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Open a Bank Account in Belgium

Corporate and personal bank account opening in Belgium — for new companies, foreign entrepreneurs, and non-residents. We handle bank selection, KYC documentation, and the entire application process.

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Corporate bank card and online banking interface — Bank Account Belgium

Opening a bank account in Belgium is an essential step for any business operating in the country. Whether you are registering a new company, setting up a branch office, or managing operations as a non-resident, you will need a Belgian bank account for corporate transactions, VAT payments, payroll, and daily operations. LawSupport assists international clients with selecting the right bank, preparing all required KYC documentation, and navigating the compliance process.

Types of Bank Accounts in Belgium

Account TypePurposeWho Needs It
Corporate current accountDay-to-day business transactions, supplier payments, salary disbursementsAll Belgian companies (BV/SRL, NV/SA, branches)
Blocked capital accountDeposit of share capital before NV/SA incorporationNV/SA founders (€61,500 minimum)
Professional accountFreelancer/self-employed income separationIndependent professionals, sole traders
Non-resident accountBelgian banking for foreign individuals/companiesNon-residents with Belgian interests
Multi-currency accountHolding and converting multiple currenciesImport/export businesses, international companies

Best Banks for Business in Belgium

Belgium has a well-developed banking sector regulated by the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) and supervised by the FSMA. Here is a comparison of the best banks for business in Belgium:

BankMonthly FeeStrengthsBest For
KBC€7–€15Full-service, English support, strong online bankingSMEs, established businesses
BNP Paribas Fortis€8–€20International network, trade finance, multi-currencyInternational companies
ING Belgium€6–€12User-friendly app, fast onboardingStartups, digital businesses
Belfius€5–€15Belgian focus, public sector connectionsGovernment contractors
N26 Business€0No monthly fees, instant notifications, EU coverageFreelancers, small businesses
Wise Business€0Multi-currency, low FX fees, fast transfersInternational payments

How to Open a Corporate Bank Account in Belgium

  1. Company registration first: Complete your company registration and obtain your CBE/KBO number
  2. Bank selection: Choose a bank based on your business needs (international transfers, multi-currency, fees, English support)
  3. Document preparation: Gather all required KYC documents (see checklist below)
  4. Application submission: Submit the application online or at a branch — LawSupport can coordinate with the bank on your behalf
  5. KYC/AML review: The bank conducts compliance checks (1–3 weeks for standard cases)
  6. Account activation: Receive account details, banking credentials, and corporate debit card

Required Documents (KYC Checklist)

  • Company documents: Notarial deed (articles of association), CBE/KBO extract, published extract from Moniteur Belge
  • Identification: Passport or ID for all directors and UBOs (Ultimate Beneficial Owners holding 25%+)
  • Proof of address: Utility bill or bank statement for all directors (less than 3 months old)
  • Business description: Nature of activities, expected transaction volumes, main clients and suppliers
  • Source of funds: Evidence of origin of initial capital and ongoing revenue sources
  • Financial projections: Business plan or financial plan (especially for new companies)
  • Power of attorney: If a representative opens the account on behalf of directors

For non-EU directors, documents may need to be apostilled or legalized and translated into French, Dutch, or English by a sworn translator.

Bank Account for Non-Residents

Opening a bank account in Belgium as a non-resident is possible but requires additional documentation. Key considerations:

  • Traditional banks (KBC, BNP Paribas Fortis) generally require a Belgian entity (company or branch) for corporate accounts
  • Personal accounts for non-residents are available at some banks with valid passport and proof of Belgian interest (property, employment, company ownership)
  • Digital banks (N26, Wise) accept EU residents without a Belgian address
  • Non-EU nationals may need a Belgian residence permit for personal accounts at traditional banks
  • LawSupport can introduce you to banks experienced with international clients

Banking Fees Comparison

Fee TypeTraditional BanksDigital Banks
Monthly account fee€5 – €20€0 – €10
SEPA transfer€0 – €0.50Free
International transfer€5 – €25€0.50 – €5
Business debit card€0 – €25/yearFree – €10/year
Currency exchange1.5% – 3% markup0.3% – 1% markup
Cash depositFree – €2 per depositUsually not available
Pieter van den Berg — Legal Advisor, Banking & Compliance at LawSupport

Pieter van den Berg

Legal Advisor — Banking & Compliance (VUB, ex-KPMG Belgium)

View Profile →

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Both EU and non-EU citizens can open a bank account in Belgium. EU citizens can open an account with a passport or national ID card. Non-EU citizens typically need a valid passport, proof of Belgian address (or proof of intent to reside), and may need a Belgian residence permit. Some banks also accept non-residents without Belgian residency, though the process is more involved.
The top banks for business accounts in Belgium are KBC, BNP Paribas Fortis, ING Belgium, and Belfius. KBC and BNP Paribas Fortis offer the most comprehensive business banking services including international transfers, multi-currency accounts, and English-language support. For fintech-oriented businesses, digital banks like N26 Business and Wise Business are also popular options.
Required documents typically include: notarial deed (articles of association), CBE/KBO registration certificate, identification of all directors and ultimate beneficial owners (UBO), proof of registered office address, company's financial plan or business description, and completed bank application forms. Non-EU directors may need apostilled identity documents.
Opening a corporate bank account in Belgium typically takes 1–4 weeks depending on the bank and the complexity of your company structure. Belgian banks conduct thorough KYC/AML checks, which can take longer for non-EU beneficial owners or companies with complex international structures. Having all documents ready in advance significantly speeds up the process.
For personal accounts, most traditional Belgian banks require a Belgian address. However, some digital banks (N26, Wise) accept EU residents without a Belgian address. For corporate accounts, the company must have a registered office in Belgium (CBE/KBO registration), but the directors and shareholders can reside abroad.
Monthly fees for business accounts range from €5 to €30 depending on the bank and package. Transaction fees vary: domestic SEPA transfers are typically free or €0.10–€0.50, while international transfers cost €5–€25. Card fees range from €0 to €25 annually. Some banks offer free basic business accounts with limited transactions.
For a BV/SRL, no — there is no minimum capital deposit requirement before registration. You can open the corporate bank account after receiving your CBE/KBO number. For an NV/SA, you must deposit the minimum share capital (€61,500) into a blocked bank account before the notarial deed.
A non-resident company (without Belgian registration) can open a bank account in Belgium, but this is significantly more difficult. Most banks prefer companies with a Belgian CBE/KBO number. Options include opening a branch office first, using digital banking platforms, or establishing a subsidiary.
Belgian banks must comply with the Belgian Anti-Money Laundering Law (AML). Required KYC documents include: identity documents for all UBOs holding 25%+ of shares, proof of source of funds, company registration documents, description of business activities, expected transaction volumes, and information about countries of operation.
Yes. All major Belgian banks offer comprehensive online and mobile banking platforms. KBC, BNP Paribas Fortis, ING, and Belfius all have well-developed apps with English-language interfaces. Additionally, purely digital banks like N26 and Wise operate in Belgium.
Belgium participates in the EU Deposit Guarantee Scheme. Deposits are guaranteed up to €100,000 per depositor per bank by the Belgian Guarantee Fund. This applies to both personal and business accounts held at banks licensed in Belgium.
Yes. LawSupport assists with the entire bank account opening process — from selecting the right bank, preparing all required KYC documentation, to coordinating with the bank's compliance team. We work with several Belgian and international banks and can often expedite the process.

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