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A Corporate Charter is the foundational legal document that brings a company to life under Belgian law. It outlines your company's core identity, including its official name, registered address, business purpose, and initial capital structure. Think of it as your organization's birth certificate and constitution rolled into one.

In Belgium, this document (also called "statuts" in French or "statuten" in Dutch) must be filed with the commercial court and published in the Belgian Official Gazette. It sets out crucial rules about shareholder rights, board composition, and decision-making processes. Your company can't legally operate without one, and you'll need it for everything from opening bank accounts to signing contracts.

You need a Corporate Charter from day one when starting a business in Belgium. It's essential during company registration, serving as your official founding document with the commercial court and Belgian Official Gazette. Banks require it to open business accounts, and investors will scrutinize it before providing capital.

The Charter becomes crucial during major company changes too - like adding new shareholders, changing your business purpose, or restructuring the board. Belgian law requires you to update it when modifying share capital, moving your registered office, or changing fundamental company rules. Keep it accessible because notaries, accountants, and business partners frequently request it for official transactions.

• Basic Corporate Charter: The standard version for small to medium-sized Belgian companies (BV/SRL), covering essential elements like company name, purpose, and share structure
• Extended Corporate Charter: Used by larger corporations (NV/SA), with detailed provisions for multiple share classes and complex governance structures
• Professional Partnership Charter: Tailored for liberal professions like lawyers or architects, with specific clauses about professional qualifications and practice restrictions
• Social Enterprise Charter: Includes special provisions for social purpose companies (SRL/BV à finalité sociale), detailing social objectives and profit allocation rules
• Simplified Starter Charter: Designed for single-shareholder companies, with streamlined governance provisions and basic operational rules

• Company Founders: Create and sign the initial Corporate Charter when establishing the business, defining their roles and ownership stakes
• Notaries: Draft and authenticate the Charter, ensuring it complies with Belgian law and registering it with authorities
• Board Members: Follow and implement the Charter's governance rules, making decisions within its framework
• Shareholders: Bound by the Charter's provisions regarding voting rights, share transfers, and profit distribution
• Management Team: Operates within the Charter's defined scope and limitations for daily business operations
• Legal Counsel: Reviews and updates the Charter when company changes require amendments

• Basic Company Details: Prepare official company name, registered address, business purpose, and proposed duration
• Capital Structure: Determine initial share capital, number of shares, and their types or classes
• Founder Information: Gather identification details and contact information for all founding shareholders
• Management Structure: Define board composition, director appointment rules, and decision-making procedures
• Financial Planning: Outline profit distribution rules and reserve fund requirements
• Compliance Check: Our platform ensures your Charter includes all mandatory elements under Belgian law
• Notary Appointment: Schedule a meeting with a Belgian notary for official authentication

• Company Identity: Legal name, form (BV/SRL or NV/SA), registered office, and duration
• Corporate Purpose: Detailed description of business activities and objectives
• Share Capital: Initial capital amount, number and types of shares, payment terms
• Shareholder Rights: Voting procedures, profit distribution, transfer restrictions
• Management Structure: Board composition, appointment rules, powers, meeting procedures
• General Assembly: Meeting rules, voting majorities, shareholder rights
• Dissolution Rules: Procedures for company dissolution and liquidation
• Amendment Process: Rules for modifying the Charter's provisions

A Corporate Charter differs significantly from a Corporate Governance Document. While both play crucial roles in Belgian business operations, they serve distinct purposes and have different legal weights.

• Legal Status: A Corporate Charter is a mandatory founding document filed with authorities, while a Corporate Governance Document is an internal policy framework that can be modified without notarial involvement
• Scope and Content: The Charter establishes fundamental company elements like capital structure and shareholder rights; the Governance Document details operational procedures and decision-making processes
• Modification Process: Charter changes require notarial acts and publication in the Belgian Official Gazette; Governance Documents can be updated through board approval
• Binding Nature: The Charter creates legally enforceable obligations for all stakeholders; Governance Documents serve as internal guidelines and best practices