Luxembourg Insights Newsletter Fall Edition 2023
Luxembourg Insights Newsletter Fall Edition 2023
Fall 2023
Simmons & Simmons Luxembourg LLP
1
Swipe to continue Content
2
Swipe to continue Content
3
Swipe to continue Content
Corporate
• Law of 7 July 2023 on the use of digital tools and processes in corporate law
• Amendments to Luxembourg legislations
• Law of 7 August 2023 on business preservation and modernisation of
bankruptcy law
• Draft bill of law number 8296
Content
Digital
• New proposal on artificial intelligence (Artificial Intelligence
Draft Act) for upcoming fourth political trilogue
4
Swipe to continue Content
REGULATORY
REGULATORY
6
Swipe to continue Content
TAX
• Luxembourg Proposes Draft Law for Global Minimum Tax Implementation
• European Commission proposes BEFIT Directive
• EU proposes a Transfer Pricing Directive
• Update of the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions
• DAC 8 Adopted
Content
7
01 - Asset Management & Investment Funds
Asset Management &
Swipe to continue Investment Funds
03 Aug.
CSSF Thematic Review on the implementation of
2023 sustainability
On 3 August 2023, the CSSF issued a thematic review covering the implementation of the SFDR, Taxonomy and
the AIFMD and the UCITS Directive in relation to the integration of sustainability risks in the investment fund
industry, based on inspections conducted on 6 April 2023.
The objective of this review is to inform the investment fund industry of identified weaknesses, to remind the
relevant parties of their obligations and to clarify the requirements under the SFDR and Taxonomy. In this
context, the CSSF provided observations and expectations regarding the organisational arrangement of IFMs,
pre-contractual disclosures, website disclosures, periodic disclosures, fund documents and marketing
communications and portfolio analysis.
8
01 - Asset Management & Investment Funds
Asset Management &
Swipe to continue Investment Funds
On 17 August 2023, the CSSF published its FAQ on virtual asset service providers ("VASPs").
In respect of AIFs investing directly or indirectly in virtual assets (noting specific conditions apply for funds-of-
fund strategy), the CSSF requires the AIFM to obtain prior authorisation from the CSSF for the strategy “Other-
Other Fund-Virtual assets” as VASP.
As defined in Article 1 (20c) of the Law of 12 November 2004 on the fight against money laundering and terrorist
financing (as amended) (the “AML/CTF Law”), VASPs are subject to AML/CTF obligations, in particular the
performance of a ML/TF risk assessment covering at least the following risks factors: the customers, the
countries or geographic areas, the products (including without being limited to the virtual assets), services,
transactions and the delivery channels.
9
01 - Asset Management & Investment Funds
Asset Management &
Swipe to continue Investment Funds
On 22 September 2023, the CSSF published technical guidance on AIFM Reporting. The
document provides guidance on topics such as:
• specifications of the reporting files, further defined in the AIFMD Reporting – XML documents published by
ESMA;
• the transmission of the AIFM and AIF reporting files to the CSSF;
• CSSF return files;
• the procedure to register as a sender;
• contact information; and
• a description of controls, error codes and error messages received in the return files to an AIFM or AIF
reporting file.
11
01 - Asset Management & Investment Funds
Asset Management &
Swipe to continue Investment Funds
16 Oct
2023
Circular 23/843
On 16 October 2023, the CSSF published Circular CSSF 23/843 on the adoption of the EBA
guidelines on policies and controls for the effective management of money laundering and
terrorist financing factors when providing access to financial services.
The CSSF Circular 23/843 is applicable to all credit and financial institutions, as defined in Article 1(3) and (3a) of
the AML/CTF Law.
The EBA guidelines include key information for credit and financial institutions on the steps that should be taken
to facilitate access to financial services by those categories of consumers highlighted as particularly vulnerable
to unwarranted “de-risking” (i.e. decisions taken by credit or financial institutions not to provide services to
customers in certain risk categories).
12
01 - Asset Management & Investment Funds
Asset Management &
Swipe to continue Investment Funds
As of 2 January 2024, Circular 11/509 on UCITS notification procedures shall be repealed with more details to
be provided in December with the publication of a new version of the user guide.
13
01 - Asset Management & Investment Funds
Asset Management &
Swipe to continue Investment Funds
On 17 November 2023, the CSSF published an update to the FAQ concerning SIFs and
SICARs that do not qualify as AIFs.
The update aims at replacing the term “Central Administration” and other linked functions
by “UCI administrator” in line with CSSF Circular 22/811 on UCI administrator.
More information: FAQ on SICARs, FAQ concerning SIFs and SICARs that do not qualify as AIFs, FAQ on the Law
of 28 July 2014 regarding immobilisation of bearer shares and units
14
01 - Asset Management & Investment Funds
Asset Management &
Swipe to continue Investment Funds
Circular CSSF 19/708 clarified the procedures for the electronic transmission of specific
documents to the CSSF using a secure infrastructure accepted by the CSSF.
The annex to this new CSSF circular lists the documents that must now be transmitted exclusively by
electronic means, document types and the required nomenclature.
The CSSF provides further clarification regarding the closing documents to be transmitted as mentioned in
point 3 of Annex 2 of Circular CSSF 18/698.
