{"id":31105,"date":"2026-08-21T03:30:46","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T01:30:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.accountable.eu\/help-center\/switch-from-np-to-one-person-company\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T03:30:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T01:30:46","slug":"switch-from-np-to-one-person-company","status":"publish","type":"help_center","link":"https:\/\/www.accountable.eu\/en-be\/help-center\/switch-from-np-to-one-person-company\/","title":{"rendered":"Switch from NP to One-person company"},"content":{"rendered":"

In Belgium, many entrepreneurs start th<\/p>\n

eir activity as a natural person<\/b>. This status is easy to set up, quick to activate, and inexpensive.
However, as your business grows, it may become beneficial to set up a company (SRL)<\/b>. Doing so can help you better protect your personal assets, optimise your taxation, and structure your business growth.
\u200b<\/p>\n

This guide walks you through the main steps to switch from a sole trader to a company, and explains how to handle this transition in the Accountable app.<\/p>\n

\n

Why switch to a company?<\/b><\/h1>\n

Creating a company can offer several advantages:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • \n

    Taxes<\/b>: your income is taxed under corporate income tax (ISOC)<\/b>, which is often more favourable than personal income tax (IPP).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      \n
    • \n

      Asset protection<\/b>: your liability is generally limited to the company\u2019s capital. In case of debts or disputes, your private assets are better protected.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Professional image<\/b>: a company strengthens your credibility with clients, banks, and investors, and supports business growth.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Growth flexibility<\/b>: it becomes easier to hire staff, bring in partners, or expand your activities.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      To explore this further, you can read:
      \u200bWhat it means to be a one person company or partnership.<\/b><\/p>\n

      \n

      What steps are involved?<\/b><\/h1>\n

      Switching from a natural person to one-person-company involves several key steps.
      \u200b<\/p>\n

      Step 1. Prepare a financial plan<\/b><\/h2>\n

      Before setting up your company, you must prepare a financial plan covering at least two years<\/b>. It includes projected income, expenses, investments, and financing needs. This document is mandatory for the notary.<\/p>\n

      \u2192 At this stage, working with an accountant is essential<\/b><\/p>\n

      \n

      Step 2. Incorporation via a notary<\/b><\/h2>\n

      An SRL must be incorporated through a notarial deed<\/b>. This deed defines the company\u2019s articles of association: business purpose, operating rules, share distribution, etc.<\/p>\n

      \n

      Step 3. Registration with the BCE and VAT activation<\/b><\/h2>\n

      Once the deed is signed, your company is registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (BCE)<\/b>. You receive a new company number and can activate your VAT number.<\/p>\n

      \n

      Step 4. Closing your natural person activity<\/b><\/h2>\n

      If you stop your activity as a natural person, you must:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n

        Deregister from the BCE<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Regularise your tax obligations (VAT, personal income tax, social contributions)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        More information here:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • \n

          What should I do to close my business?<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          NB <\/b>: You can keep a natural person activity while creating a company (e.g. for occasional consultancy or copyright income).
          Be aware that this means two separate accounting systems and tax obligations<\/b>.<\/p>\n

          \n

          \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          Discover the key steps to set up a company in Belgium and how to manage the transition smoothly with Accountable.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","help_label":[],"class_list":["post-31105","help_center","type-help_center","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSwitch from NP to One-person company - Accountable<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.accountable.eu\/en-be\/help-center\/switch-from-np-to-one-person-company\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Switch from NP to One-person company - Accountable\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover the key steps to set up a company in Belgium and how to manage the transition smoothly with Accountable.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.accountable.eu\/en-be\/help-center\/switch-from-np-to-one-person-company\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Accountable\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.accountable.eu\\\/en-be\\\/help-center\\\/switch-from-np-to-one-person-company\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.accountable.eu\\\/en-be\\\/help-center\\\/switch-from-np-to-one-person-company\\\/\",\"name\":\"Switch from NP to One-person company - 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