With its advanced growth and good living standards, Belgium serves as a gateway to Europe. The European Union’s headquarters are located in Brussels, highlighting Belgium’s crucial position as a permanent member of both the EU and the Schengen area. The nation embraces a welcoming attitude toward business endeavors, strategically located in a prime region that fosters thriving commerce and export opportunities. In contrast to its European Union counterparts, Belgium offers reasonable real estate costs, rendering it an attractive hub for foreign investments. In Belgium, the euro is the official currency, and French is commonly used. For investors and businesspeople who desire to invest and do business in the country, the country provides investor visas under the business category.
Options for entrepreneur and investor visas
These are the available investor and entrepreneur visa options in Belgium:
Business investor visa (type B visa)
A sizeable investment in a Belgian business or project is normally required to qualify for a business investor visa in Belgium. Depending on the location (Flanders, Wallonia, or Brussels), the precise amount of investment needed may change. The investment may be made in several ways, such as
- Direct investment in a Belgian business.
- Investment in a regional initiative or sector.
- Opening a new branch or firm in Belgium.
Creating jobs
As part of your investment, you can be required by certain regions to employ Belgian or EU residents.
Financial capacity
You must exhibit the financial capability to sustain your family while you are a visitor in the country.
Business plan
Normally, you must provide a thorough business plan explaining your intended investment.
Duration
If the company is successful, the first limited-term visa may be extended or converted to a long-term resident permit.
Start-up entrepreneur visa
A Start-up Entrepreneur Visa Program has been launched in Belgium to draw creative businesspeople to the nation and help them develop and expand their start-ups there. You must have a business plan that illustrates your project’s unique character and its potential economic advantages for Belgium to be eligible. Additionally, you may need to acquire financial assistance or investment from reputable venture capital companies or business angels in Belgium. With this visa, you may initially remain in the country to work on your start-up with the option of extending your stay if your project is a success.
Innovative enterprise visa
This visa is intended for business owners and investors who want to start or acquire a company with a significant inventive component. It is a component of a larger initiative to support entrepreneurship and innovation in Belgium. You must submit a thorough business plan that proves your company’s creative character, much as with the Start-up Entrepreneur Visa. Depending on the location, there may be different financial restrictions and other qualifying requirements.
Golden visa (visa type A)
For high-net-worth people who make a substantial capital investment in Belgium, there is also a “Golden Visa” scheme. This may include making a large financial deposit into a Belgian bank account or buying Belgian government bonds. Typically, the Golden Visa gives you and your family members permission to live in the country. The particular financial criteria and circumstances related to the Golden Visa must be confirmed since they might change.
Residency
Unlike other nations, Belgium does not have a “citizenship by investment” scheme, but it does provide chances for company owners and investors to purchase “residence by investment.” It is the only nation in Europe where, after three years of uninterrupted valid residency, you may petition for citizenship. Additionally, you become eligible for “citizenship by right” after seven years of residency. The residency program in the country is therefore ideal for businesspeople and investors who desire to live in Europe.
Minimum investment
The BVBA and SPRL business kinds are the most common in Belgium. The Belgian BVBA corporation operates similarly to a Limited Liability corporation and needs a minimum share capital of €18,600. Belgian law mandates that taxes be paid at a rate of around 30% and that yearly reports be submitted. With careful tax preparation, investors may significantly reduce their tax obligations. If investors wish to apply for the investor residence program in the country, they must have a minimum of €300,000.
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Applying for a visa to Belgium – full guide