Opening an online shop in Belgium: steps, rules and costs (2026)

Published on 11/08/2026 · Updated on 17/09/2026 · By Daniel Wojtkielewicz, Eazyclick.

Opening an online shop in Belgium involves less paperwork than you might think, but some steps are essential: a business registration number, VAT, mandatory website information, withdrawal rights and reliable payments. This guide covers the steps in order, Belgian rules with their sources, technical options and what a shop really costs.

How do you open an online shop in Belgium?

To open an online shop in Belgium, you need a business status (self-employed or company) registered with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, an activated VAT number, a shop displaying the required legal information, terms and conditions, an electronic payment method and a delivery or collection solution. Allow a few weeks.

The steps in order:

1. Validate your offer: which products, for whom, at what price, and with what margin after delivery and payment fees.
2. Set up or adapt your business: register with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises through a business counter, including online retail as an activity.
3. Activate VAT and choose your scheme with your accountant.
4. Choose your tool (platform, bespoke solution or shop built into your website).
5. Prepare the legal pages: legal information, terms and conditions, withdrawal rights and privacy.
6. Set up payment, delivery and returns.
7. Test a complete order before opening, from basket to refund.

What information must an online shop display?

An online shop must permanently display the business's identity, geographical address, a quick contact method such as email, business registration number and, where applicable, VAT number. Before ordering, customers must know the total price including VAT, delivery costs, withdrawal rights and the statutory guarantee.

FPS Economy publishes guidelines detailing these obligations at every stage of the sale (Information obligations in e-commerce), and a demonstration website, Infoshopping, showing where to place each item. During inspections, the Economic Inspectorate mainly finds incomplete or unclear information (FPS Economy, e-commerce awareness week): this is the first thing to get right.

Does the right of withdrawal apply to your shop?

Yes. For a distance purchase, consumers generally have 14 calendar days to withdraw without giving a reason, starting the day after receiving the product. You must inform them before they order and provide a withdrawal form. Some exceptions apply, for example to personalised or perishable products.

Source: FPS Economy, right of withdrawal for distance purchases. State in your terms and conditions who pays for returns and your refund timeframe. A two-year statutory guarantee of conformity also applies to new goods.

Which payment methods should you offer in Belgium?

In Belgium, offer at least Bancontact and credit cards: Bancontact is Belgium's national payment system. Depending on your customers, add bank transfers, mobile payments or instalments. Check your provider's transaction fees, which weigh heavily on smaller baskets.

Since 1 July 2022, every business selling to consumers must in any case offer at least one electronic payment method (FPS Economy). Online, it's essential.

Do you have to pay VAT in your overseas customers' countries?

Yes, above a threshold. When your distance sales to consumers in other European Union countries exceed 10,000 euros a year in total, VAT is due at the rate in each customer's country. You declare and pay it in Belgium through the OSS one-stop shop, without registering in each country.

Source: FPS Finance, OSS one-stop shop. Below this threshold, Belgian VAT generally applies. Your accountant can confirm which scheme applies to you.

Shopify, WooCommerce or an integrated shop: which should you choose?

Choose based on what you want to manage yourself. Shopify is quick to launch but charges for subscriptions and apps, with extra transaction fees outside Shopify Payments. Open-source WooCommerce is flexible but needs maintenance. A shop integrated into your website and managed by a provider takes the technical work off your hands.

The deciding questions:

• Who handles setup? Catalogue, payments, delivery, legal pages: this is often where projects stall.
• What is the total cost over 24 months? Subscription, paid apps, theme, payment fees and any commissions. Public platform pricing, such as the Shopify pricing page (accessed in September 2026), is your starting point; add the apps you will need.
• Does the shop run on your website and domain? Your search visibility depends on it.
• Is stock shared with your physical shop? Essential if you also sell at the counter.

How much does an online shop cost in Belgium?

An online shop has two costs: setup (catalogue, payments, delivery, legal pages, design) and monthly running costs (subscription or hosting, maintenance, payment fees). Depending on the solution, setup ranges from a modest DIY budget to several thousand euros with a provider. Always compare over 24 months.

Don't forget costs that emerge later: product photos, product descriptions, packaging, free delivery and returns. For an idea of website pricing without a shop, read how much a website costs in Belgium.

How do you open your shop with Eazyclick?

With the Full e-commerce module, your shop runs on your Eazyclick website, under your brand and on your domain. Customers pay by Bancontact or card, the money goes to your account, and Eazyclick takes no commission on sales. Your project manager sets up the shop with you.

The module includes a catalogue with variants, photos, prices and stock, order tracking from basket to dispatch with a tracking number, discount codes and a free delivery threshold. It connects to your shop's Point of sale (shared stock), Click & Collect and Loyalty.

It costs €1,490 to set up, then €99/month over 12 months or €79/month over 24 months excl. VAT. To sell at the counter with the same stock too, read our guide to till software for retailers.