Acquire a ready-made Belgian company with a clean history — BV/SRL or NV/SA, immediately available for transfer. No debts, no liabilities, no waiting. Start operating your Belgian business within days.
A shelf company in Belgium is a pre-registered legal entity — typically a BV/SRL (private limited company) or NV/SA (public limited company) — that has been incorporated but never traded or conducted business. These ready-made entities offer a fast track to establishing a Belgian corporate presence, bypassing the standard company registration timeline of 2–4 weeks. LawSupport maintains an inventory of verified, debt-free shelf companies available for immediate transfer to international clients.
Why Buy a Shelf Company in Belgium?
Speed: Transfer completed in 1–3 business days vs. 2–4 weeks for new registration
Established entity: An existing CBE/KBO number, which may be preferred by banks, suppliers, and contract partners
Immediate operations: Start signing contracts, opening bank accounts, and hiring staff right away
Tender eligibility: Some government tenders and commercial contracts require a company that has been registered for a minimum period
Clean history: All LawSupport shelf companies undergo due diligence — no debts, no liabilities, no legal proceedings
Full customization: After acquisition, you can change the company name, registered address, directors, and business activities
Available Shelf Company Types
Feature
Shelf BV/SRL
Shelf NV/SA
Entity type
Private Limited Company
Public Limited Company
Price range
€3,000 – €8,000
€10,000 – €25,000
Typical age
6 months – 5 years
1 – 5 years
Share capital
Varies (often minimal)
€61,500 (fully paid up)
Transfer method
Share purchase agreement
Share register transfer
Notary required
Depends on statutes
For statute amendments only
Best for
SMEs, startups, foreign entrepreneurs
Large operations, tenders
The Shelf Company Acquisition Process
Inventory review: We present available shelf companies matching your requirements (type, age, features)
Due diligence: We provide full documentation — annual accounts, CBE status, tax clearance certificate, confirmation of no pending proceedings
Share purchase agreement: Our legal team drafts the SPA with comprehensive seller warranties
Transfer execution: Share transfer, director appointments, registered office change — all filed with KBO/BCE
A shelf company (also called a ready-made company or aged company) is a pre-registered Belgian legal entity — typically a BV/SRL or NV/SA — that was incorporated but never actively used for business. It has a clean history, no debts or liabilities, and can be transferred to a new owner through a share transfer, allowing the buyer to start operations immediately without waiting for the registration process.
Shelf company prices in Belgium typically range from €3,000 to €8,000 for a BV/SRL and €10,000 to €25,000 for an NV/SA. The price depends on the company's age, whether it has a VAT number, bank account, and other factors. Additional costs include notary fees for the share transfer (€500–€1,500) and professional fees for due diligence and documentation.
The main advantages are speed (transfer in 1–3 days vs. 2–4 weeks for new registration), established track record (aged entities may be preferred by banks and partners), immediate CBE number and potential VAT registration. Shelf companies are particularly useful when you need a Belgian entity urgently for a contract, tender, or bank account opening.
Yes. Buying and selling shelf companies is fully legal in Belgium. The transfer is executed through a share purchase agreement and requires notarization for BV/SRL (if statutes require it) or NV/SA shares. The transaction must be reported to the CBE/KBO, and changes in directors and registered office are published in the Belgian Official Gazette.
Essential due diligence includes: verifying the company has no outstanding debts or liabilities, checking for pending legal proceedings, confirming no tax arrears with SPF Finances, reviewing the annual accounts filed with NBB, verifying the CBE/KBO status, and ensuring no negative entries in the commercial register. LawSupport performs comprehensive due diligence on all shelf companies before offering them.
Once you select a shelf company and complete due diligence, the actual transfer can be completed in 1–3 business days. This includes signing the share purchase agreement, notarizing the transfer (if required), filing changes with the CBE/KBO, and publishing in the Belgian Official Gazette. Bank account access and VAT number activation may take an additional 1–2 weeks.
Yes. There are no nationality restrictions on buying a shelf company in Belgium. Both EU and non-EU citizens can acquire a Belgian shelf company. Non-EU buyers may need to provide additional identification documents (apostilled passport, proof of address). The buyer can also appoint local directors if preferred.
Some shelf companies come with an existing bank account, but this is not guaranteed. Belgian banks have strict KYC/AML procedures and typically require the new beneficial owner to undergo their own compliance checks. In practice, most buyers open a new corporate bank account after the transfer is completed. LawSupport assists with bank account opening through our banking partners.
The most commonly available shelf companies in Belgium are BV/SRL (private limited company) and NV/SA (public limited company). BV/SRL shelf companies are more affordable and suitable for most SME purposes. NV/SA shelf companies are available for larger operations requiring a public limited structure.
The primary risks include hidden liabilities, outstanding tax debts, or undisclosed legal proceedings. These risks are mitigated through thorough due diligence — reviewing financial statements, tax status, commercial register entries, and obtaining seller warranties. LawSupport performs comprehensive due diligence and provides representations and warranties in every shelf company transaction.
Yes. After acquiring a shelf company, you can change the company name, registered office address, business activities (NACE codes), directors, and shareholders. Name changes require an amendment to the articles of association before a notary and publication in the Belgian Official Gazette. Address changes and director appointments are filed with the CBE/KBO.
For BV/SRL shares, notarization depends on the company's articles of association — some require notarized share transfers, others allow private agreements. For NV/SA shares, transfer is typically simpler (registered shares transferred via the share register). However, any amendments to the articles of association (name change, capital modification) always require a notarial deed.
Ready to Acquire a Belgian Shelf Company?
Contact us for our current inventory and pricing. Transfer completed within days.
