Vanbelle Law Boutique

05/06/2026

A legal career begins with a single step.

This week, Joachim Sapere took that step by taking the oath as an attorney trainee before the Court of Appeal of Brussels.

A meaningful moment, not only for Joachim himself, but also for everyone who remembers their own first day at the Bar — filled with ambition, responsibility, and the awareness that the real journey is only just beginning.

The ceremony took place in the iconic Palace of Justice in Brussels, a building that has witnessed generations of lawyers, judges, and legal professionals dedicate themselves to the rule of law.

At Vanbelle Law Boutique, we are pleased to welcome Joachim as he begins this new chapter and look forward to supporting his professional development in the years ahead.

Please join us in congratulating Joachim on this important milestone and wishing him every success as he embarks on his legal career.

02/06/2026

International wealth planning increasingly requires transparency, coordination, and legal certainty across jurisdictions.

The new Belgium–Liechtenstein Convention provides an important framework for cross-border tax and wealth planning, creating both opportunities and complexity for private clients, entrepreneurs, and internationally active families.

Our latest article explores what this development means in practice — and how it may shape future cross-border planning strategies.

📖 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:
https://www.vanbellelaw.com/en/post/the-belgium-liechtenstein-convention-a-new-framework-for-cross-border-wealth-and-tax-planning

🔗 If your wealth or structures extend across jurisdictions:
https://www.vanbellelaw.com/contact

The double taxation treaty, signed on 4 May 2026 by the Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, Brigitte Haas, and the Belgian Prime Minister, Bart De Wever, currently constitutes a new instrument for wealth and tax structuring. This agreement, which has not yet been ratified, aims to prevent double taxati...

29/05/2026

“𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗻𝗼 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲, 𝗶𝗳 𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁.” — 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗔𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘂𝘀

The more closely we observe, the more nuance begins to emerge.

Yet we live in a time where opinions are often formed long before understanding.

In an age where opinions are abundant, expertise and knowledge remain rare.

At Vanbelle Law Boutique, we believe that meaningful decisions begin with understanding the subject first — and forming an opinion second.

🔗 𝗜𝗳 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗷𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁:
https://www.vanbellelaw.com/contact

26/05/2026

Last week, during a new edition of the House of Diplomacy hosted at Vanbelle Law Boutique, Jo Vanbelle explored the delicate balance between sovereign immunity, diplomatic protection, and civil responsibility.

The gathering focused not only on international legal principles, but also on the practical realities faced by local businesses and individuals interacting with foreign states and diplomatic missions.

Because behind the concept of immunity lies an important question:

How do we balance diplomatic protection with legal certainty and responsibility?

📖 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://www.vanbellelaw.com/en/post/jo-vanbelle-on-the-legal-realities-behind-foreign-state-immunity

🔗 For questions relating to diplomatic immunity, international structures, or cross-border legal complexity: https://www.vanbellelaw.com/contact

22/05/2026

“𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘂𝘀.”
— 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗡𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗺 𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗯

In practice, pressure changes the way people think.

It sharpens judgment, exposes weak assumptions, and forces stronger decisions. The same applies in business and in law.

Complex situations often demand more than technical knowledge alone.

They require clarity under pressure, strategic thinking, and the ability to adapt when circumstances become uncertain.

At Vanbelle Law Boutique, we believe resilience is not built in moments of ease — but in the situations that challenge structures to become stronger.

🔗 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗰𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀:
https://www.vanbellelaw.com/contact

19/05/2026

For years, so-called “golden visas” were presented as a gateway to mobility, opportunity, and international access.

Today, the reality is becoming more nuanced.

Across Europe, governments are reassessing these regimes — increasing scrutiny, tightening conditions, and placing greater emphasis on substance, presence, and long-term integration.

Because in practice, international mobility is no longer driven by investment alone.

Our latest article explores whether golden visas remain as attractive as they once appeared — and what investors should increasingly take into account.

📖 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲:https://www.vanbellelaw.com/en/post/are-the-so-called-golden-visas-still-as-gilded-as-they-once-were

🔗 If international relocation or cross-border structuring forms part of your future plans: https://www.vanbellelaw.com/contact

15/05/2026

Words are easy to use.

Understanding them properly is more difficult.

“𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗮𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸.”
— 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗲𝘁𝘂𝘀

In law, language is never neutral. A single word can define obligations, shift responsibilities, or change the interpretation of an entire structure.

That is why precision matters — not only in what is written, but in what is understood before it is said.

At Vanbelle Law Boutique, we believe thoughtful communication remains one of the most valuable forms of clarity.

🔗 If important matters deserve careful wording and clear structure:
https://www.vanbellelaw.com/contact

12/05/2026

Not every company structure is viewed equally by the legislator.

Particularly when substance, activity, and economic reality no longer appear aligned.

Our latest article examines how legislators and tax authorities increasingly target so-called “shell companies” — and why structures without sufficient substance can trigger significant legal and tax consequences.

Because in practice, the discussion is rarely about the existence of a company itself.

It is about the reality behind it.

📖 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲: https://www.vanbellelaw.com/en/post/when-the-legislator-targets-shell-companies

🔗 If your structure must withstand increasing scrutiny — across borders and over time: https://www.vanbellelaw.com/contact

08/05/2026

Some perspectives are inherited.

Others are formed slowly — through reading, reflection, and the willingness to think beyond familiar conclusions.

“𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼 𝘁𝗼𝗼.”
— 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗩𝗼𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲

Literature has always played a role in shaping independent thought. Not by telling us what to think — but by teaching us how to question, interpret, and reflect. In business and in law, that ability remains essential.

At Vanbelle Law Boutique, we value perspectives that are developed with nuance, curiosity, and depth — not simply repeated.

🔗 𝗜𝗳 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
https://www.vanbellelaw.com/contact

05/05/2026

Some cities make an impression.
Others continue to reveal themselves over time.

Budapest is one of them.

Last week, Jo Vanbelle spent several days in the Hungarian capital, meeting with clients and local partners — in a setting where structure and movement, day and night, naturally come together.

Because international advisory is not only about technical expertise.
It is about presence and building the right connections in the places that matter.

📖 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲:
https://www.vanbellelaw.com/en/post/budapest---a-city-that-continues-to-inspire-day-and-night

🔗 If your activities extend beyond borders — they deserve the right structure:
https://www.vanbellelaw.com/contact