Belgium COVID-19 Resources
o The Belgian government has taken several measures in response to the crisis. The Belgian government is informing companies on shortening working hours in response to the coronavirus. Existing financial instruments for SMEs, such as the SME growth subsidy can be used by SMEs, particularly where supply chains are impacted.
o On 10 March, the government announced further measures, including:
- New options for firms wishing to have recourse to partial unemployment for force majeure. Provisions for temporary unemployment are prolonged by three months, with approval of requests within 3-4 days;
- An optional deferral of VAT payment, social contributions and corporate tax;
- Reduced social contributions for self-employed conditional on proving a decrease in revenue due to the outbreak;
- Cancellation or deferral of social contributions for the self-employed;
- Income replacement for the self-employed,
- Suspension of penalties for suppliers failing to fulfil government contracts.
o On 20 March, the government announced further measures to support SMEs, including:
- UNE series of payment deferrals are planned in terms of taxation (2 months) and social contributions (deferral for the first two quarters).
- Providers who have entered into federal public contracts will not receive any penalty for delay in the performance of these contracts if they face difficulties due to COVID-19.
o Belgian regional governments have taken measures as well:
- On 19 March, Brussels capital, amongst other measures, introduced a €4k payment for companies that have to close their doors, €2k for hairdressers, a deferral of city tax for the first semester of 2020, guarantees on bank loans of €20M, easier access to loans and a moratorium on debt repayments to Finance & Invest Brussels;
- For Flanders, measures include: €100M in crisis guarantees for companies, €4k payment for companies that have to close their doors;
- For Wallonia, measures include: €5k payment that have to close their doors, €2.5k for companies that have to adjust their opening hours; possible waiver of utility payments, and; guarantees for loans to companies.
o Also, here is a link to regularly updated overview of Belgian measures for businesses