Liaison Office in Belgium - Open a Representative Office

As a foreign investor interested in the Belgian business environment, it is recommended that you set up a liaison office in the country that would give you a better insight concerning the commercial potential of the market A liaison office in Belgium acts as a connection between the parent company, situated elsewhere, and the business industries, competitors, and partners in the Belgian market.

Quick Facts
Characteristics of a liaison office in Belgium	A representative office in Belgium serves as a non-trading, non-commercial entity that represents the interests of the parent company in the Belgian market
Permitted activities	– providing information to potential clients or partners, – coordinating activities on behalf of the parent company, – market research, – advertising, – lobbying for the parent company, – organizing travel arrangements, etc.
Interdicted activities	– impose service fees, – sign contracts (under the name of the parent company), – import goods, – purchase properties, etc.
Procedure of opening a representative office in Belgium	In the case of permanent liaison offices, registration is required; Please contact our Belgian company formation specialists for details.
Representative required (YES/NO)	YES, each office must select an individual to act as its representative
Laws governing representative offices in Belgium	Code of Companies and Associations (where registration applies) and Belgian tax law
Differences from a branch office	Branch offices can engage in commercial activities, and can use a different "commercial name" if desired
Corporate income tax	There is no corporate income tax for liaison offices because they do not engage in commercial activities and do not have any income
VAT	VAT registration in Belgium for representative offices is only mandatory when the office is a permanent establishment in the country
Additional costs	– rental space (if applicable), – employees' salaries, – utilities, – maintenance costs, etc.
Accounting	Must provide tax filings and the audited financial statements of its parent company
Liability	The parent company holds complete legal responsibility for the actions, obligations, and liabilities of the representative office
Incorporation time (approx.)	3 weeks
Advantages	– establishing a presence in the Belgian market, – brand visibility and awareness, – apoint of contact for negotiating and finalizing business partnerships, – easy registration, – no taxes
Assistance	Our team can help you in the process of opening a liaison office or company in Belgium

What services to you offer to establish a liaison office in Belgium?

Our specialists can help foreign investors in:

evaluating the suitability of a liaison office for their activities;
selecting whether a liaison office, branch, subsidiary, or establishment unit suits their needs;
completing the necessary legal documents;
locating a proper Belgian business address;
registration with the CBE if required;
local representation;
coordination with the relevant Belgian authorities and business providers.

What are the activities of a Belgian liaison office in 2026?

As such, only the following activities are regulated by the Belgian law:

offering information to the potential clients or partners;
providing promotion materials;
lobbying for the parent company with local and foreign companies;
coordinating the activities imposed by the parent company;
surveying the Belgian market;
organizing travel arrangements, when needed, for representatives of the parent company or its clients.

We invite you to have a quick look on the uses of the liaison office in Belgium from this infographic:

How does one establish a liaison office in Belgium in 2026?

Main steps to set up a liaison office in Belgium include:

Identify the activities – identify the precise activities that the Belgian liaison office will undertake and ensure that they remain within its authorized representative activities;
Authorize the establishment – the parent company must officially authorize the establishment of the Belgian liaison office;
Name a representative in Belgium – name an individual who will be tasked with representing and coordinating the office in Belgium;
Acquire a Belgian office address;
Acquire the necessary documents – acquire the corporate documents of the parent company together with the identification documents of the Belgian representative;
Register the Belgian at the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE);

What documentation is required to establish a liaison office in Belgium?

This will vary according to the nature of the foreign entity, but could include:

proof of existence of the parent entity;
company by-laws;
documentation of the representatives of the company;
decision of the parent entity for the Belgian office;
description of the Belgian office and its activities;
power of attorney for a local representative (if needed);
information on the establishment/address of the office in Belgium;
translation/legalization of foreign documentation, where required.

We invite you to watch the following video about the representative office:

What are the major advantages of setting up a liaison office in Belgium?

The establishment of a liaison office in Belgium will enable the company to:

study the local market before committing itself to more extensive investments;
make contacts with Belgian companies and other possible partners;
advertise its own products/services;
keep track of its competitors;
organize meetings and activities for its foreign parent company;
build a local network without having to establish a subsidiary in Belgium at once.

Are there any activities that a liaison office is not allowed to engage in?

Yes. The liaison office is not allowed to engage in the following activities:

commercial activities;
signing contracts on behalf of the parent company;
buying property;
importing goods.

If you need further information on opening a liaison office in Belgium, please contact our company registration consultants, who can offer you customized services and representation.