Register an Establishment Unit
A place of activity distinct from your registered office, to be declared correctly
Register an Establishment Unit
We are J. Jordens, and the concept of an establishment unit remains poorly understood by many entrepreneurs, even though it concerns any company or self-employed person with several places of activity. Here is what you need to understand to stay compliant with this obligation.
What is an establishment unit?
An establishment unit is an identifiable place of activity, distinct from the registered office, where all or part of your activity is actually carried out: a shop, a warehouse, a secondary office, or any other premises used on a stable basis for your professional activity. Each establishment unit receives its own establishment unit number, distinct from the main company number.
When you must declare an establishment unit
- You open a second point of sale or commercial premises distinct from your registered office.
- You operate a warehouse or workshop at an address different from your registered office.
- You have a secondary office where part of your activity is actually carried out.
- Your registered office does not correspond to the actual place where your main activity is carried out (a frequent case with registered office services).
Why this declaration is mandatory
The establishment unit declaration allows the administration, as well as your clients and partners, to precisely locate where your activity is carried out. It also has practical implications: certain municipal taxes, operating authorizations or local obligations are linked to the establishment unit rather than to the statutory registered office.
The registration procedure
Registering an establishment unit is done through an authorized business counter, with precise information on the address of the premises concerned and the activity carried out there. Each unit receives its own establishment unit number, which must then appear on certain business documents depending on the nature of your activity.
The special case of registered office services
If your registered office is established at an address different from where you actually carry out your activity (for example a workshop or a storage location), it is important to declare an establishment unit corresponding to this actual place of activity, so that your administrative situation accurately reflects your business organization.
Our support for a compliant declaration
Since 1948, our firm has handled all registration and update formalities, including establishment units. We help you determine precisely which addresses must be declared, to avoid any oversight that could complicate your future administrative procedures.
The link with your municipal authorizations
Depending on the nature of your activity, opening an establishment unit may also require a specific municipal authorization (environmental permit, authorization to operate a shop, etc.). We tell you whether this additional step applies to your situation, so your premises are fully compliant from the moment they open.
Updating in the event of a site closure
Conversely to an opening, the closure of an establishment unit must also be declared as soon as premises stop being used for your activity. Many companies forget this update, leaving obsolete establishment units active in their file — a situation we systematically check during our support.
Rigorous management of your establishment units, both when opening and closing a site, guarantees that your file always accurately reflects the reality of your business organization on the ground. We remain available to review all your activity addresses and make sure your file is perfectly up to date and consistent with the reality of your organization. This regular check avoids administrative inconsistencies that could, in the long run, complicate certain audits or procedures with the relevant municipal authorities.
Do you need to register an establishment unit for your activity in Brussels? Contact us for fast, compliant handling.