Why register in the UBO register?
By entering your data in the UBO register, the authorities can strengthen their fight against money laundering, tax fraud and the financing of terrorism. Because this allows them to identify the flesh-and-blood person behind each legal entity, the government can carry out more detailed investigations into suspicious activities.
Who is the beneficial owner in your company or other legal entity?
Not only companies but also other legal entities such as associations, (international) non-profit organisations and foundations, trusts and fiduciaries, and legal structures similar to trusts or fiduciaries are required to register in the UBO register. This registration obligation generally applies to every ‘obliged entity’, but the term UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) refers to every natural person who owns or controls that obliged entity.
Three categories of natural persons are distinguished:
Anyone who directly or indirectly holds more than 25% of the shares or voting rights.
Anyone who exercises control over your company. This may include shareholder agreements, veto rights or the authority to appoint the majority of the members of the management body...
If no UBOs can be identified under categories 1 and 2, the senior management is considered. This includes, for example, the CEO, managing director or a member of the executive board...
The first two categories are applied cumulatively, while the third category is only applied when no UBOs are identified under categories 1 and 2.
If the shareholders or directors of an obliged entity are themselves one or more legal structures, it must be determined who the shareholders or directors of those structures are. The UBO is always a natural person.
Who provides the information to the UBO register?
As a director of your company or another legal entity, you are required to provide the information about the UBO(s). However, as a UBO you also have your own responsibility, as you are obliged to share all the necessary information.
This information must also be confirmed annually. You‘ve already submitted your data but something has changed? Then you must notify the UBO register of the changes within one month.
Fortunately, our accountant advisers can take care of this obligation for you. Our PIA offices understand all too well that this requirement adds yet another administrative and time-consuming burden to your responsibilities. That is why we handle the registration and reconfirmation of your data on your behalf.
I want help with my UBO register
Which information must be registered?
The following details must be registered for companies:
If the director of your company is not Belgian, you can request a token from the FPS Economy. Alternatively, you can grant an external mandate, but this is only possible if the director has a BIS identification number. Without a BIS identification number, you must send a paper mandate to the FPS Finance.
Residential address;
The date on which you became a UBO;
National register number or BIS identification number;
The category or categories of UBOs to which you belong;
Whether you are a UBO alone or jointly with others;
All documents proving that the information about the UBO is correct, accurate and up to date;
Indicate whether you are a direct or indirect UBO;
The details of all intermediaries are required for an indirect UBO.
Who can access your UBO information?
In addition to certain authorities such as the police, the public prosecutor’s office and the tax authorities, professional groups that are required to collect data as part of client due diligence, such as accountants, notaries and lawyers, also have access to the UBO register.
Fortunately, not all information is visible to everyone. Your national register number and residential address, for example, remain hidden from those who must demonstrate a legitimate interest. In addition, if there is a risk linked to your data, you can request that your information be further restricted.
I want help with my UBO register
Possible sanctions for non-compliance
As a director or manager, there are three situations where you risk an administrative fine of between €250 and €50,000:
If you fail to provide the required information to the UBO register (on time);
If you provide incomplete or incorrect information;
If you do not confirm or update the required information at least once a year.
UBOs who do not provide their information to the relevant company may also face a similar fine.
Removal from the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises
In addition to the above sanctions, your company or association may also be automatically removed from the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises (CBE). The General Administration of the Treasury of the FPS Finance recently removed 20,795 entities from the CBE. Through this action, the CBE aims to encourage the delisted entities to comply with anti-money laundering legislation and to identify inactive entities. Attention: in a second phase, more than 8,000 additional entities will also be removed. These removals are visible to all public authorities and citizens who consult the CBE through its website.
Such automatic removal takes place in the following situations:
Failure to provide information to the UBO register and publication in the Belgian Official Gazette over the past seven years.
Failure to comply with the obligation to provide information to the UBO register within 60 days after the imposition of an administrative fine.
Failure to comply with the obligation to update the information annually.
What is changing and what is coming next?
In October 2025, Member of Parliament Vincent Van Quickenborne advocated a thorough simplification of the UBO register in the Finance Committee. Minister Jan Jambon confirmed that work is underway on a new, more user-friendly version of the register, with links to MyMinfin, the National Register, the CBE and eStox.
Thanks to these connections, information will only need to be entered once, significantly reducing the administrative burden. The updated version is expected in mid-2026. Good news, especially for small businesses.
I want help with my UBO register
How do PIA Group and its offices support you in this?
At PIA Group, we understand this is one of those “do I really have to do this again” tasks that you would rather outsource so that you can focus on what truly matters: your business or non-profit organisation. That is why we are happy to assist you with the registration and/or annual reconfirmation in the UBO register.
Even if nothing has changed, we ensure that everything remains fully compliant. And once the simplified link is introduced in 2026, we will guide you so that your company can make the most of it.
Would you like our help with the registration or reconfirmation of your company or non-profit organisation in the UBO register? Do not hesitate to contact a PIA Group office in your area. Our experts will be happy to assist you.