15
01 - Asset Management & Investment Funds
Asset Management &
Swipe to continue Investment Funds
The CSSF has published Circulars CSSF 21/788, 21/789, and 21/790, introducing new
reports for improved risk-based supervision of investment fund managers (IFMs) and
undertakings for collective investment (UCIs) for both prudential and AML/CFT purposes.
The new reports are available in the CISERO module on the CSSF eDesk Portal as of 15 November 2023 for
IFMs and UCIs with a financial year-end 31 December 2023 and 31 January 2024. The reports with a financial
year-end after 31 January 2024, will be made available three months before the respective year-end.
16
01 - Asset Management & Investment Funds
Asset Management &
Swipe to continue Investment Funds
By means of reminder, the CSSF clarified on 3 November 2021 that UCITS’ ancillary liquid assets should be
limited to bank deposits as sight such as cash held in current accounts with a bank accessible at any time and
the holding of such assets should be limited to 20% of the net assets of a UCITS.
In the context of article 77 (2) (a) of the Law of 2010 applicable to feeder UCITS, the CSSF further elaborated
that ancillary liquid assets of feeder UCITS may include highly liquid assets such as deposits with a credit
institution, money market instruments and money market funds in addition to bank deposits as sight
mentioned above.
Pursuant to article 77 (2) of the Law of 2010, a feeder UCITS may hold up to 15% of its assets in such ancillary
liquid assets.
17
Swipe to continue Banking
02 – Banking, Finance & Capital Markets
04 Oct.
The CSSF published a report on profit and loss accounts
2023 of credit institutions
On 4 October 2023, the CSSF has published a report on the profit and loss accounts of credit
institutions as at 30 June 2023. The Luxembourg banking sector has seen its profit before
provisions and taxes rise to EUR 4,361.8 million in the first six months of 2023, a remarkable
growth of 43.4% compared to the same period in 2022. Net interest income, which increased
for 82% of banks, has been the main driver of this performance, with a surge of 67.2%
compared to the same period in 2022. This report provides that this was due to the overall
increase in interest rates. As a result, the average cost-to-income ratio improved from 57% in
the first half of 2022 to 49% in the first half of 2023.
18
Swipe to continue Banking
02 - Banking, Finance & Capital Markets
10 Oct.
The CSSF published a report on diversity in the
2023 Luxembourg banking sector
On 10 October 2023, the CSSF published a report on the results of a survey launched in April
2023 on diversity within the management bodies of less significant credit institutions (the
“LSIs”) of the financial sector. A general observation reveals that within the credit
institutions, investment firms, and payment institutions/electronic money institutions of the
financial sector, women held approximately 16.3% of management positions. They comprised
16.4% of management roles in supervisory functions and 16.2% in management functions.
It's worth noting that nearly a quarter of LSIs had not implemented any diversity policies as of
December 31, 2022. Furthermore, close to 97% of LSIs predominantly had male-dominated
management bodies. Approximately 25% of LSIs had no female members in their
management bodies by the end of 2022. Therefore, the CSSF observed that the progress in
terms of diversity in the market is relatively slow.
19
Swipe to continue Banking
02 - Banking, Finance & Capital Markets
On 12 October 2023, the CSSF published a press release concerning the dissolution of
Fortuna Banque s.c. The Luxembourg Tribunal d’arrondissement (District Court) for
commercial matters has decided, on 12 October 2023, to dissolve and liquidate the
Luxembourg-based credit institution Fortuna Banque s.c.. This judgement is related to the
termination of banking activities of Fortuna Banque s.c., which was publicly announced in
August 2022. As a consequence, the SIIL, the investor compensation scheme of Luxembourg,
has been triggered.
20
Swipe to continue Banking
02 – Banking, Finance & Capital Markets
01 Nov.
New law on the preservation of businesses and
2023 modernisation of insolvency law
On 1 November 2023, the new Luxembourg law on the preservation of businesses and
modernisation of insolvency law, derived from Draft Bill No. 6539A, entered into force (the
“Law”). The Law was adopted on 19 July 2023 in order to modernise the existing insolvency
framework, implementing the EU Directive 2019/1023 of the European Parliament and the
Council of 20 June 2019 on preventive restructuring frameworks. The Law applies to all
commercial companies, including special limited partnerships, traders, artisans and civil
companies. Importantly, it excludes specific entities like credit institutions, investment firms,
regulated securitisation vehicles, insurance and reinsurance companies, a majority of
financial sector companies (including investment funds), pension funds and law firms from its
scope.
The Law introduces two reorganization procedures:
• a judicial procedure.
In particular, the judicial reorganisation procedure aims to preserve and oversee the continuity of a company's
assets or activities. It can be initiated to secure a stay for amicable agreement, obtain creditor approval for a
reorganisation plan, or facilitate court-ordered transfer of assets. The application for this procedure may have
specific objectives tailored to each business or segment. Both these procedures serve as modern alternatives,
supplanting outdated approaches such as composition with creditors, controlled management, and the
21
moratorium or suspension of payments.
Swipe to continue Banking
02 – Banking, Finance & Capital Markets
On 6 September 2023, ICMA (the International Capital Market Association) together with the
International Finance Corporation (the “IFC”), United Nations Global Compact (the “UN
Global Compact”), United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (the “UNEP FI”),
and the Asian Development Bank (the “ADB”) released a global practitioner's guide for bonds
to finance the sustainable blue economy.
