Government measures in key jurisdictions 4th edition - Flipbook - Page 11
Belgium
Self-employed persons can rely on a “corona bridging
right” (“corona overbruggingsrecht”, “droit passerelle corona”), which has also been made more
flexible in the context of the Covid-19 crisis. Are eligible: self-employed who are still obliged to cease their
activities (in whole or in part) or self-employed who are practically forced to cease their
activities for at least 7 consecutive calendar days. The monthly allowance amounts to 1,291.69 euro
without family charge and 1,614.10 euro with family charge. Self-employed can apply for this bridging right
until December 2020.
Self-employed persons who can now continue their activities but had previously ceased them (at least until
3 May 2020) and suffered a loss of turnover of at least 10% in the second quarter of 2020, can apply for the
“restart bridging right” (“overbruggingsrecht heropstart”, “droit passerelle de soutien à la reprise”). The
monthly allowance amounts to 1,291,69 euro without family charge and 1,614,10 euro with family charge.
Self-employed can only apply for the right until October 2020, and cannot combine it with the “corona
bridging right”.
Please note that the bridging rights can be combined with temporary unemployment if a person works
partially as a self-employed, partially as an employee, and meets the conditions under both procedures.
The regional authorities also provide for additional premiums:
• In the Flemish region: companies who are still obliged to close can apply for a daily premium of 160
euro.
• In the Walloon region: smaller companies who are still obliged to close, or whose activities are still
heavily restricted, will be able to apply for a lump sum of 3,500 euro as of 9 September 2020.
• In the Brussels region: premiums are available for smaller companies that made preparations towards
international events (such as trade fairs), but which have been cancelled without reimbursement. The
premium amounts up to 2,500 euro.
• For the relevant topics, please refer to section Personnel at our Corona Desk topics, please refer to
section Personnel at our Corona Deskwebsite.
Insolvency
•
The Royal Decree n° 15 on the suspension of implementing executive measures and other
measures in favour of undertakings during the Covid-19 crisis was no longer applicable.
•
On April 24, 2020, a number of measures were taken to ensure the continuity of companies
during Covid-19, which also have an impact on current contracts: agreements concluded
before April 24, 2020 cannot be (unilaterally) terminated or (judicially) dissolved, in case of
late payment as a result of Covid-19. The other contractual and/or legal obligations and/or
rights of the contracting parties remain in place, such as set-off, the exception of nonexecution, the right of retention, etc.
•
This measure expired on June 17, 2020 which means that the general legal and contractual
provisions apply.
Has the government
made any changes
to insolvency
legislation?
Contractual
Issues
What measures
have been taken
to reinforce
contracts?
Government measures in key jurisdictions
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