Commercial Licenses and Permits in Belgium: Complete Guide

Introduction

In Belgium, certain commercial and professional activities require specific authorizations, licenses, or accreditations. Since the sixth state reform, competencies are distributed between the federal level, the Regions, and the Communities, making the regulatory landscape more complex.

Regulated professions

Intellectual service professions

Certain professions require a specific diploma and registration with a professional body:

• Lawyers: registration with the bar
• Accountants and tax advisors: registration with ITAA (Institute for Tax Advisors and Accountants)
• Company auditors: registration with IBR/IRE
• Architects: registration with the Order of Architects
• Doctors, dentists, pharmacists: visa and registration with the Order

Artisanal and commercial professions

For artisanal activities, professional competencies are required in certain Regions. In Flanders and Wallonia, these requirements have been largely relaxed. In Brussels, certain sectoral competencies remain mandatory:

• Construction: competencies in electrotechnics, heating, etc.
• Personal care: hairdressing, aesthetics
• Food: butchery, bakery
• Automotive: mechanics, bodywork

Sector-specific licenses

Horeca (hotels, restaurants, cafes)

Operating a Horeca establishment requires:

• An environmental permit (Walloon/Brussels Region) or omgevingsvergunning (Flanders)
• An FASFC authorization (Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain) for food handling
• A beverage license: municipal authorization and morality check (clean criminal record)
• A self-monitoring plan compliant with HACCP standards

Food retail

Any business handling food products must:

• Be registered or approved with the FASFC
• Have a validated self-monitoring system
• Comply with hygiene and traceability standards
• Obtain an environmental permit if necessary

Transport and logistics

• Community transport license (for road freight transport > 3.5 tons)
• Professional competence in transport
• Taxi license: issued by the municipality or Region
• Operating authorization for logistics warehouses

Construction and real estate

• Contractor accreditation: required for public contracts (classes 1 to 8 based on amount)
• Real estate agent: mandatory registration with the IPI (Professional Institute of Real Estate Agents)
• Planning permit: for construction and renovation works
• EPB/PEB certificate: for real estate transactions

Financial services and insurance

• FSMA accreditation for insurance intermediaries
• NBB accreditation for credit institutions
• FSMA registration for credit intermediaries
• AML compliance: anti-money laundering obligations

Environmental permits

The environmental permit

Any activity with an environmental impact requires an environmental permit. In Belgium, three systems coexist:

• Wallonia: environmental permit (decree of 11 March 1999)
• Brussels: environmental permit (ordinance of 5 June 1997)
• Flanders: omgevingsvergunning (since 2017, merger of environmental and planning permits)

Establishment classes

Establishments are classified according to their environmental impact:

• Class 1: significant impact → regional authorization
• Class 2: moderate impact → municipal authorization
• Class 3: limited impact → prior declaration

Practical steps

Where to inquire?

• Enterprise counter: first point of contact for regulated professions
• Municipalities: class 2 and 3 environmental permits, beverage licenses
• Regional administrations: class 1 permits, specific authorizations
• Professional organizations: orders and institutes for liberal professions
• FASFC: food authorizations

Important advice

Check the required authorizations before starting your activity. Operating without the required permits can result in fines, closure of the establishment, and even criminal prosecution.

Conclusion

Not sure which authorizations you need for your activity? LegalBelgique helps you identify and obtain all required licenses and permits. Our experts know the specificities of each Region and sector to guide you effectively.