The Guidance is built upon established market standards that serve as the foundation for the global sustainable
bond markets, including the Green Bond Principles, and it incorporates existing specialised guidance related to
sustainable ocean finance, including UNEP FI's Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles and associated
Blue Finance Guidance, the UN Global Compact's Practical Guidance to Issue a Blue Bonds and Sustainable
Ocean Principles, the Asian Development Bank's Ocean Finance Framework and Green and Blue Bond
Framework, as well as the IFC's Guidelines for Blue Finance.
This voluntary guidance offers market participants clear criteria, practices, and examples for the issuance and
lending of "blue bonds." Developed from inputs from financial market, the ocean industry and global institutions,
it gives insights into the essential components of launching a credible "blue bond," how to assess the
environmental impact of "blue projects", and the necessary steps to facilitate transactions that uphold the
market's integrity.
22
Swipe to continue Banking
02 – Banking, Finance & Capital Markets
05 Oct.
ESMA launched a Call for Evidence on the shortening of
2023 the settlement cycle
On 5 October 2023, the ESMA launched a Call for Evidence (the “CfE”) on the shortening of
the settlement cycle. The CfE is aimed at assisting ESMA in evaluating the potential
advantages and drawbacks of reducing the settlement cycle in the EU. It also aims to
determine whether any regulatory measures are necessary to mitigate the impact on EU
market participants due to the planned shortening of the settlement cycle to T+1 in other
states, such as the United States. ESMA is actively seeking input, including quantitative data,
from all stakeholders engaged in financial markets, not limited to those within financial
market infrastructures. Stakeholders are invited to provide their input by 15 December 2023.
23
Swipe to continue Banking
02 – Banking, Finance & Capital Markets
On 23 October 2023, the European Council approved a regulation establishing the 'European
green bond standard' to set uniform criteria for environmentally sustainable bonds. This
supports the EU's strategy for financing sustainable growth and a climate-neutral economy,
promoting consistency in the green bond market. The regulation includes a registration
system and supervisory framework for external reviewers. To prevent greenwashing,
voluntary disclosure requirements are extended to other environmentally sustainable and
sustainability-linked bonds in the EU. Proceeds from European green bonds must align with
the EU Taxonomy for sustainable activities, with a 15% flexibility allowance for uncovered
sectors. The use of this allowance will be reassessed as Europe progresses toward climate
neutrality and more green investment opportunities emerge.
24
Swipe to continue Banking
02 – Banking, Finance & Capital Markets
On 9 November 2023, the Luxembourg Capital Market Association (the “LuxCMA”) published
a guidance note for board members focusing on direct lending with securitisation vehicle as
originator. In Luxembourg, a securitisation vehicle is able to originate loans without requiring
a specific license. The guidance note illustrates the key elements, the common reporting, the
parties and the lending process in a direct lending structure. In particular, the key elements
and the parties remain consistent with other securitization forms, with minor variations
observed primarily in terms of risk management and the approval process for borrowers.
25
Swipe to continue Corporate
07 July
Law of 7 July 2023 on the use of digital tools and
2023 processes in corporate law
On 18 July 2023, the Luxembourg Official Gazette published information on the new law of 7 July 2023 (the
03 – Corporate
Law), transposing Directive (EU) 2019/1151 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019
amending Directive (EU) 2017/1132 as regards the use of digital tools and processes in corporate law. The
Law, which will come into force on 1 August 2023, will also amend existing Luxembourg legislations,
particularly:
• the Civil code, notably allowing for the creation of authentic electronic instruments and deeds, subject to
specific conditions ensuring identification, content integrity, and human-readable representation;
• the amended law of 9 December 1976 on the organisation of notaries, including provisions for electronic
signatures, remote identification, and the establishment of an electronic exchange platform;
• the amended law of 10 August 1915 on commercial companies, addressing online incorporation
procedures; and,
• the amended law of 19 December 2002 on the Trade and Companies’ register (Registre de Commerce et
des Sociétés) and the accounting and annual accounts of undertakings, emphasizing electronic filing and
advanced electronic signatures for integrity and origin assurance, as regards the registration of branches
created in Luxembourg and other EU Member States.
26
Swipe to continue Corporate
Various amendments to Luxembourg legislations were published in the Luxembourg Official Gazette at the
03 – Corporate
On 7 August 2023, publication n°515/2023 instructed amendments to the following laws, further to the
decision of the Chamber of Deputies of 19 July 2023 and that of the Council of State of 21 July 2023:
• the law of 10 August 1915 on commercial companies, as amended (the 1915 Law), amongst others in
relation to the quorum and majority calculations in shareholder meetings;
• the law of 19 December 2002 on the Trade and Companies’ register (Registre de Commerce et des
Sociétés) and the accounting and annual accounts of undertakings, as amended (the 2002 Law), amongst
others the insertion of a new definitions section as article 24bis;
• the law of 24 May 2011 relating to the exercise of shareholders' rights in shareholders' meetings of listed
companies (the 2011 Law), amongst others article 1 in relation to certain shareholders’ rights in such
meetings; and
27
Swipe to continue Corporate
On 15 August 2023, publication n°532/2023 then instructed, amongst others, the following amendments
03 – Corporate
which are intended to apply from the opening date of the first financial year commencing on or after 22
June 2024:
• a new chapter II quater in the 2002 Law, relating to the declaration of information on the corporate income
tax return; and
• a new point 11° within article 1500-2 of the 1915 Law, relating to the sanctions imposed to managers or
directors having failed to disclose the abovementioned information within a period of twelve months following
the end of the financial year of a company.
