Belgium
Belgium is a small country at the centre of the most significant industrial and urban area in Western Europe.
Since the end of the Second World War, Brussels has occupied a key position in the network of European cities thanks to its many assets (its central location in Europe, multilingual nature, pro-European policy and diverse population), all of which have served to attract the headquarters of major international institutions to the city. Belgium has been chosen as the headquarters of the European Community, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and over 1,000 major international business firms. Both the European Union and NATO are headquartered in Belgium
The Belgian banking system is controlled by the Belgian National Bank, which is responsible for all financial and monetary operations within the country. The Belgian Banking and FSMA closely supervise all activities within every sector.
Belgium has a well-developed economy and all economic sectors are well-represented in Belgium. Belgium imports nearly all of its raw materials and exports goods, mainly machinery and tra nsportation equipment, chemicals, metals and food products. Belgium has also developed an international reputation in biotechnology.
Being a member of the EU, Belgium applies the European Common External Tariff to goods entering the Union into Belgium. Customs duties are levied on an ad valorem basis. Goods originating from countries with which no agreement or established relations exist with the EU are subject to custom duties. The circulation of goods within the EU is exempt from custom duties.
Generally speaking, there are no restrictions on imports and exports of goods. There are only a few cases in which some goods may be subject to licensing requirements for import or export purposes. Some products are subject to specific restrictions under certain rules such as technical standards, anti-pollution standards, health and safety rules and labour or consumer protection rules.
Belgium is among the most attractive regions in Europe and a leading country for investment. Belgium guarantees all foreigners (companies or individuals) the freedom to set up a company or branch in the country. Foreign capital may be brought into the country without restriction. Income and operation profits may be repatriated without limit.
In order to achieve the best possible investment climate, Belgium’s regions offer a comprehensive package of incentives, which can be mixed in such a way as to offer the optimal incentives combination. They range from direct aid as payment of a grant linked to an investment to favourable fiscal schemes, labor incentives and training measures.
Foreign investors who intend to conduct commercial activities in Belgium can choose from a wide range of legal entities, with the choice depending on the business priorities.
Foreign companies operating in Belgium have to decide whether they plan to operate:
• Through a branch (incorporated under the laws of a foreign country),
• Or through a subsidiary (incorporated under Belgian law with the same legal structures as Belgian ones).
All entities must be registered. The registration number must figure on all legal documents and invoices (incoming and outgoing). For a company liable for value added tax (VAT), the registration number is also the VAT number.
The Law of Belgium is a legal system of Belgium based on the Napoleonic code. The Napoleonic code is the French civil code which was issued between 1804 and 1810. It clearly presents the French legal system. Belgium adheres to all EU laws regarding copyright and intellectual property.
The court structure of Belgium follows the French system due to influence of conquest by France. The designation of type of courts for all cases are determined by the severity and size of the offence. When the sort of court with purview has been resolved, the case will be assigned to places to be considered. There is one difference with the court system of France in Belgium, which is usage of language in the court. All the procedures held in the courts in Belgium depend on the location of the court, some use Dutch and some use French. There are also places which use both Dutch and French, typically Brussels.
Our law firm VLO provides legal services for corporate and private clients in Belgium. These services include mergers and acquisitions, business and debt restructuring, tax and tax disputes, corporate disputes, investments, bankruptcy, litigation and arbitration.
If you have questions, please us right now.
E-mail: vlolawfirm@gmail.com
Since the end of the Second World War, Brussels has occupied a key position in the network of European cities thanks to its many assets (its central location in Europe, multilingual nature, pro-European policy and diverse population), all of which have served to attract the headquarters of major international institutions to the city. Belgium has been chosen as the headquarters of the European Community, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and over 1,000 major international business firms. Both the European Union and NATO are headquartered in Belgium
The Belgian banking system is controlled by the Belgian National Bank, which is responsible for all financial and monetary operations within the country. The Belgian Banking and FSMA closely supervise all activities within every sector.
Belgium has a well-developed economy and all economic sectors are well-represented in Belgium. Belgium imports nearly all of its raw materials and exports goods, mainly machinery and tra nsportation equipment, chemicals, metals and food products. Belgium has also developed an international reputation in biotechnology.
Being a member of the EU, Belgium applies the European Common External Tariff to goods entering the Union into Belgium. Customs duties are levied on an ad valorem basis. Goods originating from countries with which no agreement or established relations exist with the EU are subject to custom duties. The circulation of goods within the EU is exempt from custom duties.
Generally speaking, there are no restrictions on imports and exports of goods. There are only a few cases in which some goods may be subject to licensing requirements for import or export purposes. Some products are subject to specific restrictions under certain rules such as technical standards, anti-pollution standards, health and safety rules and labour or consumer protection rules.
Belgium is among the most attractive regions in Europe and a leading country for investment. Belgium guarantees all foreigners (companies or individuals) the freedom to set up a company or branch in the country. Foreign capital may be brought into the country without restriction. Income and operation profits may be repatriated without limit.
In order to achieve the best possible investment climate, Belgium’s regions offer a comprehensive package of incentives, which can be mixed in such a way as to offer the optimal incentives combination. They range from direct aid as payment of a grant linked to an investment to favourable fiscal schemes, labor incentives and training measures.
Foreign investors who intend to conduct commercial activities in Belgium can choose from a wide range of legal entities, with the choice depending on the business priorities.
Foreign companies operating in Belgium have to decide whether they plan to operate:
• Through a branch (incorporated under the laws of a foreign country),
• Or through a subsidiary (incorporated under Belgian law with the same legal structures as Belgian ones).
All entities must be registered. The registration number must figure on all legal documents and invoices (incoming and outgoing). For a company liable for value added tax (VAT), the registration number is also the VAT number.
The Law of Belgium is a legal system of Belgium based on the Napoleonic code. The Napoleonic code is the French civil code which was issued between 1804 and 1810. It clearly presents the French legal system. Belgium adheres to all EU laws regarding copyright and intellectual property.
The court structure of Belgium follows the French system due to influence of conquest by France. The designation of type of courts for all cases are determined by the severity and size of the offence. When the sort of court with purview has been resolved, the case will be assigned to places to be considered. There is one difference with the court system of France in Belgium, which is usage of language in the court. All the procedures held in the courts in Belgium depend on the location of the court, some use Dutch and some use French. There are also places which use both Dutch and French, typically Brussels.
Our law firm VLO provides legal services for corporate and private clients in Belgium. These services include mergers and acquisitions, business and debt restructuring, tax and tax disputes, corporate disputes, investments, bankruptcy, litigation and arbitration.
If you have questions, please us right now.
E-mail: vlolawfirm@gmail.com
