I want to supply goods or services to foreign companies: request a CBC extract!

Foreign customers, suppliers or partner companies may sometimes ask for proof that your company exists. You must therefore demonstrate that you are registered as a company in the Crossroads Bank for Companies (Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen, CBC). You do that in the form of an extract from the CBC. There are two types of extracts, both of which you can purchase from icounter.
Header

What does an extract from the CBC look like?

An extract is an official document proving that your business has been registered in the CBC, the official database of the Belgian government. It is available in four languages: Dutch, French, English and German. The extract mentions the details of your business such as the registered address and VAT number. You will also find the number of branches of your company and the activities you perform on this document.

Why do I need an extract?

When you want to deliver services or goods to companies outside Belgium. But you have to apply for an extract from the CBC if you want to invest or need a permit abroad too.

Which extract do I need?

That depends on the legalisation treaty our country has with the country you want to do business with. The treaty contains the agreements on how countries accept each other's official documents. These may differ significantly from each other, and may therefore require a different extract. There are two possibilities: either an ordinary CBC extract will suffice, or you will need additional identification.

An ordinary CBC extract is sufficient

For certain countries, no additional legalisation or Apostille is required. These are Denmark, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Latvia and Estonia. If you want to do business in one of these countries, an ordinary CBC extract is sufficient.

Request your CBC extract

An ordinary CBC extract is not sufficient

A large number of countries signed the Hague Apostille Convention on 5 October 1961. If you want to do business in one of these countries, you will need an additional legalisation of your CBC extract in the form of an Apostille stamp. You must purchase this extra when you apply for your CBC extract. Click here to find out which countries are concerned. 

What if you want to do business in a country that is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention? Then you will need a second additional legalisation, in addition to the Apostille stamp. To do so, your CBC extract must go to the embassy or consulate of the country of destination where it will receive this additional legalisation.

Icounter makes it easy for you, we determine which extract you need based on the country

 

Request your legalised extract