What is Enterprise Number (BCE / KBO)?
The enterprise number (numéro d'entreprise / ondernemingsnummer) is the unique 10-digit identifier the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises gives every Belgian company, association and self-employed person. The VAT number is BE plus the same 10 digits.
Finn does your books in Belgium
AccountsOS runs full accounting for Belgium businesses, tax, deadlines and invoicing, in plain English. Ask Finn about yours, no signup needed.
Example
An enterprise number of 0123.456.789 gives the VAT number BE0123456789, a 12-character string used on invoices and contracts.
How Enterprise Number (BCE / KBO) works in Belgium
The number always starts with 0 or 1. The last two digits are a checksum using a mod-97 check. Every registered legal entity gets one when it registers with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (BCE in French, KBO in Dutch), which is run by the Federal Public Service Economy.
The number appears on invoices, official contracts and the company website. It is public, and anyone can search it at kbopub.economie.fgov.be. AccountsOS checks the format of the number before saving it.
Related terms
The SRL (société à responsabilité limitée) or BV (besloten vennootschap) is the private limited company, and the default form for Belgian SMEs. Since the 2019 Companies and Associations Code it has no minimum share capital.
VAT (TVA in French, BTW in Dutch) is charged on most goods and services in Belgium. The standard rate is 21%, with a 12% intermediate rate, a 6% reduced rate and a 0% band for a few items such as newspapers.
Belgian companies must file their annual accounts with the National Bank of Belgium within 30 days of the General Assembly approving them. The accounts then become public through the Central Balance Sheet Office.
Confused by Belgium accounting jargon?
AccountsOS explains Belgium terms in plain English and applies the right rules to your books automatically.
Try Free