Set Up a Company as an American Entrepreneur
A specific procedure for non-EU nationals, well mastered
Set Up a Company as an American Entrepreneur
We are J. Jordens, and we regularly support American entrepreneurs wishing to set up their company in Belgium, whether to develop an activity in Europe or settle there long-term. As a citizen of a country outside the European Union, your administrative path includes a few additional steps, which we detail here.
The professional card, an unavoidable step
Unlike a European national, an American citizen wishing to carry out self-employed activity in Belgium must in principle obtain a professional card. This authorization, issued by the competent regional authorities, certifies your right to carry out self-employed activity on Belgian territory. The application file must demonstrate the viability of your project and your ability to carry it out under good conditions.
The residence permit, a matter separate from the professional card
If you plan to physically relocate to Belgium, the professional card must be complemented by the appropriate residence procedures with the competent authorities. If, on the other hand, you manage your company from the United States, these residence procedures are not necessary, but the professional card remains, except in specific cases, required to legally carry out self-employed activity.
The steps of setting up the company
- Company formation (most often SRL/BV) with drafting the articles of association.
- Obtaining the professional card, in parallel with or just after formation depending on your situation.
- Registered office in Brussels if you do not yet have premises in Belgium.
- Registration in the mandatory registries, VAT activation and UBO declaration, as for any Belgian company.
A strong economic relationship between Belgium and the United States
Many American companies choose Belgium, and Brussels in particular, as a gateway to the European market, notably thanks to the presence of European institutions and a well-developed international economic fabric. This dynamic facilitates trade, even though the administrative formalities remain governed by your nationality's non-EU status.
Timelines to anticipate
The combined procedure of company formation and obtaining the professional card generally takes longer than a standard formation for a European national. We recommend anticipating these timelines from the project phase, particularly if you already have commercial commitments planned in Belgium.
Our support for American entrepreneurs
Since 1948, our firm has supported entrepreneurs from around the world, including many American entrepreneurs. We coordinate the formation of your company with the preparation of your professional card file, for a consistent administrative path with no unpleasant surprises.
The question of the professional bank account
For an American entrepreneur, opening a Belgian business bank account can involve additional checks linked to the American FATCA regulation. We direct you to institutions used to handling this type of file, to avoid the refusals or excessive delays often encountered with banks less experienced with these international profiles.
Preparing the professional card file
The professional card application file must demonstrate the economic viability of your project, generally through a financial plan and a detailed presentation of your planned activity. We help you structure this file clearly and convincingly, which significantly reduces the risk of the administration requesting additional documents and therefore the processing time.
Despite additional formalities compared to a European national, many American entrepreneurs succeed each year in settling in Belgium thanks to methodical preparation of their formation and professional card file.
Are you an American entrepreneur wishing to set up your company in Belgium? Contact us for support tailored to your status.