It would seem that the notification of a concentration must be filed within one week of (i) the official announcement of the public bid by the Finance and Banking Commission in the case of public bids made in Belgium or (ii) the publication in the press in the case of public bids made abroad. This can lead to differences with regard to the time when the notification must be lodged.

For example, in Belgium the public bid must be announced by the Finance and Banking Commission no later than 14 days before the bid is launched, whereas in the UK the earliest date for a press announcement is 28 days prior to the publication of the formal offer document.

Anne-Françoise Meeus and Sybille Pringot
Freshfields Deringer
Brussels