What do the financial statements comprise?

The information you must include in your financial statements depends on the size of your business. You can find summaries for each business category on this page.

An enterprise falls under a specific business category if the financial statements meet at least 2 of the requirements below for 2 successive years:

 AssetsNet turnoverNumber of employees
Micro< € 450,000< € 900,000< 10 persons
Small€ 450,000 - € 7.5 million€ 900,000 - € 15 million10 - 50 persons
Medium€ 7.5 - € 25 million€ 15 - € 50 million50 - 250 persons
Large> € 25 million> € 50 million> 250 persons

Micro and small business categories

The financial statements comprise:

  • a limited balance sheet (micro)
  • an abbreviated balance sheet and explanatory notes (small)

Medium and large business categories

The following annual reports must be filed:

General informationMedium Large
Directors' reportX X
Financial annual statementMedium Large
Somewhat simplified balance sheetX  
Elaborate balance sheet  X
Simplified profit and loss accountX  
Elaborate profit and loss account  X
Elaborate explanatory notesX X
Other informationMedium Large
Audit opinionX X
Special controlling rights in the legal entity  X
Number of profit-sharing certificates, etc.X X
Important events after the balance sheet dateX X
Branch establishments, their names and countries with branch establishments  X
Provisions in the articles of association on and proposal for profit appropriation or treatment of lossX X

Signature and date of adoption

All officials of the company must sign the annual financial statement. If the legal entity has trustees, they too must all sign the financial statement. If a signature is missing, you must state the reason (art. 15 of the Annual financial statements decree).

You must provide the date of adoption on the financial statement.

Engaging an intermediary

More information can also be found in the Financial Statements Guide (pdf, in Dutch). In case of doubt, contact a financial intermediary, such as a bookkeeper, tax consultant, or accountant. This intermediary can draw up your financial reports and send them to various bodies.