Understanding the European statistical classification system for economic activities
NACE (Nomenclature statistique des activités économiques dans la Communauté européenne) is the European statistical classification of economic activities. It is the standard classification system used across the European Union for categorizing business activities and economic sectors.
NACE provides a framework for collecting and presenting statistical data related to economic activities in a comparable way across EU member states. It serves as the basis for economic statistics, business registers, and various administrative purposes.
NACE-BEL is the Belgian national version of the NACE classification system. While it follows the European NACE structure, it includes additional subdivisions and specifications that are relevant to the Belgian economy and administrative requirements.
NACE-BEL codes are used by Belgian businesses for official registrations, tax purposes, statistical reporting, and various administrative procedures. Every business registered in Belgium must declare their primary and secondary economic activities using NACE-BEL codes.
NACE-BEL codes follow a hierarchical structure with multiple levels of detail:
Each level provides increasingly specific categorization, allowing businesses and statisticians to classify economic activities at the appropriate level of detail for their needs.
NACE-BEL has been updated several times to reflect changes in the economy and to maintain alignment with European standards:
Based on NACE Rev. 1.1, this version was used in the early 2000s and reflected the economic structure of that period.
Based on NACE Rev. 2, this version introduced significant changes to better reflect the modern economy, including new sectors related to information technology and services.
The current version, which includes updates to reflect recent economic developments and maintains compatibility with the latest European NACE standards.
Required for company incorporation and official business registration in Belgium.
Used by tax authorities to categorize businesses for tax purposes and regulations.
Enables consistent economic data collection and analysis across different sectors.
Used in tender processes to specify the type of economic activities required.
NACE is derived from the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) developed by the United Nations. This ensures that European economic statistics can be compared internationally while maintaining the specific detail needed for European policy and analysis.
The classification is regularly reviewed and updated by Eurostat in collaboration with national statistical offices to ensure it remains relevant to the evolving European economy.
Selecting the appropriate NACE-BEL code is crucial for businesses as it affects various administrative and legal obligations. The code should reflect the primary economic activity of the business - the activity that generates the most revenue or employs the most resources.
Our search tool allows you to find the most appropriate codes by searching through descriptions in multiple languages (Dutch, French, German, and English) to ensure you can find the right classification for your business activity.
Need help? If you're unsure about which code applies to your business, consult with a business advisor or contact the relevant Belgian authorities for guidance.