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Setting Up in the UK from Belgium
Belgium's position at the centre of the EU, combined with Antwerp and Zeebrugge's role as major North Sea ports, means Belgian companies have deep, longstanding trade links with the UK — logistics, chemicals, food and beverage, and professional services chief among them. Belgian founders are usually comfortable operating across languages and jurisdictions already, given Belgium's own bilingual (and often trilingual) business environment. What still catches people out is assuming a Belgian BV/SRL and a UK Limited Company follow the same rules, particularly since Belgium's 2019 company law reform changed its own capital requirements significantly.
Why Belgium businesses choose the UK
- Belgium ranked among the top ten European countries by per capita FDI into the UK in 2024–25, alongside Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Austria
- Established trade corridors through Antwerp and Zeebrugge into UK ports make logistics and distribution a natural extension for Belgian companies
- English is a practical working third language for most Belgian business professionals, easing UK market entry
- Brussels' role as the EU's institutional capital gives Belgian professional services and public affairs firms a reason to add a London presence covering both markets
BV/SRL vs UK Limited Company
| Belgian BV/SRL | UK Limited Company | |
|---|---|---|
| Liability | Limited | Limited |
| Minimum share capital | No fixed minimum; financial plan required to justify sufficient initial capital | £1 (no statutory minimum) |
| Filing body | Crossroads Bank for Enterprises / Belgian Official Gazette | Companies House |
| Ongoing filings | Annual accounts to the National Bank of Belgium | Annual confirmation statement + accounts to Companies House |
| Officer requirement | One or more directors/managers | At least one director (can be non-UK resident) |
Most Belgian companies expanding into the UK set up a UK subsidiary, keeping the BV/SRL as the parent. Belgium and the UK have a long-standing double taxation treaty, so profits generally aren't taxed twice, but Belgian founders should note that Companies House doesn't require the financial plan and director liability exposure that Belgium's 2019 reform introduced for BV/SRL directors — the UK regime is procedurally lighter in this respect. Compare subsidiary vs branch in detail →
The setup process, step by step
- 01Company registration — incorporating your UK entity with Companies House, typically completed within 24–48 hours once documentation is ready Read our Company Registration Checklist guide →
- 02Registered office — every UK company needs a UK registered office address; a virtual office solves this if you don't yet have UK premises
- 03PAYE and HMRC registration — required as soon as you have UK employees, including a Belgian founder drawing a UK salary Read our How to Register as a UK Employer (PAYE) When You Do Not Have a UK Address guide →
- 04UK business bank account — often the slowest step for Belgian-owned entities, since UK banks apply their own KYC requirements to foreign-owned companies Read our Business Bank Account for Non-Residents: What Actually Works guide →
- 05Ongoing compliance — annual accounts, confirmation statements, and corporation tax returns, all on a UK filing calendar independent of your Belgian filing deadlines
Common questions from Belgium founders
Do we need a financial plan like we did for our BV/SRL?
No — UK company law doesn't have an equivalent requirement to Belgium's post-2019 financial plan obligation, which is one of the more significant procedural differences founders notice.
Can our Belgian entity remain the sole shareholder of the UK company?
Yes — a UK subsidiary can be wholly owned by your Belgian BV/SRL, with Belgium-resident directors, though many groups appoint a UK-based director or authorised contact to simplify banking.
Does it matter whether our Belgian entity operates in Dutch or French for UK registration purposes?
No — Companies House filings are in English regardless of the language your Belgian parent operates in; you'll simply need certified English translations of any Belgian corporate documents you use to support UK incorporation.
How does the UK–Belgium double taxation treaty affect profit repatriation?
It prevents double taxation on the same profit, but the practical mechanics depend on your specific group structure — worth checking before you set dividend or management charge policies.
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