28
Swipe to continue Corporate
07 Aug.
Law of 7 August 2023 on business preservation and
2023 modernisation of bankruptcy law
On 18 August 2023, the Luxembourg Official Gazette published information on the new law of 7 August
03 – Corporate
2023 on business preservation and modernisation of bankruptcy law (the Law). The Law, which will come
into force on 1 November 2023, will also modify existing Luxembourg legislations, amongst others the law
of 10 August 1915 on commercial companies, as amended, and the law of 19 December 2002 on the Trade
and Companies’ register (Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés) and the accounting and annual accounts
of undertakings, as amended.
The Law intends to prevent the bankruptcy of Luxembourg companies, notably through the reorganisation of
all or part of a company’s assets and activities, with or without the assistance of a corporate conciliator (the
Reorganisation). The Reorganisation can either be made amicably, as indicated in article 11 of the Law, or be a
judicial reorganisation pursuant to articles 12 and following.
29
Swipe to continue Corporate
On 23 August 2023, the draft bill of law number 8296 (the Bill) was submitted to the Committee on the
03 – Corporate
Economy, Consumer Protection and the Internal Market in order to introduce a merger control regime into
Luxembourg law (the Merger Control). The Merger Control, which ensures transparency in corporate
mergers and acquisitions and aims to prevent negative impacts on competition as a result of mergers,
shall be carried out by the Luxembourg competition authority (Autorité de la concurrence) (the Authority).
As per the Bill, the Merger Control would apply for specific turnover thresholds and on a case-by-case basis,
and be carried out in a two-phase procedure as follows:
• Phase I consists in a first examination of the notification by the Authority. In this phase, the Authority
analyses, within 25 business days, whether a Merger Control shall apply; and
• Phase II, if applicable, consists in a detailed examination. In this phase, the Authority carries out the Merger
Control and submits its decision to the relevant parties within 90 business days.
Based on the foregoing, the Bill proposes amendments to four different Luxembourg laws, including the law of
10 August 1915 on commercial companies, as amended (the Law), and more specifically article 1020-1.
30
Swipe to continue Corporate
On 28 August 2023, the Luxembourg Official Gazette published information on the new law of 26 July 2023
03 – Corporate
amending the law of 2 September 2011 regulating access to the professions of craftsman, trader,
industrialist and certain liberal professions (the Law). The Law, which will come into force on 1 September
2023, modernises the business license, notably though the dematerialisation of the application, new
requirements for the business license holder, the simplification of administrative procedures and access
to certain craft professions and, finally, the principle of new chance after bankruptcy.
31
Swipe to continue Corporate
On 14 September 2023, the daft bill of law number 8309 (the Bill), implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2065
03 – Corporate
of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on a Single Market For Digital Services,
and amending Directive 2000/31/EC (Digital Services Act), was submitted. The Bill notably proposes to
amend the law of 30 November 2022 on competition (the Law), as amended, in relation to the Luxembourg
Register of Beneficial Owners (the RBO).
The competition authority (Autorité de la concurrence) (the Authority) was in fact designated the role of
“digital services coordinator” on 3 February 2023 and, in this context, the Bill notably proposes the
amendment of article 29 of the Law in line with the law of 13 January 2019 establishing the Beneficial Owner
Register. It is proposed to grant the Authority access to the RBO in the context of carrying out its daily
activities, giving it full access to public information about Luxembourg companies to ensure the proper
functioning of markets from a competitive point of view.
By way of reminder, since the European Court of Justice’s decision from 22 November 2022, access to the
RBO had been limited significantly for data protection reasons and has, since, been restricted to professionals
within the meaning of article 2 of the amended Act of 12 November 2004 on the fight against money
laundering and terrorist financing.
32
Swipe to continue Corporate
On 19 September 2023, the Luxembourg Official Gazette published information on the new law of 7 August
2023 on non-profit organisations and foundations (the Law). The Law, which came into force on 23 September
2023, repeals the amended law of 21 April 1928 on non-profit associations and foundations and intends to
enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of non-profit organisations and foundations in Luxembourg (the
ASBLs), making it easier for them to operate and fulfil their respective missions while ensuring compliance
with regulatory requirements.
Principal changes aim to modernise the legal framework and notably include:
• streamlined administrative procedures;
• a modernised governance;
• a tailor-made accounting system;
• new restructuring tools for transformation and merger;
• the adaptation of the initial endowment of a foundation to the economic context; and
• the procedure for administrative dissolution without liquidation.
The full text of the Law can be found here with a minor rectification to its wording, published on 3 October 2023,
available here.
On 25 September 2023, the Luxembourg Business Registers (the LBR) also published support on the data that
ASBLs have to file with the LBR during their life. The information can be found here.
