How many public limited companies (SA/NV) are there in Belgium?

Last updated: 23 April 2026

How many public limited companies (SA/NV) are there in Belgium? Er zijn 79,062 actieve NVs in België. Dat is 4.1% van alle Belgische bedrijven.

Short answer

Er zijn 79,062 actieve NVs in België (4.1% van alle bedrijven). De gemiddelde NV is 32 jaar en 8 maanden oud. Afgelopen maand werden er 29 nieuwe NVs opgericht.

1. How many public limited companies (SA/NV) are there in Belgium? The numbers.

Volgens de Kruispuntbank van Ondernemingen (KBO) zijn er 79,062 actieve NVs in België, op een totaal van 1,950,527 actieve bedrijven.

79,062

Active

4.1%

Of all companies

29

New this month

32j 8m

Average age

2. In which cities are most NVs?

Most NVs Antwerpen (4,879), followed by Brussel, Gent, Elsene, Ukkel.

1 Antwerpen
4,879
2 Brussel
3,841
3 Gent
2,281
4 Elsene
1,848
5 Ukkel
1,462

3. In which sectors are NVs?

The most popular sector for NVs: Activiteiten van adviesbureaus op het gebied van bedrijfsvoering en overig managementadvies (4,348 companies).

1 Activiteiten van adviesbureaus op het gebied van bedrijfsvoering en overig managementadvies
4,348
2 Overige adviesbureaus op het gebied van bedrijfsbeheer; adviesbureaus op het gebied van bedrijfsvoering
4,185
3 Activiteiten van holdings
3,349
4 Holdings
3,295
5 Verhuur en exploitatie van eigen of geleased residentieel onroerend goed, exclusief sociale woningen
2,615

Age distribution

How old are the active NVs? The chart shows the number of NVs.

02,4784,9567,4349,9120j10j20j30j40j50jLeeftijd (jaren)

6. What is a NV?

The NV (Naamloze Vennootschap / Société Anonyme) is the most formal and prestigious company form in Belgium. You choose an NV if you want to list on the stock exchange, issue bonds, or raise significant capital from investors. Shares are freely transferable (unlike a BV), making it easier to attract investors or trade shares.

What makes an NV unique compared to a BV? The NV can be listed on the stock exchange, can issue bonds and other securities, and shares are freely tradeable without the approval of other shareholders. The minimum capital of €61,500 builds trust with major clients, banks and suppliers. The downside: a board of directors is mandatory (or a sole director), administration is heavier, and incorporation costs are higher. Banks, insurance companies and listed companies are legally required to be an NV.

Read more about the pros and cons of a NV →

4. Comparison with other legal forms

How do NVs?

Look up a NV?

Search by name, address or VAT number and find all info directly.

7. Frequently asked questions

How many public limited companies (SA/NV) are there in Belgium?

79,062 active / 79,062 total.

What percentage of all Belgian companies is a NV?

NVs: 4.1% (1,950,527 companies).

In which cities are most NVs?

Antwerpen (4,879), Brussel (3,841), Gent (2,281), Elsene (1,848), Ukkel (1,462).

How old is the average NV?

32j 8m.

Where can I look up NVs?

Databakkes.be

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