Your self-employed status in Belgium determines whether you are registered as a natural person or a company, and whether you are subject to VAT. This article walks you through how to check both, using the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises and Intervat.
This article covers how to verify your entity type and your VAT regime.
Are you a natural person or a company?
Step 1: Get a VAT number
To check your status, you need a VAT number. If you do not have one yet, you are not legally self-employed. There are 3 steps to follow to start as a self-employed person in Belgium:
Open a bank account: The following documents are required to open an account: a passport or identity card, proof of residence in Belgium (a lease with a Belgian address), and an employment or grant agreement.
Get a VAT number from the tax office: the enterprise counter will request this on your behalf.
For a full step-by-step walkthrough, see the dedicated blog article on becoming self-employed in Belgium or watch this video guide.
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Start here, enter your details, and follow the simple steps, our trusted partners will handle the rest, so you can focus on your future business.
Step 2: Go to the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises website
Go to the KBO public search and enter your VAT number in the search field (without the country code, for example: 0123.321.123).
Step 3: Read the results table
Under the section "Entity type" in the results table, you will see whether you are registered as a company or a natural person.
Once you know your self-employment status, you can set up your account in Accountable to manage your finances as a freelancer.
Are you subject to VAT?
Step 1: Have your VAT number ready
Step 2: Go to the Intervat website
Step 3: Log in with your preferred method
Step 4: Select the first option and click "Next"
Step 5: Click on "Intervat"
Step 6: Click on "VAT Regimes"
Step 7: Enter your VAT number and press "Search"
Step 8: Review your VAT regime
You can now see your VAT regime and confirm whether you are subject to VAT. For more context on what this means for your finances, visit the Accountable knowledge base on tax obligations.
Key takeaways
You need a VAT number to have a legal self-employed status in Belgium.
Use the KBO public search to check whether you are registered as a natural person or a company.
Use Intervat to check your VAT regime and confirm whether you are subject to VAT.
Getting registered involves opening a bank account, registering at an enterprise counter, and obtaining a VAT number.
Need help? Chat with us or email support@accountable.eu, we're happy to help.