There are currently no sources to list for this article.
The registered office can be located at a virtual office. If you also want a tax domicile, a virtual office is not suitable.
Scroll to article
The FPS Economy imposes strict rules regarding your business address. It must be a geographically identifiable place where you can work physically. A mailbox can therefore never be an official KBO address. Renting a mailbox from bpost can be a convenient solution for receiving your mail, but you cannot use it as a business address and you cannot receive parcels there either. Renting an external business address offers many more options and is completely legal.
The terms business address, tax address and registered office are often confused. But what is the difference?
You business address is the place where you carry out your commercial activities. This is possible at multiple locations and you can choose freely. Whether you have a sole proprietorship or a company.
You tax address is the official address of your company where management takes place: where the accounts are kept and where the tax authorities can efficiently control the tax situation of a company; where the main management and management bodies are located, the general meeting of shareholders is held and, ultimately, senior management, administrative management and general interests are observed and represented.
In a sole proprietorship, that is automatically your home address. Because legally, your company is then a “natural person” without a separate legal personality. The entrepreneur and the company are considered as a whole.
The head office is the administrative address of a company, and you are free to choose that. Because a company is a “legal person” with its own legal identity. The sofa can be used at home or in a building that you rent. Although, as a starter, that is of course less interesting considering the additional costs. Renting a head office in a coworking space or business center is then a cheap alternative.
Do you work from home? Then you might prefer not to receive people in your home. Especially if you don't have a separate office. Imagine having a tax auditor come over. Then you really don't want him or her to sneak around your house, do you? It is much more pleasant and professional to have your customers at a business address to receive. Many postal service companies and business centers offer standard meeting rooms, but not all. So be sure to check what services a business center offers before you rent a business address or registered office there.
Note: Do you need a physical meeting room on a regular basis? Then inquire whether this is included in the fixed monthly price or if there is an additional cost. Otherwise, “a cheap business address” can be expensive.
Working from home offers a lot of advantages. You're never stuck in traffic and you can do a quick laundry or treat yourself to a delicious homemade lunch. Then it might be enough for you to rent a mailbox or a business mailing address. But what if you like to work on the go from time to time? Because you miss colleagues or you no longer feel inspired? A work flex desk or co-working space is the ideal answer to that. And the price is not too bad. In many business centers, you can rent a flex desk for as little as 90 euros per month, including a meeting room. Then you have an official business address to receive your mail, you are surrounded by flesh and blood people and you will receive your customers in a professional setting. Three birds with one stone!
Note: Do you want to work flexibly from time to time or rent a meeting room about four times a year? Then it already pays off to rent a fixed flex desk.
Renting a registered office (tax domicile) or a business address is in principle a cheap solution. But not if you have to pay extra to process your mail or rent a meeting place. In Belgium, you pay an average of around 90 euros per month to rent a business address for a sole trader or a company. Often including the processing of your mail (although this is usually limited to about twelve pieces per month). For small companies or companies that are mainly active online, this is more than enough. Companies that receive a lot of mail or continuously book meeting rooms usually pay a lot more.
Note: Did you know that there are special rates for accountants, administrators or file managers? Do you fall under that category? Then call on an authorized postal service and see if they offer discounted rates.
Many people consciously choose to do business. They want to be free. Work where and when they want. But what if you regularly stay abroad and have a business in Belgium? Renting a registered office or business address in a business center with a postal service is then the solution for you. Your mail is always received and processed properly, while you work with peace of mind from France, Spain or, say, Australia.
There are various ways to have your mail processed. However, always check whether your postal service is legally recognized, what they are authorized to do and how they protect your privacy. Because sometimes it can also involve sensitive or confidential information. Then it's important that you know how they deal with that. Especially if you are an administrator or a file manager. Be sure to also check how much you pay per shift, because you don't always have insight into what's coming in.
You can discover all the options below:
Receive your mail digitally
We live in a digital world where everything is rapidly advancing at a rapid pace. Do you want to closely monitor your business correspondence that you receive at your rented business address? Then have your mail forwarded online by a postal service that opens, scans and forwards your letters online. This way, you are always up to date.
Note: Parcels and registered shipments can be picked up on site or delivered to your home address.
Have your mail forwarded unopened
Would you rather not let a stranger open your letters? Then call on a postal service that delivers your letters unopened to your home address. When it suits you or at fixed times. Once a week, every two weeks, or monthly. It depends on how much mail you receive daily. You usually pay by mail item or transaction. Do you receive your mail online? Therefore, have your processed items delivered to your home or elsewhere on a regular basis.
Keep track of your mail
Sometimes you are temporarily unable to receive mail or parcels, for example because you are abroad. Then it is useful to keep your mail in custody. Once it fits, you can then pick up your letters or packages or have them forwarded to an address of your choice. This way, you can be sure that nothing is lost.
Tip 7: How to safely receive parcels, registered letters, number plates or bank cards
Parcels
Do you receive parcels on a regular basis? Then have them arrive at an approved postal company or a business center. They will then receive and/or pay them in your name. Super handy if you are often on the road.
Registered letter
What entrepreneurs often overlook is that they can also receive registered letters. Does your postal service have a specific approach to this? Or do they refuse them? Always check that carefully first and save yourself a lot of hassle.
Number plate
Are you buying a new company car? Then the DIV will send your number plate to your business address. An authorized postal service may also receive and pay for it in your name. Then you can have it sent or pick it up yourself. Most authorized postal companies also allow you to do this after office hours or at the weekend.
Bank card
Some postal items such as a bank card, a driver's license or a permit need to be handled with extra care. Inform yourself carefully and ask your postal service how they prevent loss.
Everyone values privacy, but for some professions, renting a business address is crucial to keep work and private life separate. Think of lawyers, administrators, diplomats, journalists or youth care counselors. For famous people or public figures who regularly appear in the media, it's also about safety. Think of politicians, artists, influencers and sportsmen. They need watertight guarantees to prevent their personal information from being squandered.
If you have a company, it's smart to register your registered office (or registered office/tax domicile) and business address at an approved business center, instead of at home. This way, the tax authorities cannot seize your goods and you protect your privacy. But did you know that you can also appoint a proxy holder or agent there? It then looks after your business while you are abroad or are absent for a long time. A professional business center can also help you find a local director, representative, or agent who connects your foreign company with third parties.
You can rent a business address for your sole proprietorship or company at various locations. In your region or in a major city on the other side of the country, you are free to choose that. Which location is best for you depends on a few factors. Let's list them:
Renting a prestigious business address
The location of your business can determine your appearance. Do you live in a remote region? Then you might prefer to locate your company in a slightly more prestigious location, in a spacious business center. For example, in the Avenue Louise in Brussels or in the Parc Royale. This way, you can suddenly take your image to a higher level. However, this is associated with a higher cost.
Renting a local business address
Do you prefer to look closer to home? Then you usually pay less. That's why you usually enjoy a smoother service. Because for companies that operate from major cities, communication is often a bit more difficult. They are also less flexible, which can be annoying for small entrepreneurs or sole traders.
Local specialist
There are also business centers that specialize in KBO branch addresses or specific postal services for certain sectors. They often operate locally and often also work tailored to your needs. You also usually enjoy excellent service and lower rates, because they are smaller in scale and pay less labour costs. Doesn't it matter to you where you set up your business? Then this is the best option for you.
Renting a sole proprietorship/company address, workplace or registered office?
OFFIS is an accredited business center and a local specialist. You can rent a business address for a sole proprietorship/company for as little as €69 per month. Watch our offer whether get in touch for more info.
.jpg)
.jpg)