33
Swipe to continue Corporate
On 25 September 2023, the Luxembourg Official Gazette published information on the new Ministerial
Regulation of 20 September 2023 amending the Ministerial Regulation of 27 May 2016 laying down the criteria
for the presentation and form of documents intended for publication in the Electronic Register of Companies
and Associations (the Regulation).
The Regulation, which came into force on 25 September 2023, aims to modernize and streamline document
submission procedures, making the process more efficient and aligned with contemporary digital standards. The
specific modifications outline requirements for document format, fonts, and layout, as well as introduce the
possibility of submitting certain documents in a machine-readable format. Additionally, they align legal references
for consistency.
34
Swipe to continue Corporate
24 Nov.
2023
Draft bill of law number 8342
03 – Corporate
On 24 November 2023, the daft bill of law number 8342 (the Bill), implementing Directive (EU) 2019/1151 of the
European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 (the Directive) on amending Directive (EU) 2017/1132
as regards the use of digital tools and processes in corporate law, and amending the amended law of 19
December 2002 on the Trade and Companies’ register (Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés) and the
accounting and annual accounts of undertakings (the Law), was submitted.
Aligning with the Directive, the Bill notably proposes amendments to the Law, introducing measures for managing
director disqualifications in Luxembourg that allows Member States to verify proposed directors' potential
management bans in other EU states using the register interconnection system.
By way of reminder, the Directive was already partially transposed by the law of 7 July 2023, focusing on critical
amendments to the Civil Code, laws on notaries, commercial companies, and the Trade and Companies’ register
(Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés).
35
Swipe to continue Corporate
On 17 October 2023, just days before the crucial fourth political trilogue scheduled for 24
October 2023, the Council of the European Union (EU Presidency) has unveiled the following
03 – Digital
new proposals for the Artificial Intelligence Draft Act (AI Draft Act):
The harmonization of data transfer rules across borders, by giving regulatory bodies greater authority to monitor
and enforce compliance with AI regulations.
Stricter guidelines for the use of AI in high-risk sectors and a particular emphasis on foundation models and
general-purpose AI (GPAI) systems. It introduces a robust ethical and liability framework that underscores the
need for transparency and accountability throughout their development and deployment. To that effect,
developers will be required to detail the decision-making processes of their AI models and to implement anti-
bias mechanisms.
The requirement for providers of foundation models to respect and uphold copyright regulations, acknowledging
the intellectual property rights of content creators and innovators whose work is incorporated into AI
applications.
36
Swipe to continue Regulatory
On 12 July 2023, EBA published a statement on timely preparatory steps towards the application of the
Markets in Crypto-assets Regulation (the “MiCA Regulation”) to asset-referenced and e-money tokens. The
04 - Regulatory
statement aims to guide financial institutions and other undertakings who intend to offer asset-referenced
tokens (ARTs) or electronic money tokens (EMTs) before the MiCA Regulation becomes applicable on 30
June 2024.
It also provides some principles that these entities should follow in order to reduce the risks of abrupt and
disruptive changes in their business models and to protect consumers. The principles cover aspects such as
disclosures, fair treatment, governance, risk management, reserve, recovery and redemption arrangements
and communication with the competent authorities. The statement reminds consumers that ARTs and EMTs
are not regulated by MiCA until the application date and advises them to be cautious and check the joint-ESA
warning before acquiring crypto-assets.
EBA also published a template for the transmission of information to the relevant authority to be used in the
transition period from the entry into force of MiCA to the application date, i.e. 12 months from the entry into
force. This template can be found in the following link: Template-Statement-on-timely-preparatory-steps-
towards-the-application-of-MiCAR.pdf (cssf.lu)
37
Swipe to continue Regulatory
On 4 August 2023, Luxembourg Parliament published a law proposal on the issuance of debt securities by
the European Commission as part of the diversified financing strategy. The proposed law aims at making
the operations of borrowing and debt management more efficient in the context of financing EU and
European Atomic Energy Community (the “Euratom”) programmes and instruments. It clarifies the
procedures for issuing securities of the EU or the Euratom under Luxembourg law, without delivery to a
third party and without compensation at the time of their creation.
38
Swipe to continue Regulatory
04 Aug.
2023
DORA bill published
On 4 August 2023, the Luxembourg Parliament published a law proposal on digital operational resilience in
the financial sector. The proposed law has a dual purpose. It aims, on the one hand, to implement DORA
04 - Regulatory
(Regulation (EU) 2022/2554 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on digital
operational resilience in the financial sector) and, on the other hand, to transpose Directive (EU) 2022/2556
of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 with regard to digital operational
resilience in the financial sector.
39
Swipe to continue Regulatory
On 04 August 2023, the CSSF communicated that it will no longer use fax to send and receive documents
04 - Regulatory
and all other contact details remain the same. It also published a list of telephone numbers and email
addresses for specific matters. For other filings the CSSF has gradually move to its own electronic
platform, e-Desk.).
For more information please see the publication here and here.
40
Swipe to continue Regulatory
On 17 August 2023, the CSSF published the answers to some frequently asked questions on VASPs as
04 - Regulatory
defined in the Law of 12 November 2004 on the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing (the
“AML/CTF Law”). After giving a definition of virtual asset (the “VA”), which by way of reminder is “xxx”, the
CSSF specified the type of service providers which could be subject to registration as VASPs. In particular,
any natural or legal person established in Luxembourg or that offers VA-related services on the Luxembourg
market on behalf of customers or for its customers, must register as a VASP in the CSSF register.
The CSSF provides a non-exhaustive list of VA-services that requires registration, such as:
• the exchange between VAs and fiat currencies, including the service of exchange between virtual currencies
and fiat currencies,
• the exchange between one or more forms of VA.
• the transfer of VAs,
• the safekeeping or administration of VAs or instruments enabling control over VAs, including custodian
wallet service, and
• the participation in and provision of financial services related to an issuer’s offer or sale of VAs.
It also includes credit institutions that provide these services but excludes the entities who provide solely
either the hardware or the software to design and support the offering of VA services.
The CSSF highlighted that VASPs must apply enhanced measures to mitigate the highest risks related to
money laundering and terrorism financing and that they must implement and adapt a Risk-Based Approach to
these risks. It referred to CSSF Circular 11/529 for the requirements to be considered by VASPs in their
AML/CFT risk assessment such as the customers, the countries or geographic areas, the products, the
services, the transactions and the delivery channels.
For more information, please click here.
41
Swipe to continue Regulatory
On 14 September 2023, the European Commission launched a targeted consultation and a public consultation to
seek feedback on SFDR (the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation). The Commission is primarily soliciting input
04 - Regulatory
through a set of open-ended questions. Respondents have the opportunity to provide their perspectives by rating on
a scale from 1 to 5, with an additional text box available for more detailed comments. The targeted consultation is a
focused consultation designed to pinpoint any deficiencies in the regulation and to explore potential avenues for
enhancing the framework. On the other hand, the public consultation concerns the practical effectiveness of the
SFDR and the potential challenges that stakeholders could encounter while putting it into practice, specifically in its
relationship with other sustainable finance regulations. In each case, the consultation period is open until 15
December 2023.
42
Swipe to continue Regulatory
On 15 September 2023, the CSSF published Circular CSSF 23/840 on the application of ESMA’s MiFID II product
governance requirements guidelines. This text aims to provide guidance on how to apply some of the MiFID II
04 - Regulatory
product governance requirements in a consistent and harmonised way across the EU. The rules in question are those
related to: the management body, the organisational requirements, the general principles and information to clients,
the product governance obligations for investment firms manufacturing financial instruments and the product
governance obligations for distributors as set in MiFID II and in the MiFID II Delegated Directive.
43
Swipe to continue Regulatory
On 27 September 2023, the FATF published the mutual evaluation report of Luxembourg carried out as part of its 4th
cycle of mutual evaluations. FATF acknowledges the high standard of Luxembourg's existing framework regarding the
04 - Regulatory
fight against money laundering and terrorist financing (the “AML/CFT”) and also provides some suggestions to
enhance the effectiveness of the system. Therefore, Luxembourg has been placed under regular monitoring by FATF,
which is the best possible outcome after a mutual evaluation. The FATF report highlights the maturity of
Luxembourg's AML/CFT supervisory regime, the robustness of the market-entry controls performed by the
supervisors when licensing and registering professionals, and the increasing targeting of supervisory tools and on-
site controls. The CSSF is praised by FATF for its well-designed and risk-based AML/CFT supervisory approach.
44
Swipe to continue Regulatory
On 3 October 2023, ESMA announced the launch of a Common Supervisory Action (the “CSA”) with National
Competent Authorities (the “NCAs”) on the integration of sustainability into companies’ suitability assessment and
04 - Regulatory
product governance processes and procedures in 2024. The aim of the CSA is to evaluate the progress made by
financial intermediaries in implementing the critical sustainability requirements that became effective in 2022,
subsequent to the revisions made to the MiFID II Delegated Acts.
45
Swipe to continue Regulatory
On 5 October 2023, ESMA published a second consultation package under MiCA (the Markets in Crypto-Assets
Regulation). Through this, ESMA is asking for feedback on five draft rules, which address: sustainability indicators for
04 - Regulatory
distributed ledgers; how to disclose inside information; technical requirements for white papers; how to ensure trade
transparency and record-keeping and business continuity requirements for crypto-asset service providers.
Stakeholders should provide their feedback by 14 December 2023.
46
Swipe to continue Regulatory
On 16 October 2023, the CSSF published two circulars adopting the EBA guidelines on money laundering and terrorist
financing (the “ML/TF”) risk factors. With Circular 23/842, the CSSF applies the EBA guidelines amending the
04 - Regulatory
previous guidelines of 2021 and introducing an annex that sets out factors credit and financial institutions should
consider when assessing the ML/TF risks associated with a business relationship with customers that are not-for-
profit organisations (the “NPOs”). Through Circular 23/843, the CSSF applies the EBA Guidelines on policies and
controls for the effective management of ML/TF risks when providing access to financial services. These guidelines
further specify the policies, procedures and controls credit and financial institutions should have in place to mitigate
and effectively manage ML/TF risks, for instance, the Guidelines state that the professionals should record any
decision to reject or end a business relationship.
