Belgium: Contracts and Commercial Law

A Belgian court has suspended a €750 million casino concession after the contracting authority failed to include mandatory Foreign Subsidies Regulation notification requirements in its tender procedures. The ruling demonstrates that national courts are prepared to directly enforce FSR compliance obligations in public procurement, potentially creating new enforcement dynamics similar to those seen in State aid cases.

Belgium's Civil Code undergoes a major transformation with the introduction of Book 7 on special contracts, consolidating and modernizing rules for everyday agreements including sales, leases, and service contracts. With entry into force set for September 2027, businesses must prepare to review their standard agreements and contractual frameworks. This reform particularly impacts the real estate and construction sector through revised lease regimes, construction contract rules, and new provisions on ownersh

De Europese datastrategie introduceert nieuwe interoperabiliteitsverplichtingen voor gegevensverwerkingsdiensten en gegevensbemiddelaars. Deze verplichtingen, vastgelegd in de Dataverordening en Datagovernanceverordening, vullen het GDPR-recht op overdraagbaarheid aan en vereisen concrete aanpassingen in contracten, procedures en technische implementaties om naadloze gegevensuitwisseling te waarborgen.

Belgium's new Act of 20 April 2026 introduces a mandatory notification requirement for businesses using automatic renewal clauses in consumer contracts. Starting 1 May 2027, companies must inform consumers at least 15 days before their deadline to object to renewal, adding a proactive layer to existing contract disclosure rules.

The Belgian Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (CEPANI) has introduced revised Arbitration Rules effective June 1, 2026, designed to modernize dispute resolution through enhanced digital capabilities, clearer multiparty procedures, and integrated mediation processes.

The European Commission has published draft merger guidelines that consolidate and significantly update its analytical framework for assessing mergers, introducing new considerations for innovation, privacy, sustainability, resilience, and labor markets.

Promotions and price reductions are powerful tools in the retail sector, and are subject to legal regulations. From sales and liquidation sales to special offers...

Although its anticipated level of activity slowed down, the Belgian economy has proved to be more resilient than expected with GDP growth of 1.3% in 2023 thanks to robust private consumption...

On 23 April 2025, the European Commission (the Commission) imposed its first ever fines under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple and Meta were fined for failing to comply with their respective obligations under the DMA...