New NACE-BEL codes from 2025: what do you need to know about this?
May 2025 - On 28 March 2025, the updated NACE-BEL codes officially came into force. The Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE) has automatically converted all existing economic activities to this new classification, with retroactive effect from 1 January 2025.
What does this mean for your company?
New companies established from 1 January 2025 will immediately work with the new NACE-BEL codes.
Existing enterprises (established before 2025) saw their old codes automatically replaced on 1 January 2025.
Administrative adjustment: The NSSO adjusted the codes at the beginning of 2025. VAT administration followed on 28 March 2025.
As a company, how were you informed?
The FPS Economy posted all the info on its website, but did not notify companies directly. Sector organisations and professional associations took the initiative to inform their members.
Do you have to do anything yourself?
In most cases, the transition went smoothly. If your old code matched one-to-one with a new one, it was automatically updated. However, in some sectors, such as the (para)medical world, new codes were added. Do you doubt the correctness of your new code? If so, be sure to have it corrected.
How do you correct an error?
You can correct an incorrect conversion in three ways:
For free via My Enterprise
For a fee via a recognised enterprise counter
By making a notification via the website of the FPS Economy
Important novelties since 28 March 2025
New rules for activity types
The way you have to register activities has become stricter. Activities are now divided into three clear categories:
Main activity: the activity that contributes most to your turnover, employment or another relevant criterion that you can demonstrate yourself.
Secondary activity: any other activity that produces goods or services for third parties.
Auxiliary activity: supporting activities for main and secondary activities. Note: you do not need to register these in the CBE since 28 March 2025.
Maximum of five main activities
New companies are still allowed to register a maximum of five main activities since the amendment. Other activities must be declared as additional.
Existing companies have until 30 November 2026 to adjust their registration accordingly. Those who already have more than five main activities cannot add new ones without first deleting old ones or converting them to complementary activities.
Example: Does your company currently have 12 main activities and want to add two more? Then you must first delete or reclassify two existing main activities as supplementary.
Check your data in good time!
Correct NACE-BEL registration is essential for proper administrative functioning and correct connection to government services. Check your data via My Enterprise and, if in doubt, contact your accountant or file manager.
This way you can be sure that your company is up-to-date and legally in order!
