and practical implications. Your choice of legal structure will also influence your business address options.

What is a business address?

Definition and stakes

A company's business address (domiciliation d'entreprise) corresponds to its registered office address. This is the address:

  • Registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (BCE)
  • Shown on all your official documents
  • Used for your administrative correspondence
  • That determines your tax jurisdiction

This address is not necessarily where you actually work. You can have offices elsewhere while using a different business address for domiciliation purposes.

Registered office vs operating premises

Registered office (siège statutaire, the statutory seat):

  • Your company's legal address
  • Recorded in the articles of association
  • Determines which courts have territorial jurisdiction
  • Fixes the company's tax centre

Operating premises (siège d'exploitation):

  • Where you actually carry out your activity
  • Can differ from the registered office
  • Must be declared if different
  • Can be multiple (several places of activity)

What does the law say?

Under the Companies and Associations Code, every company must:

  1. Have a precise address:

    • A street number and any postbox
    • Not simply a PO box with no physical address
    • A real, accessible address

  2. Register that address:

    • With the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises
    • In the company's articles of association
    • On every official document

  3. Be able to receive post:

    • The address must allow registered mail to be received
    • The authorities must be able to contact you
    • Post must be processed regularly

Penalties for non-compliance

Non-compliance can lead to:

  • Administrative fines: up to EUR 500
  • Removal from the BCE if there is no valid address
  • Tax problems: difficulties with the tax authorities
  • Director liability in the event of fraud

More information: See the Companies and Associations Code on the official website of Belgian Justice for full legal details.

The different business address solutions

1. Domiciliation at the director's home

Advantages:

  • Free: no additional cost
  • Simple: no complex formalities
  • Flexible: ideal when starting out

Drawbacks:

  • Privacy: your personal address becomes publicly visible
  • Professional image: can look less serious to some clients
  • Landlord's consent: may be refused (tenants)
  • Co-ownership rules: may prohibit commercial activity

Conditions:

  • Obtain the landlord's agreement (if you are a tenant)
  • Check the co-ownership regulations
  • Make sure the activity is compatible with the neighbourhood
  • Arrange professional civil liability insurance

Important: This option is ideal for starting out, but remember to manage your cash flow carefully from day one so you can plan for renting an office later if needed.

2. Domiciliation in commercial premises

Renting or buying professional office space.

Advantages:

  • Professionalism: a serious image
  • Freedom: fit out the space as you need
  • Visibility: if well located

Drawbacks:

  • High cost: rent plus charges (EUR 500-2,000/month)
  • Commitment: usually a 3/6/9-year lease
  • Charges: electricity, heating, internet…

Average cost in Belgium (2026):

  • Brussels city centre: EUR 200-400/m²/year
  • Brussels outskirts: EUR 120-200/m²/year
  • Antwerp: EUR 150-250/m²/year
  • Ghent, Liège: EUR 100-180/m²/year

3. Commercial business address providers

Specialist services that provide you with an address.

Advantages:

  • Affordable price: EUR 15-100/month depending on the package
  • Prestigious address: business districts
  • Services included: mail reception, phone answering
  • Flexibility: easy to cancel
  • No long-term commitment: monthly or annual

Drawbacks:

  • Shared address: used by several companies
  • Checks: monitored by the authorities
  • Image: can seem less serious to some

Services generally included:

  • Receiving and sorting post
  • Scanning and digitally forwarding post
  • Meeting rooms (by the hour)
  • Telephone answering service
  • Visitor reception

Main providers in Belgium:

Good to know: If you are looking to change your registered office, these solutions offer great flexibility through monthly or annual contracts.

4. Coworking spaces with a business address

Combining a workspace with a business address.

Advantages:

  • All-in-one: desk plus business address
  • Networking: meeting other entrepreneurs
  • Services: wifi, coffee, printer
  • Flexibility: adaptable packages

Drawbacks:

  • Cost: more expensive than a business address alone (EUR 150-400/month)
  • Noise: shared space
  • Availability: no fixed desk (except premium packages)

Popular coworking spaces:

Tip: Combining coworking with automating your business processes will help you stay efficient even without a fixed office.

Comparing the solutions

Solution Monthly cost Professionalism Flexibility Ideal for
Home address EUR 0 Starting out, online activity
Private office EUR 500-2,000 Established company, team
Business address provider EUR 15-100 Self-employed, small companies
Coworking EUR 150-400 Freelancers, startups

Changing your business address

Procedure

If you want to change the address of your registered office (see our guide on how to change your registered office):

  1. General meeting decision:

    • Bring the shareholders together
    • Vote on the change
    • Draft minutes of the decision

  2. Amending the articles of association:

    • Go before a notary (for an SRL, SA, etc.)
    • Or a private deed (depending on the legal form)
    • Cost: EUR 500-1,500 (notary fees plus publication)

  3. Publication:

  4. Updating the BCE:

Implications

Changing your business address can affect:

Specific points of attention

Business address and VAT

Your business address determines:

  • Your VAT control office
  • The region responsible for audits
  • The local rules that apply

Business address and tax

Your address affects:

  • The competent tax administration
  • Local tax rates (municipal taxes)
  • Regional tax incentives (Brussels, Flanders, Wallonia)

Some municipalities offer tax advantages to attract businesses. Check our comparison of regional grants to identify the most advantageous areas!

Business address and zoning

Watch out for planning rules:

  • Some zones do not allow commercial activity
  • An environmental permit is sometimes required
  • Specific municipal regulations apply

Always check with:

  • The municipal administration
  • The planning department
  • The estate agent or landlord

Tips for choosing

For a startup/freelancer

Consider, in order:

  1. A commercial business address provider (if budget is limited)
  2. Coworking (if you need a workspace)
  3. Your home address (as a last resort, for a test phase)

For an established SME

Opt for:

  1. Your own offices (image and functionality)
  2. A premium business centre (if you need flexibility)

For an international company

Choose:

  1. Prestigious districts (Brussels European Quarter, Avenue Louise)
  2. Multilingual services
  3. Proximity to the airport/station

2026 cost summary

Business address alone

Service Monthly price Services included
Basic EUR 15-30 Address, mail reception
Standard EUR 30-60 + mail scanning, phone
Premium EUR 60-100 + meeting rooms, reception
Prestige EUR 100-200 + prestigious address, concierge

Coworking with a business address

Package Monthly price Access
Nomad EUR 150-250 Flexible access
Resident EUR 250-350 Fixed shared desk
Private office EUR 400-800 Personal closed office

Useful resources

Finding a business address

Official information

Support

Conclusion

Choosing a business address is a strategic decision that depends on:

  • Your budget
  • Your need for professionalism
  • Your type of activity
  • Your stage of development

Our recommendations:

  • Starting out: a commercial business address provider (EUR 30-60/month) plus automated management
  • Growth: coworking with a business address (EUR 150-300/month)
  • Maturity: your own offices (negotiate your lease carefully!)

Don't forget to check out our other essential guides: