The Belgian government has announced a new hospitality sector code to improve business relations and promote a healthier entrepreneurial climate. The updated code, unveiled by MR-ministers Eléonore Simonet and David Clarinval on 2025-06-06 15:01:00, builds on a 2015 version and aims to protect café owners and operators from unfair contract practices.
- MR-ministers announce updated Horeca sector code
- Introduce standardized contracts and 14-day reflection
- Expand list of prohibited contract clauses
- Federation leaders praise balanced, protective measures
- Address dominance of drink suppliers in cafés
- Highlight café closure over restrictive contracts
Key changes include standardized contract documents, greater transparency on drink pricing, and a mandatory 14-day reflection period before signing agreements. The code also expands the list of forbidden clauses, targeting abusive price changes and unfair lease terminations linked to purchase quotas. However, contracts can still require mandatory purchases from specific drink suppliers.
With this new code, stakeholders hope to address growing concerns over “wurgcontracten” or strangling contracts that have troubled many Belgian café owners, especially in Brussels. But what does this mean for the future of the hospitality sector? And can these measures truly balance power between brewers, drink wholesalers, and café operators?
The new code raises important questions about fairness and transparency in Belgium’s hospitality industry. Can it prevent the dominance of drink wholesalers and brewers over café operators? Will it encourage more equitable partnerships? Key points to consider include:
- Standardized contracts improve clarity and reduce disputes.
- Transparency on drink prices empowers café owners in negotiations.
- Prohibiting unfair price changes and lease terminations protects tenants.
- Allowing mandatory purchase clauses acknowledges commercial realities.
As Belgium moves forward with this new code, ongoing dialogue between government, café owners, and suppliers will be crucial. Will this framework inspire confidence and fairness across the sector? Only time will tell, but stakeholders are encouraged to engage actively and uphold these new standards.