47
Swipe to continue Regulatory
On 18 October 2023, the new Directive (EU) 2023/2225 of the European Parliament and of the Council on credit
agreements for consumers, repealing the previous Directive 2008/48/EC, was adopted and was published in the
04 - Regulatory
Official Journal of the European Union on 30 October 2023. The Directive aims to strengthen consumer protection by
updating the existing legal framework to align with the evolving consumer credit market. This includes the
digitalization of consumer credit services, changes in consumer behaviour, and the introduction of new market
participants and products. Expanding its coverage, the Directive now includes credit agreements up to 2100,000,
eliminating the previous exclusion of loans below 2200, and incorporates various types of loans. Among others, the
primary focus of the Directive is to safeguard consumers from deceptive practices and uphold advertising standards,
particularly for individuals seeking short-term high-cost credit. Member States will have to transpose the Directive
into their national legislation by 20 November 2025 and the Directive will be applicable from 26 November 2026.
48
Swipe to continue Regulatory
On 9 November 2023, the Luxembourg Banker's Association (the “ABBL”) published the first of a series of letters on
EMIR (European Market Infrastructure Regulation). This first letter gives an overview of EMIR and the status of the
04 - Regulatory
regulation. EMIR, in force since 16 August 2012, mandates obligations for derivatives contract counterparties and
sets uniform requirements for trade repositories and central counterparties. The European Commission's assessment
in 2015 led to the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2019/834 (the “EMIR ReFIT”) in 2020, complementing EMIR. In the next
two letters, the ABBL will illustrate the recent developments in the EMIR area with EMIR ReFIT and the new technical
reporting standards applicable from April 2024. It will also give an overview of the Digital Regulatory Reporting (the
“DRR”) in cooperation with the International Swaps and Derivatives Association. The ABBL, together with the
Luxembourg Capital Market Association (the “LuxCMA”), held a conference on the subject on 23 November 2023.
49
Swipe to continue Tax
On 4 August 2023, the Luxembourg government unveiled a draft law (no. 8292) aimed at implementing the
Global Minimum Tax, aligning with EU Council Directive 2022/2553 of 15 December 2022 for consistent
taxation standards across multinational enterprise (MNE) groups and large domestic groups within the EU.
05 - Tax
The proposed law will apply to groups with a yearly revenue of at least EUR 750 million over two of the past
four fiscal years leading up to the assessed fiscal year.
For MNE groups and large domestic groups falling under these criteria, there will be an additional tax
requirement if the effective tax rate (ETR) of their individual entities in different jurisdictions falls below a
minimum rate of 15%.
The additional tax, referred to as a "top-up tax," will be implemented through two mechanisms:
• an income inclusion rule (IIR): the parent entity will have to include an amount related to the top-up tax to
ensure that low-taxed entities contribute their fair share of tax.
• an undertaxed profit rule (UTPR): acts as a fallback measure if there is still some remaining amount of top-up
tax that has not been fully collected through the IIR.
In essence, these regulations are designed to ensure that MNE groups and large domestic groups with
significant revenue do not exploit lower tax rates in certain jurisdictions, and that they contribute a fair minimum
level of taxes to the appropriate authorities.
The IIR and the QDMTT are set to take effect for fiscal years commencing on or after 31 December 2023. The
UTPR, on the other hand, will come into play one year later, applying to fiscal years beginning on or after 31
December 2024. For more information, please click here.
50
Swipe to continue Tax
On 12 September 2023, the European Commission unveiled the “Business in Europe Framework for Income
Taxation” (BEFIT) proposal.
BEFIT aims at establishing a common corporate income tax framework for EU-based groups, impacting
05 - Tax
Administrative Aspects
• A BEFIT team will handle filing obligations, with the EU-based ultimate parent as the filing entity
• Each BEFIT group member still files local tax returns subject to individual tax assessments per Member
States laws
For more information, please click here.
51
Swipe to continue Tax
The EU is gearing up for a Transfer Pricing Directive set to launch on 1 January 2026.
05 - Tax
This draft directive aims at streamlining transfer pricing practices across Member States using OECD guidelines.
Notably, it introduces a 25% participation threshold for "associated enterprises", which differs from most
national thresholds. Additionally, it requires prompt action on corresponding adjustments to prevent double
taxation, with a 180-day window for resolution.
The draft directive also outlines conditions for accepting compensating adjustments, ensuring uniformity and
explanation in taxpayer reporting.
Furthermore, it covers various aspects, from defining commercial relations to documentation requirements.
52
Swipe to continue Tax
13 Sep.
2023
DAC 8 Adopted
On 13 September 2023, the EU Council has approved the adoption of DAC8, which will amend EU regulations
on administrative cooperation and the reporting and automatic exchange of information related to crypto-
05 - Tax
asset transactions.
These rules, set to take effect in 2026, will impose tax transparency requirements on all service providers
facilitating crypto-asset transactions for EU residents. This directive will extend reporting obligations to both
domestic and cross-border transactions, including non-fungible tokens , and require financial institutions to
report e-money and central bank digital currencies.
DAC8 aims at enhancing the EU's ability to monitor and collect taxes on crypto-asset transactions in a
consistent manner across the EU and is designed to complement the Markets in Crypto-assets Regulation and
anti-money laundering rules.
