What are NACE codes?
NACE stands for Nomenclature statistique des Activités économiques dans la Communauté Européenne ... or "nobody actually cares".
It's a classification system that assigns a unique code to every economic activity in Europe. In Belgium we use NACE-BEL. Same system, but with an extra digit. That's a bit like how we set up extra governments.
When registering with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE), each company is assigned one or more NACE codes. Your accountant would tick them all, but be careful: our government has a department that issues fines for this. Make sure your codes match your actual activities or that you can defend your NACE code.
How does the NACE structure work?
NACE codes are hierarchically structured in 4 levels, from broad to specific. The more digits, the more specific the activity:
Information and communication
Section: 21 main categories (A to U)
Computer programming, consultancy and related activities
Division: 2 digits
Computer programming, consultancy and related activities
Group: 3 digits
Computer programming activities
Class: 4 or 5 digits (most specific)
Overview: all 21 NACE sections (A to U)
The NACE classification is divided into 21 sections covering every economic activity in Belgium, from agriculture to extraterritorial organisations.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing
Divisions 01–03
Mining and quarrying
Divisions 05–09
Manufacturing
Divisions 10–33
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply
Divisions 35–35
Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation
Divisions 36–39
Construction
Divisions 41–43
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles
Divisions 45–47
Transportation and storage
Divisions 49–53
Accommodation and food service activities
Divisions 55–56
Information and communication
Divisions 58–63
Financial and insurance activities
Divisions 64–66
Real estate activities
Divisions 68–68
Professional, scientific and technical activities
Divisions 69–75
Administrative and support service activities
Divisions 77–82
Public administration and defence
Divisions 84–84
Education
Divisions 85–85
Human health and social work activities
Divisions 86–88
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Divisions 90–93
Other service activities
Divisions 94–96
Activities of households as employers
Divisions 97–98
Activities of extraterritorial organisations
Divisions 99–99
The 10 most popular NACE codes in Belgium
Which activities are most common among Belgian companies? These are the NACE codes with the most registered enterprises:
How to find your NACE code?
You can determine your NACE code in several ways:
- Search by keyword in our NACE code search engine. Type your activity and find the corresponding code.
- Browse through the 21 sections above and zoom in on the category that matches your activity.
- Look at similar companies on Databakkes and check which NACE codes they use.
If in doubt, your enterprise counter (e.g. Liantis, Xerius, Acerta) can help you choose the right code when registering with the CBE.
The key questions:
Is a NACE code mandatory in Belgium?
For most enterprises, yes. When registering through an enterprise counter, you must specify at least one NACE code. But some entities like public institutions, foreign entities or older registrations don't always have a NACE code, even with a VAT number.
How many NACE codes can a company have?
A company can have multiple NACE codes: one main activity and several secondary activities. There is no legal maximum, but each code must represent an actual activity.
Where can I find the NACE code of an existing company?
On Databakkes you can look up any company by name, address or VAT number. The NACE codes are on the company page under 'Activities', written in plain language.
Can you change your NACE code?
Yes. If your activities change, you can have your NACE codes updated at the CBE through an accredited enterprise counter. This is important if you want to offer a new service tomorrow that doesn't match what you're already doing.
Can I get a fine for a wrong NACE code?
Yes. The Crossroads Bank sends out checks and if your NACE codes don't match your actual activities, you risk a fine. So make sure your codes are up to date, especially if you change activities.
What if my activity is not in the NACE list?
The NACE list covers virtually every economic activity, but sometimes it's not obvious to find the right match. Choose the code closest to what you do. Your enterprise counter can help. And if nothing really fits: 82990 ('Other business support activities') is the classic where half of Belgium ends up.