Obtaining Business Licence and Permits in Switzerland and Belgium

The last thing you want to learn after opening your company is that you broke the law by failing to apply for the appropriate licences. You should be aware of the city, and its laws before starting any business. Every business requires an initial licence, also known as a tax enrolment document. In addition to this, other licences and permits are also required.

Licenses and permits for businesses in Belgium and Switzerland are issued by all levels of government, including civil, state, and local. Depending on the type of business you operate, you might need to submit licencing applications in several different contexts.

To know more about obtaining licences and permits for running a business in Belgium and Switzerland, you can always check the personal web portal created by Bernard de Laguiche. He is an international entrepreneur with businesses settled in Switzerland and Brazil. On his website, he has discussed all the phases of a business that he has experienced in his 40 years of journey. From there you can collate all the information which can be useful in the future.

Obtaining Licence and Permits in Belgium and Switzerland

Belgium

Entrepreneurs must engage with the relevant authorities to obtain the unique licences and permits required for conducting business in Belgium.

For Foodstuff

Entrepreneurs must apply to the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain to obtain a licence while dealing with foodstuffs. Additionally, they must abide by the laws governing personal cleanliness and pay a fee for the licence. The licence is granted for a three-year.

For Construction

An investor needs a building permit when their business is involved in construction. An environmental impact assessment can also be required by the investor depending on the type of structure. The businessman must display the business permit at the location before beginning construction work. The Fire Department will audit the point after the building is complete.

Environmental laws should also be considered by businesses. Without authorization, waste cannot be burned in the Brussels region. As the trash operation developed at the time is structured by regions, identical licences are provided by different institutions.

Belgium has its own trading rules, particularly for successful traders who conduct business inside the EU. In this situation, the EORI number is required.

Switzerland

When launching a business, registering with the Swiss Commercial Register usually suffices because a general business licence will be granted. Still, specialised licences or permits are required if business plans to operate in a certain sector.

• Financial Company – The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority, the nation’s financial authority, issues the licences (FINMA).
• Insurance Company – These businesses also need a FINMA licence, which is required.
• Transportation Company – These licences vary according to the kind of activity that the company develops (transportation of goods or persons).
• Recruitment Agency – In the event of individuals are hired as recruiters in a recruitment agency, a licence is also required.
• Casino Business – There are many gambling licences available for both traditional and internet gambling businesses.
• Lawyers, dentists, doctors, and pharmacists in Switzerland must also apply for special permits before beginning employment. For those opening hotels or restaurants in Switzerland, another specific authorization is necessary.

It is unsure what kind of licence or permit you may need for your business. However, whenever planning a start-up, always check all laws and regulations to avoid violating any rules.