Your CBE registration under the spotlight: is everything still up to date?

New NACE-BEL codes: more than just a new classification

In 2025, the entire classification of NACE-BEL codes was revised. Companies that had registered auxiliary activities or were using codes that had been discontinued were informed by the FPS Economy about the impact of these changes on their registration with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE).

At the same time, the Belgian authorities continue to focus on improving the quality of the information recorded in the CBE. Particular attention is being paid to both the number of registered activities and whether those activities are actually carried out.

Not a revolution, but a clear trend

The VAT authorities also attach great importance to an accurate description of the economic activities a company actually performs. The CBE is increasingly following the same approach, with a strong emphasis on up-to-date and accurate data.

Companies are therefore increasingly encouraged to critically reassess their registered activities, particularly when a large number of main activities are listed.

The FPS Economy also conducts unannounced on-site inspections at company addresses on a random basis. If an inspection reveals that the registered activities do not reflect the company's actual operations, the company receives a letter requesting that its CBE registration be updated.

What does this mean for your company?

There are three key points to consider when reviewing your CBE registration:

• Only register activities that your company actually carries out.

• Register at least one main activity for each establishment unit. A maximum of five main activities may be retained.

• Critically review your secondary activities as well. Particular attention should be paid to historical, outdated or no longer relevant activities. A maximum of fifteen secondary activities serves as an indicative limit.

Why is an accurate CBE registration important?

An accurate CBE registration is much more than an administrative formality. The registered information is used in a wide range of administrative processes.

It may be relevant for subsidy and grant applications, certain processes involving the Belgian National Social Security Office (NSSO), and regulatory inspections.

In addition, the Belgian Code of Economic Law provides for administrative penalties in cases of missing or incomplete registrations. Regularly reviewing and updating your registered CBE activities can therefore help prevent disputes and administrative complications later on.

Updating your CBE activities: should you wait until November 2026?

Currently, changes to your registered activities can only be made through an accredited business counter. This involves an administrative fee of €111.50, including VAT, in accordance with the legally established tariff.

The FPS Economy has announced that existing companies and sole proprietors may be able to update their activity codes free of charge via My Enterprise from November 2026 onwards. However, further details about this procedure are not yet available.

Time for a reality check of your registered CBE activities

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Are your company's main and secondary activities still up to date?

• Are more than five main activities registered for a single establishment unit?

• Do your registered activities still reflect your company's current operations?

• Are there any registered activities that your company no longer carries out, or only performs occasionally?

Vandelanotte has been reviewing client files behind the scenes for some time and has already helped numerous clients update their registered information. Most social insurance funds have also proactively informed their clients about these changes.

Are you unsure whether your company's activities are correctly registered? A targeted review today can help prevent disputes, corrections and unnecessary administrative hassle later on.

Feel free to contact us using the contact form below.