The workforce in today’s market is increasingly mobile. Expatriates can move quickly from one country to another within Europe, not limited by borders. With the 2003/41/CE directive, the EU has laid down the foundation for pan-European pensions to secure the retirement of this mobile workforce.

The Belgian implementation of this directive has created an environment rich with opportunity, introducing a framework that can compete with that of any other country. The main benefits of the Belgian framework are:

• A specific legal structure for pension funds (Organization for Financing Pensions or OFP) which is suitable to administer European and world-wide pension plans;
• A very attractive taxation regime for the new pension vehicle;
• An extensive double taxation treaty network;
• Respect for national social and labor legislation;
• An established regulatory structure with attractive minimum funding requirements;
• A solid but flexible governance structure.

Our multi-disciplinary practice houses a wealth of expertise and experience of working together with our clients on the feasibility, efficiency and design of international pension plans, the setting up and hosting of international pension funds, or the planning of customised workforce schemes.