As part of the efforts to ensure tax compliance, DAC8 will require crypto-asset service providers, regardless of
their location or size, to report extensive information on transactions and users, even if they are not based in the
EU but serve EU customers.
This directive also expands the scope of the automatic exchange of information regarding advance cross-border
tax rulings, including those involving high net worth individuals.
For more information, please click here.
53
Swipe to continue Tax
On 26 September 2023, the Luxembourg Administrative Court (TA 48281C) handed down a ruling in favour of
the State in a dispute involving a company accused of engaging in concealed profit distributions through a
05 - Tax
The State argued that these payments should be treated as hidden profit distributions. The court supported this
position, concluding that the TRS essentially amounted to an advance distribution of profits subject to tax.
As a result, the company’s appeal was rejected, confirming therefore the initial decision of the authorities. We
note though the specific factual background of the case at hand regarding the use of TRS.
54
Swipe to continue Tax
The dispute revolved around the existence of a PE in the United States, impacting the tax exemption for profits
and wealth allocated to it.
Despite the taxpayer's earlier tax ruling, the Luxembourg tribunal ruled that the evidence presented did not align
with the original description in the ruling, emphasizing the importance of robust legal documentation in such
cases.
55
Swipe to continue Tax
11 Oct.
2023
OECD publishes Amount A Multilateral Convention
On 11 October 2023, the OECD published the Multilateral Convention (MLC) to implement the Amount A
aspect of Pillar One of the Two-Pillar Solution to Address the Tax Challenges Arising from the Digitalisation
05 - Tax
of the Economic, which aims at redistributing taxing rights to market jurisdictions for the largest
multinational enterprises (MNEs).
The MLC, which comes into effect after ratification by at least 30 States representing at least 60% of ultimate
parent entities of in-scope MNEs, is a complex framework designed to address the digital economy's
international tax challenges and reallocate profits to market jurisdictions.
56
Swipe to continue Tax
On 17 October 2023, the EU Council updated its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes.
05 - Tax
In this latest revision, three new jurisdictions, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, and Seychelles, have been added to
the blacklist, while three others, namely the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, and Marshall Islands, have been
removed. This adjustment brings the total number of jurisdictions on the blacklist to sixteen.
Additionally, the grey list, which includes jurisdictions that have committed to improving their tax systems, saw
the removal of four jurisdictions: Jordan, Qatar, Montserrat, and Thailand.
In response to ongoing efforts to promote good governance and tax transparency, the EU will continue to
update the blacklist at least twice a year, with the next revision scheduled for February 2024.
Jurisdictions on the blacklist face various consequences, including the denial of EU financing and potential
additional defensive measures, while those on the grey list are monitored for compliance with their
commitments.
57
Swipe to continue Tax
On 18 April 2023, the Luxembourg Administrative Tribunal delivered an important decision (TA 45910) on the
constitutionality of differential treatment related to the application of the minimum net wealth tax for certain
05 - Tax
Currently, Luxembourg companies are subject to a minimum net wealth tax, with rates ranging from EUR 535 to
EUR 32,000 based on their balance sheet size. However, holding companies, are subject to a flat tax of EUR
4,815 under certain conditions.
In the case under analysis, a Luxembourg entity argued that penalizing companies solely based on their balance
sheet composition contradicted Article 10bis, Paragraph 1 of the Luxembourg Constitution.
The Luxembourg tribunal concurred with this argumentation, noting the disparity in treatment between similarly
sized entities based on their balance sheet composition, without a government-provided justification.
Consequently, the case was referred to the Constitutional Court, which will have to make a decisive ruling.
If the current tax treatment is deemed unconstitutional, it could lead to a transformation of Luxembourg's tax
framework, particularly impacting holding structures in the country.
For more information, please click here.
58
Swipe to continue Tax
On a decision (n° 00185) on the constitutionality of Luxembourg tax provisions dated 10 November 2023, the
Luxembourg Constitutional Court declared the fixed minimum net wealth tax of 04,815 levied on Société de
Participations Financières (SOPARFI) to be unconstitutional.
05 - Tax
The Constitutional Court found that the fixed minimum net wealth tax violates the fundamental principle of
equality before the law: the Court ruled that the fixed tax, which is a derogation to the standard progressive
rules on the levying of the minimum net wealth tax, is discriminating against taxpayers being in comparatively
similar situations (i.e. taxpayers which would have been subject to an inferior amount of minimum net wealth tax
if not solely due the composition of their balance sheet). The Court ruled that, absent a reason for the different
treatment, the provision does not take into account the principle of fair contribution to taxes based on a
taxpayer's financial capacity and hence violates the constitutional principle of equality.
This ruling represents a landmark decision through which the Luxembourg Constitutional Court interpreted
provisions of Luxembourg tax law in favour of taxpayers. A reform of the fixed minimum net wealth tax is hence
to be expected to address the question of unconstitutionality raised by the Constitutional Court.
59
Simmons & Simmons Luxembourg LLP
26A Boulevard Royal
Swipe to continue L-2449 Luxembourg
Contacts
Luxembourg
T +352 26 21 16 01
simmons-simmons-Luxembourg
Investment Funds
E [email protected] E [email protected]
Corporate, M&A
Camille Saettel
TMT
Julie Carbiener
Tax
Partner
T +352 26 21 16 16
E [email protected]