Legal considerations for businesses during the coronavirus outbreak in Belgium
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to impact the daily lives of people around the world, the priority for companies remains, of course, the safety of their employees and of society at large.

Also important to take into account however are certain legal and tax considerations. For instance with regard to the payment of corporate income tax, corporate governance and obligations and liabilities under commercial contracts of your business.
This comprehensive guide includes the most pressing questions we have received in our different practice groups with answers in light of the current situation from a corporate, employment, tax, finance, commercial contracts and real estate law perspective.
We can imagine that you may have further questions regarding the legal requirements in relation to the coronavirus outbreak and are of course available to assist you. For more information, please visit our website or contact your trusted Loyens & Loeff advisor.
Download the pdf-version here.
The Belgian government, as well as the regional authorities, have taken a range of decisions to reduce the financial consequences of the COVID-19 measures.
We refer to our article which provides you with an overview of the most relevant measures that were taken by the competent Belgian authorities, updated on a daily basis.
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.comRobrecht Coppens
Partner Attorney at LawRobrecht Coppens is a partner in the Corporate and M&A Practice Group in Belgium and heads the firm’s multidisciplinary and cross-office Startup Team.
T: +32 2 700 10 12 E: robrecht.coppens@loyensloeff.comKris De Schutter
Partner Attorney at lawKris De Schutter is a partner in our office in Brussels and member of Loyens & Loeff’s Employment & Benefits Practice Group. He has extensive experience in alternative (flexible) remuneration, restructuring and change processes.
T: +32 2 700 10 13 E: kris.de.schutter@loyensloeff.comNatalie Reypens
Partner Attorney at LawNatalie Reypens is a member of the Loyens & Loeff International Tax Services Practice Group and heads the Belgian Transfer Pricing Team. She is a partner in our Brussels office. She focuses on corporate and international tax law.
T: +32 2 743 43 37 E: natalie.reypens@loyensloeff.comNicolas Bertrand
Partner Attorney at LawNicolas Bertrand is a partner in our Brussels office. He co-heads the Loyens & Loeff Family Owned Business & Private Wealth Practice Group in Belgium.
T: +32 2 773 23 46 E: nicolas.bertrand@loyensloeff.comAriane Brohez
Partner Attorney at LawAriane Brohez, Partner, is a member of the Real Estate practice group in our Brussels office. She focuses on real estate structuring and taxation, real estate funds and real estate investments.
T: +32 2 743 43 21 M: +32 495 21 26 59 E: ariane.brohez@loyensloeff.comChristophe Laurent
Partner Attorney at LawChristophe Laurent, Partner, heads the Real estate practice group in our Brussels office. He focuses on real estate transactions and taxation. He is also a member of the Investment Management/Funds team.
T: +32 2 743 43 05 M: +32 476 39 06 90 E: christophe.laurent@loyensloeff.comMarc Dhaene
Partner Attorney at LawMarc Dhaene is a member of the International Tax Services Practice Group and of the Tax Controversy and Litigation Team. His expertise covers a broad range of international and domestic corporate tax issues.
T: +32 2 743 43 22 E: marc.dhaene@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.comGodfried Ampe
Counsel Attorney at LawGodfried Ampe is a counsel in the Corporate /M&A Practice Group in Belgium with a specific focus on corporate structuring and investment management.
T: +32 2 743 43 27 E: godfried.ampe@loyensloeff.comJulien Lecler
Counsel Attorney at LawJulien Lecler, Counsel, is a member of the Real Estate practice group and of the Public & Administrative Law practice group in our Brussels office. He focuses on all aspects of real estate law (civil law, rights in rem, construction law, leases) including public real estate law.
T: +32 2 773 23 59 M: +32 473 71 34 39 E: julien.lecler@loyensloeff.comStéphanie De Smedt
Counsel Attorney at LawStéphanie De Smedt, attorney-at-law, is a member of the Litigation & Risk Management practice group in our Brussels office. She is head for Belgium of the IP/IT Team, the Data Protection Team and the Life Sciences Team.
T: +32 2 773 23 77 E: stephanie.de.smedt@loyensloeff.comWannes Buelens
Associate Attorney at LawWannes Buelens is a member of the Litigation & Risk Management practice group in our Brussels office. He specializes in health law, liability law and insurance law. He is also a member of the firmwide Healthcare & Life Sciences Team.
T: +32 2 773 23 72 M: +32 4 94 43 31 04 E: wannes.buelens@loyensloeff.comAubry Daerden
Senior associate Attorney at LawAubry Daerden is a senior associate in the Corporate and M&A Practice Group in Belgium.
T: +32 2 743 43 01 M: +32 4 95 24 90 96 E: aubry.daerden@loyensloeff.comEline De Ryck
Associate Attorney at LawEline De Ryck is a member of the Employment & Benefits Practice Group in Belgium and an associate in our Brussels office.
T: +32 2 743 43 76 M: +32 4 93 40 01 89 E: eline.de.ryck@loyensloeff.comOlivia Oosterlynck
Associate Attorney at LawOlivia Oosterlynck, attorney at law, is a member of the Real Estate practice group in our Brussels office. She focuses on real estate transactions and due diligence matters.
T: +32 2 700 10 45 M: +32 475 48 08 73 E: olivia.oosterlynck@loyensloeff.comCharlotte Jacques
Associate Attorney at lawCharlotte Jacques, attorney at law, is a member of the Litigation & Risk Management practice group in our Brussels office. She specialises in Commercial Law IP, IT and Data Protection & Privacy. Charlotte is also a member of the Data Protection & Privacy Team and Corporate Investigations, Compliance & Defence Team.
T: +32 2 700 10 26 E: charlotte.jacques@loyensloeff.comLinda Brosens
Of Counsel Professional support lawyerLinda Brosens is Of Counsel to the Loyens & Loeff Brussels office. She is a member of the Loyens & Loeff International Tax Services Practice Group and the Mandatory Disclosure (DAC6) Team.
T: + 32 2 700 10 20 E: linda.brosens@loyensloeff.comDanaïs Fol
Associate Attorney at LawDanaïs Fol is a member of the Employment & Benefits Practice Group in Belgium and an associate in our Brussels office.
T: +32 2 700 10 30 E: danais.fol@loyensloeff.comEllen Herinckx
Associate Attorney at LawEllen Herinckx is a member of Loyens & Loeff’s Employment & Benefits team in Belgium. She focuses on employment and labour law, restructurings and litigation.
T: +32 2 743 43 71 E: ellen.herinckx@loyensloeff.comMaria-Clara Van den Bossche
Associate Attorney at LawMaria-Clara Van den Bossche, attorney at law, is a member of the Litigation & Risk Management practice group in our Brussels office. She specializes in the resolution of complex international civil and commercial disputes.
T: +32 2 773 23 63 E: maria-clara.van.den.bossche@loyensloeff.comValentijn De Boe
Partner Attorney at LawValentijn De Boe, attorney at law, is a member of the Public and Administrative Law Practice Group in Belgium and is also a member of the Procurement Team in Brussels.
T: +32 2 773 23 33 E: valentijn.de.boe@loyensloeff.com