There is no difference between a CBE number and a company number. “CBE” stands for Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, a convenient online database where you can find all companies.
A synonym for the CBE number is the company number. Both terms refer to the unique 10-digit identification code assigned to every Belgian company.
What is the CBE number? 🔎
CBE stands for Crossroads Bank for Enterprises. This is a publicly accessible database where you can find all the identification details of a business. The CBE number is therefore simply the unique company number that you can find through the CBE.
You can find all kinds of information there, such as the company’s name, the people behind it, the address, the company’s activities, and the type of company (sole proprietorship, limited partnership, etc.).
If you want to look up a company, you can do so using the company number, but also by using the company name, its activities, its authorization, and its address.
Why do company numbers exist?
Every business in Belgium has a company number. Applying for this number is the very first step in starting a self-employed activity. You obtain your company number through an accredited business counter.
Why do company numbers exist?
A company number is a unique identifier consisting of 10 digits. This number is recorded in the CBE (Crossroads Bank for Enterprises), a public database where you can find lots of information about all Belgian companies.
This 10-digit number is crucial for all communication you will conduct on behalf of your business. With this number, everyone immediately and without a doubt knows exactly which business is being referred to.
Sole proprietorships, corporations, and non-profit organizations are all legally required to have a company number. Such a number forms the basis of all self-employed activities.
Did you know?
CBE number = company number ≈ VAT number
How do you apply for a company number?
Applying for a company number is legally restricted to the accredited business counters. These accredited business counters are non-profit organizations established by the government to serve as a point of contact for entrepreneurs.
You may have heard of some of them before, such as Acerta, Liantis, or Xerius.
These business counters are the only ones in Belgium authorized to apply for a company number. Fortunately, almost all business counters offer a convenient digital process, so you can get started quickly and entirely online!
What do you need to apply for a company number?
When you apply for a company number at an accredited business counter, you will be asked a few questions. It is therefore best to give some thought to the following points in advance:
Step 1: What activities do you intend to carry out?
The activities you plan to carry out are referred to as NACE-BEL codes. This is a long and complex list of activities that are sometimes described in somewhat unusual terms. Business counters often have convenient search forms to help you quickly navigate the NACE-BEL codes.
Step 2: At what address will you carry out this activity?
Many entrepreneurs choose their home address. All official correspondence will be sent to this address, which is why the home address often turns out to be the best choice. However, it could just as easily be an external office space, for example.
Step 3: Would you like a commercial name for your business?
In the case of a sole proprietorship, the name of your business is automatically your own name, but you can always add a commercial name. Of course, make sure this commercial name does not already exist.
Step 4: Do you have a professional bank account number?
Do you need to open a business account as a sole proprietor? This is not required for sole proprietors. It can sometimes be useful, but it is not legally required.
Step 5: If necessary, can you demonstrate professional competence?
Demonstrating professional competence is no longer required in many sectors. Learn all about professional competence and its elimination on the Vlaio website. Only a very small minority still need to demonstrate professional competence, such as doctors, physical therapists, lawyers…
If you choose an activity that still requires you to demonstrate professional competence, the accredited business counter will request the necessary proof from you.
Would you like to start a business?
We make it easy for you with our starters’ guide!
What is the price of a company number?
The cost of applying for a company number is set by law. Therefore, every accredited business counter charges the same fee. The cost is currently €111.50 (2026 price). This rate is indexed annually.
What is the difference between a company number and a VAT number?
By now, you know that a CBE number and a company number are the same thing. But there is a third number in this trio: the VAT number. Are you still unsure about the difference between a company number and a VAT number?
In summary: your company number and your VAT number are identical, as they are both the same 10-digit code. However, a VAT number will be prefixed with “BE”. Not every company number will be activated for VAT purposes (and thus become a VAT number).
Fortunately, having your VAT number activated with the VAT administration can also be done through an accredited business counter. You can apply for this at the same time you apply for a company number.
The cost of activating your company number with the VAT administration varies by accredited business counter, but usually amounts to around €80. Of course, you can also do this yourself for free.
Whether your company number also becomes a VAT number depends on your activities. Here’s what this means for each category:
Entrepreneurs subject to VAT
These entrepreneurs have both a company number and a VAT number.
Entrepreneurs not subject to VAT
These entrepreneurs have a company number but no VAT number. In other words, their company number has not been activated for VAT purposes.
Entrepreneurs exempted from VAT
These entrepreneurs have both a company number and a VAT number. Despite the VAT exemption, their company number is activated for VAT administration. They are exempted from filing VAT declarations, but are essentially still subject to VAT.
We are talking here about the exemption scheme: small businesses subject to the exemption scheme, with an annual turnover of less than €25,000.
Not sure which VAT status is right for you? Be sure to read the starter’s guide.
Would you like a numerical example illustrating the differences? Then read subject to VAT, exempted from VAT or not subject to VAT.
I’ve applied for my company number, what’s next?
Congratulations! You’re now officially self-employed!
Once you’ve applied for your company number, there’s still a lot of work to be done. To help you get started, Dexxter has created a complete step-by-step guide for you, full of tips and tricks for a smooth start.
The first step after setting up your business is to start your bookkeeping. You can do this easily and affordably yourself through Dexxter. Anyone can do it, especially thanks to our free bookkeeping course. By doing your own bookkeeping, you can save over €2,000 annually.
The software includes your own, custom-generated tax timeline. It shows you all the fiscal deadlines relevant to your VAT status.
Do you have any specific questions?
That’s exactly why we’ve built a community within Dexxter. It’s a place in the app where entrepreneurs can ask questions and get answers from other entrepreneurs. Brainstorming together, in other words, to find solutions.
Start your free trial today. That way, you can take your time exploring all the features, such as creating invoices, adding daily receipts, or entering expenses. The tool automatically adapts to your VAT status, whether your business is subject to VAT, exempted from VAT, or not subject to VAT.
