The hub of the European economic market and a key player in international trade, Belgium is also one of the founding countries of the European Union. As the capital of the European Union, Belgium is home to a number of international institutions including NATO, the European Commission, etc.
Cosmopolitan energy in the heart of a developed country
Belgium is at the heart of one of the world’s richest and most developed regions. It has an exciting culture and cosmopolitan population. For example, 31% of the Brussels population is of foreign origin.
The Brussels-Capital region benefits from a strategic situation in Europe and enjoys excellent infrastructures.
All these factors make Belgium an great place to do business. The Belgian government and the country’s three regions (Brussels-Capital, Wallonia and Flanders) have created attractive investment opportunities.
Located at the heart of Europe
Belgium is the ideal entry point to access a consumer market of 500 million Europeans. Moreover, 75% of European purchasing power is within a radius of 500 kilometres.
The Belgian government has introduced a range of measures and tax incentives to make Belgium more attractive to international investors. Moreover, the Brussels-Capital region encourages innovation, research and development.
It benefits boasts a wide range of facilities in terms of infrastructures and links. It has a range of transport options (maritime and river ports, airports, railway stations, a vast road and motorway network, etc.). Its telecommunications network is top class and inter-modal transport opportunities are on the increase.
Belgium – an open community
Owing to its structure and history, Belgium is naturally a cosmopolitan country. It is made up of three regions: Wallonia, Brussels-Capital and Flanders. It has three official languages: French, Dutch and German. Officially, the Brussels-Capital region is bilingual (French/English) but in the world of business and major companies, English is widely used.
Belgium, a host of advantages
An open economy
- One of the leading exporting countries in the world
- No trade restrictions
- Quick and easy to create a new company
- Positive entrepreneurial climate
Easily accessible from Europe and the rest of the world thanks to:
- Excellent infrastructure and great transport links
- Increasing inter-modal transport options
- Outstanding telecommunications network
An international decision-making centre
- Home to countless European and international institutions
- Over 2,000 multinationals
- Presence of pressure groups/lobbyists, diplomats and media groups
Outstanding workers
- High level of productivity
- Highly skilled labour
- Excellent linguistic skills
Centre of expertise
- Renowned universities
- High-level research & development centres
- Innovation incubator
Advantageous tax regime for businesses
You may also be entitled to a range of deductions and tax breaks:
- notional interest deduction: deduction of fictitious interest on venture capital financing providing you with a lower tax base and a lower effective rate
- deductions on permanently taxed income
- 95% dividends-received deduction (DRD)
- interest deduction if you take out a loan to acquire an interest in a company
- investment deduction for investments in new assets
- 8 % for SMEs regardless of the type of investment
- investments in the energy sector
- investments in research & development (R&D)
- 95% net exemption for innovation revenues e.g. for patents, IT programmes protected by copyright, plant-breeding rights, etc.
- tax losses carried forward to subsequent years with no time limit
- deferral of VAT on acquired goods: you do not have to pay VAT up front or a guarantee
- federal tax exemptions on a range of subsidies granted by the regions
Other advantages:
- reduced social security contributions for employers
- identical tax calculations for job in a Belgian establishment or Belgian subsidiary
- attractive effective tax rate i.e. lower than the nominal rate of 33.99%
Well priced real estate
- The price of real estate is lower than that in neighbouring countries
Excellent living conditions
- High standard of living
- Exceptional education
- Quality health care
- Cultural crossroads
Are you looking for free support and advice to start a business or invest in Belgium?
Contact the agency in charge of investments in the region you are interested in:
Wallonia
- Wallonia export and foreign investment agency
- www.awex.be
Brussels-Capital
- Brussels Invest and Export
- www.investinbrussels.brussels
Flanders
- Flanders Investment and Trade
- www.investinflanders.com
Are you looking for free support and advice about tax matters?
Simply, contact the Service Public Fédéral Finances (NB: federal public finance department):
SPF Finances
Cellule Fiscalité des Investissements Etrangers
Tel: +32 257 938 66
taxinvest@minfin.fed.be
Do you need advice about economic matters?
Simply, contact the Service Public Fédéral Economie (NB: federal public service economy department):
SPF Economie, PME, Classes moyennes et Energie
Service Investissements étrangers
Tel: +32 2 277 69 13