Belgium imposes second temporary statutory moratorium on creditors’ rights
During this second wave of COVID, new lock-down measures have been taken. Belgium has already provided for numerous measures to mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19). In addition, the Belgian authorities have again adopted a statutory moratorium imposing a stay on creditors’ right to enforce debts, terminate existing agreements early and initiate bankruptcy proceedings. Unlike the first moratorium decided upon in March 2020 (which was in place until mid-June 2020), the new restrictions only apply with respect to companies that have been forced to close their business as a result of the second lock-down.

The specific measures taken by the federal government are bundled in the Law dated 20 December 2020 (the Law) and include a statutory moratorium from 24 December 2020 to (and including) 31 January 2021 for businesses that are or were forced to close according the Ministerial Decree of 1 November 2020, pursuant to which:
- a business affected by the coronavirus crisis cannot be declared bankrupt or, if it is a legal entity, be dissolved by a court nor can a transfer of the whole or part of its activities be forced unless (i) on the initiative of the public prosecution or a temporary director (voorlopig bewindvoerder/administrateur provisoire), or (ii) with the business’ prior consent;
- no protective or executory attachment may be granted, and no means of enforcement, including enforcement of security interests, may be taken or continued on certain assets of the business;
- agreements concluded by the business before 24 December 2020 cannot be terminated unilaterally or by the courts on the grounds of non-payment of a monetary debt due and payable under the agreement. An exception is made for employment contracts; and
- payment periods included in a homologated judicial reorganisation plan approved before or after 24 December 2020, are extended by the duration of the suspension with a corresponding extension of the maximum period of five years for the implementation of the reorganisation plan.
By taking these measures, the Belgian federal government sends a strong message to the Belgian business community affected by the second lock-down restrictions, providing additional breathing space for businesses in difficulties related to the coronavirus crisis and discouraging creditors from taking aggressive action against their debtors during the crisis.
The above measures will end automatically at midnight on 31 January 2021, unless further extended by the federal government.
Below are a number of questions and answers relating to the Law which look at some specific aspects in detail.
Marc Vermylen
Managing Partner Belgium Attorney at LawMarc Vermylen is Managing Partner of Loyens & Loeff Brussels. He is a member of Loyens & Loeff’s Banking & Finance Practice Group and heads the global Projects Team at Loyens & Loeff. He is recognised worldwide as an expert and influential lawyer in banking law and finance law.
T: +32 2 743 43 15 M: +32 475 52 31 66 E: marc.vermylen@loyensloeff.comKoen Panis
Partner Attorney at lawKoen Panis is a partner in our Brussels office where he is a member of the Banking & Finance Practice Group, the Energy Team and the Real Estate Team. He specialises in international and local finance transactions.
T: +32 2 773 23 90 M: +32 497 53 38 36 E: koen.panis@loyensloeff.comVanessa Marquette
Partner Attorney at LawVanessa Marquette, attorney at law, is a partner in the Banking and Finance Practice Group of our Brussels office and a member of the firmwide Restructuring & Insolvency team. She is recognized for her expertise in Banking and Finance with a focus on international finance law, regulated financial services, sustainable finance and banking litigation.
T: +32 2 773 23 25 E: vanessa.marquette@loyensloeff.com