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Belgium and the EU

Latest business news about Belgium and the European Union.

Belgium takes over EU presidency 02 January 2024, 23:01 CET
Belgium took over the rotating presidency of the EU Council from Spain on 1 January, citing defence of the rule of law, democracy and the green transition among the key priorities for its six-month tenure.

Leuven is Europe's Capital of Innovation 2020 25 September 2020, 23:57 CET
The city of Leuven in Belgium is the European Capital of Innovation 2020, in recognition of its excellent innovation concepts as well as its processes and governance models that enable ideas come to life.

EU probes alleged aid to Belgian glass producer Ducatt 19 May 2016, 23:44 CET
The EU opened an in-depth probe Thursday to assess whether EUR 40m of financial support granted by publicly-owned Flemish investment companies LRM and PMV to Belgian producer of glass for solar panels Ducatt was in line with EU state aid rules.

EUR 1.8m EU aid to help redundant Belgian workers 05 May 2016, 22:22 CET
The EU Commission is proposing to provide Belgium with EUR 1.8 million to help 488 workers made redundant by several manufacturers of construction machinery in the Wallonia region.

Belgian "Excess Profit" tax scheme - European Commission 11 January 2016, 17:19 CET
The European Commission concluded on 11 January that selective tax advantages granted by Belgium under its "excess profit" tax scheme are illegal under EU state aid rules. The scheme has benefited at least 35 multinationals mainly from the EU, who must now return unpaid taxes to Belgium.

Public holidays in Belgium 25 October 2013, 12:42 CET
Belgium has twelve official public holidays. Two of them always fall on a Sunday. Other holidays are also celebrated, but these are not official public holidays, and employers are not obliged to give their employees a day off. However, some employers do award a day's holiday in accordance with union negotiations.

Belgium: country overview 21 September 2021, 16:32 CET
Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. In recent years, political divisions between the Dutch-speaking Flemish of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. The capital city of Brussels is home to numerous international organizations including the EU and NATO.

Doing business in Belgium: Environmental rules 30 March 2012, 00:43 CET
The following guidlines provide information about the environmental regulations in Belgium that help companies run sustainable businesses without adversely impacting the environment.

Doing business in Belgium: Staff welfare 30 March 2012, 00:48 CET
Social legislation in Belgium prohibits discrimination and advocates equal opportunity and gender equality. Employers are responsible for promoting welfare within the company.

Doing business in Belgium: Sustainability 30 March 2012, 00:39 CET
The following guidlines provide information about the environmental regulations in Belgium that help companies run sustainable businesses without adversely impacting the environment.

Belgium-Umicore arrangement 'not state aid': Commission 26 May 2010, 23:27 CET
The European Commission has closed its investigation into an arrangement between Belgium and Belgian-based multinational materials technology company UMICORE, which it says does not constitute state aid.

European Commission approves restructuring of Belgian insurance company Ethias 20 May 2010, 23:19 CET
The European Commission has approved under EU state aid rules a €1.5 billion recapitalisation provided by Belgium in the context of the restructuring of Ethias, a Belgian insurer that ran into severe difficulties in 2008, in the wake of the financial crisis.

Belgium's curb on foreign students criticized by EU Court 17 April 2010, 12:05 CET
The European court of Justice has ruled that Belgium should provide evidence that a 2006 Decree, which limits the number of foreign students enrolling in medical schools to 30%, is appropriate and proportionate.

Setting up a business in Belgium 31 May 2012, 00:19 CET
In Belgium, as in many other countries, it is possible to set up a business as a sole proprietor (any natural person acting on their own account), or as a legal entity (companies).

European Commission Representation in Belgium 12 October 2009, 22:59 CET
Contacts of the European Commission representation in Belgium

Access to Finance 22 May 2012, 22:11 CET
Ownership equity is the most common form of financing when setting up a business in Belgium. At first, it is the starting capital invested in the company by its owner. Subsequently, it can also be generated earnings that are reinvested in the company.

Belgium Investment Climate 2009 12 October 2009, 22:58 CET
Belgium has traditionally maintained an open economy, highly dependent on imports and international trade for its well-being. Since WWII, foreign investment has played a vital role in the Belgian economy, providing technology and employment. Both the federal and the regional governments encourage foreign investment on a national treatment basis. Foreign corporations account for about one-third of the top 3,000 corporations in Belgium.

Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union Indicative high-level calendar - 1 January-30 June 2024 02 January 2024, 22:30 CET
Official calendar for the meetings that will be held during the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Belgium and the euro 03 February 2008, 22:49 CET
Belgium is a founding member of the European Union and was one of the first-wave EU countries to adopt the euro on 1 January 1999.

Find an office in Belgium 13 October 2009, 23:35 CET
Instant Offices Belgium

Find an office in Belgium 31 August 2006, 22:59 CET
Instant Offices Belgium

Belgium country profile 22 May 2012, 22:20 CET
Belgium is a founder member of the European Union and a member of the euro zone. It is a hereditary Constitutional Monarchy and a Federal State. The country is divided into three main regions: Flanders, Walloon and Brussels, the capital city.

Federation of Enterprise in Belgium 07 August 2006, 17:41 CET
The Federation of Enterprises in Belgium (FEB) is the only multi-sector employers' organisation representing companies in all three regions of Belgium. Its members, Belgium's leading sectoral federations, represent companies in key industrial and service sectors.

Taxation and Investment in Belgium (Deloitte) 18 June 2015, 13:55 CET
The Taxation and Investment Guides are a first stop for investors wishing to gain a working perspective on the operating conditions and investment climate – including the legal, accounting and taxation framework – in the countries covered in the Deloitte International Tax Source. In addition to the Belgium Highlights and Taxation and Investment Guide, above, country links open the door to the Deloitte International Tax Source and a wide range of materials and information on the tax consequences of doing business across borders.

Doing Business in Belgium (HLBI) 05 August 2006, 14:15 CET
Guide from HLB International, which produces a series of international booklets on accounting, taxation and company law information.

EU Presidency 02 January 2024, 22:22 CET
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union is responsible for the functioning of the EU Council, the upper house of the EU legislature. It rotates among the EU Member States every six months. The presidency is held by a national government. The presidency's function is to chair meetings of the Council, determine its agendas, set a work programme and facilitate dialogue both at Council meetings and with other EU institutions. The current presidency (as of 1 January 2024) is held by Belgium.