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Non-Resident Bank Account Belgium

Opening a Belgian bank account as a non-resident requires additional documentation and enhanced KYC checks. We facilitate introductions to Belgian banks and manage the entire onboarding process.

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Non-resident opening a corporate bank account in Belgium

Opening a bank account in Belgium as a non-resident is possible but involves enhanced due diligence from Belgian banks. Whether you are a foreign entrepreneur with a newly registered Belgian company or an international director managing remotely, LawSupport facilitates bank introductions and guides you through the KYC process.

Can Non-Residents Open a Belgian Bank Account?

Yes — both personal and corporate accounts. Belgian law does not prohibit non-residents from holding bank accounts. However, banks apply enhanced KYC/AML due diligence for non-resident clients under the Belgian Anti-Money Laundering Law (Wet van 18 september 2017), which means:

  • More documentation required than for Belgian residents
  • Longer processing times (2–6 weeks vs 1–2 weeks for residents)
  • Some banks may decline applications from certain jurisdictions
  • In-person meeting often required (at least for signatories)
  • Source of funds verification is more thorough

Required Documents

DocumentDetails
PassportValid, certified copy (some banks require apostilled copy)
Proof of addressUtility bill or bank statement from country of residence (max 3 months old)
Company registrationCBE registration, notarial deed, articles of association
UBO declarationUltimate Beneficial Owner information (25%+ shareholders)
Business plan / descriptionNature of activities, expected transaction volume, source of revenue
Source of fundsProof of origin of initial deposit and ongoing funding (bank statements, contracts)
Tax residency certificateSome banks request this for CRS/FATCA compliance
Board resolutionAuthorising account opening and designating signatories
All documents in languages other than French, Dutch, or English typically need sworn translation. Documents from non-EU countries may need apostille or legalization.

Best Banks for Non-Residents

BankNon-Resident FriendlyIn-Person RequiredMonthly Fee
KBCYes (with Belgian company)Yes€10–€25
BNP Paribas FortisYes (case-by-case)Yes€10–€30
ING BelgiumSelectiveYes€10–€20
BelfiusSelectiveYes€15–€25
Wise BusinessEasy onboardingNo (online)€0
Revolut BusinessEasy onboardingNo (online)€0–€25

For a detailed comparison, see our best banks for Belgian businesses guide.

The Account Opening Process

  1. Company registration first — register your Belgian company and obtain your CBE number
  2. Bank selection — we recommend banks based on your profile, nationality, and business type
  3. Document preparation — we help compile and verify all required KYC documents
  4. Bank introduction — we facilitate a formal introduction to the bank's corporate desk
  5. KYC review — the bank reviews your documents (1–4 weeks)
  6. In-person meeting — bank meeting with all signatories (can sometimes coincide with notary visit)
  7. Account activation — IBAN issued, online banking set up, cards ordered

Common Challenges for Non-Residents

  • High-risk jurisdictions — directors from certain countries face stricter scrutiny or outright refusal. Belgian banks follow EU/Belgian sanctions lists and FATF grey/black lists.
  • No Belgian address — having a registered office in Belgium (even a virtual office) helps. Banks may decline if all directors reside outside the EU.
  • Complex ownership structures — multi-layered holding structures with offshore entities trigger enhanced scrutiny
  • Crypto/fintech businesses — additional compliance requirements. Consider crypto licensing first.
  • No business plan — banks expect a clear description of activities and projected transaction volumes

Tips to Improve Approval Chances

  • Register the Belgian company before approaching the bank
  • Prepare a clear, concise business description with projected transaction volumes
  • Have all documents ready in advance — incomplete applications cause delays and rejections
  • Be transparent about source of funds — banks appreciate clear documentation
  • Consider opening a personal Belgian account first (easier), then convert to/add a corporate account
  • Use a professional introduction — banks are more receptive to referrals from accountants and lawyers
Pieter van den Berg — Legal Advisor at LawSupport

Pieter van den Berg

Legal Advisor — Banking & Compliance

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Related Services

Bank Account Belgium

Complete guide to opening a corporate bank account in Belgium.

Best Banks

Comparison of Belgian banks for business — fees, features, non-resident support.

Company Registration

Register your Belgian company first — required for corporate account opening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Non-residents can open both personal and corporate bank accounts in Belgium. However, banks apply enhanced KYC/AML checks for non-resident clients, which means more documentation is required and the process takes longer than for Belgian residents. Having a Belgian company registration significantly improves approval chances.
Required documents typically include: valid passport (apostilled copy), proof of address in your country of residence (utility bill, max 3 months old), company registration documents (CBE registration, articles of association), business plan or description of activities, proof of source of funds, and UBO declaration. Some banks require an in-person visit.
Major Belgian banks that accept non-resident corporate clients include KBC, BNP Paribas Fortis, ING Belgium, and Belfius. Fintech alternatives like Wise Business and Revolut Business offer easier onboarding but may lack full Belgian banking features. Traditional banks generally require an in-person meeting.
For non-residents, expect 2–6 weeks from application to account activation. The KYC/AML review is the main bottleneck — banks may request additional documents or clarifications. Having a Belgian company already registered and all documents ready speeds up the process significantly.
Most traditional Belgian banks (KBC, BNP Paribas Fortis, ING) require at least one in-person meeting with all account signatories. Some banks accept video identification for EU residents. Digital banks (Wise, Revolut) allow fully remote onboarding but may not offer all features needed for Belgian corporate banking.
KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) are legal obligations for Belgian banks under the Belgian AML law and EU directives. Banks must verify the identity of all account holders, understand the nature of the business, identify Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs), and assess money laundering risk. Non-residents face enhanced due diligence.
For an NV/SA, you must open a blocked bank account to deposit minimum share capital before incorporation. For a BV/SRL, you typically open the account after registration using your CBE number and notarial deed. Some banks offer pre-incorporation accounts for NV/SA capital deposits.
Monthly fees range from €0 (digital banks) to €15–€50 (traditional banks) for basic corporate accounts. Additional costs include: setup fee (€0–€500), international transfers (€5–€25 per SWIFT transfer), card fees (€0–€30/year), and cash handling fees. SEPA transfers within the EU are typically free or low-cost.

Open Your Belgian Bank Account

We facilitate introductions to Belgian banks and manage the KYC process for non-resident directors.

Get Banking Assistance →