How to register at the Brussels Bar
You graduated in law from a foreign university, you are a fully qualified member of a foreign Bar Association and you wish to register at the Brussels Bar? You will find all information and formalities for registration down below and in the [Vademecum for European and non-European lawyers].
Lawyers who are nationals of a Member State of the European Union are entitled to establish themselves in Belgium and will request registration on the ‘EU-list’. Lawyers who are nationals of third countries (i.e. non-EU Member States) may also practice in Belgium on a permanent basis and, for that purpose, request registration on the ‘B-list’.
How to apply for registration on the EU-list
To apply for registration on the EU List, candidates should email the following documents in PDF format to orde@baliebrussel.be:
1. Completed application form (‘questionnaire’)
- The form must be completed, dated and signed by the applicant.
- It should include an office address within the judicial district of Brussels or Halle-Vilvoorde.
- Application forms are available in:
2. National passport copy
- A regular copy of the national passport proving EU27 nationality.
3. Bar Association registration certificate
- A certificate from the home state’s Bar Association, no more than 3 months old, or a valid practicing certificate.
4. Certificate of good standing
- A certificate of good standing from the home state’s Bar Association, issued within the last 3 months.
5. Proof of payment
- Evidence of payment of the one-time registration fee of €300,00 (see details under ‘costs’).
6. Professional liability insurance (if applicable):
- If the applicant wishes to opt out of the Brussels Bar’s collective professional liability insurance, a certificate from the insurance company should be added.
- The certificate must confirm coverage for the applicant’s Belgian activities for at least €2,500,000 per claim with a maximum deductible of €2,500.
- If the applicant wishes to join the collective professional liability insurance, no certificate is needed.
How to apply for registration on the B-list
A B-list candidate should send the following documents in pdf-form via e-mail to orde@baliebrussel.be:
1. Completed application form (‘questionnaire’)
- The form must be completed, dated and signed by the applicant.
- It should include an office address within the judicial district of Brussels or Halle-Vilvoorde.
- Application forms are available in:
2. Bar Association registration certificate
- A certificate from the home state’s Bar Association, no more than 3 months old, or a valid practicing certificate.
3. Training completion evidence
- Proof that the training period has been completed with the Bar of origin, or if this cannot be obtained, a statement on honor or a sworn statement that the training formalities have been completed.
4. Certificate of good standing
- A certificate of good standing from the home state’s Bar Association, issued within the last 3 months.
5. Proof of status in Belgium
- Evidence of the applicant’s status in Belgium (e.g., copy of the residence permit, recognition as a political refugee).
6. Proof of payment
- Evidence of payment of the one-time registration fee of €300,00 (see details under ‘costs’).
7. Professional liability insurance
- Proof of professional liability insurance coverage for the legal activities carried out in Belgium, i.e. a certificate from the insurance company confirming that the applicant’s Belgian activities are covered for at least €2.500.000,00 per claim with a maximum deductible of €2.500,00.
- Lawyers applying for registration on the B-list can indicate their wish to opt into the collective professional liability insurance subscribed by the Brussels Bar in the application form. In that case, no insurance certificate should be added.
Costs
One-time registration fee
Registration on the EU-list or B- list of the Brussels Bar (Dutch speaking section) is subject to a registration fee of € 300,00. This amount has to be paid in advance on the following account number with reference of your name:
IBAN: BE68 6300 2220 0834
BIC: BBRUBEBB
Annual Bar membership fee
Membership at the Brussels Bar is also subject to an annual Bar fee. For the calendar year 2023, the bar fee is determined as follows:
- EU-list: € 2.200,00. A member of the EU-list can apply for a refund of part of the annual membership fee when submitting evidence of an equivalent professional liability insurance.
- B-list: € 1.700,00.
The annual bar fee is due after registration and will be invoiced. For registrations after June 30th, the bar fee is reduced by 50%. Lawyers that were already enrolled, will receive their invoice in January. Newly registered lawyers will receive their invoice after having received the confirmation of registration on the EU-list or B-list.
Please note that membership at the Brussels Bar will be automatically renewed every year.
Lawyers are obliged to report to the Bar as soon as possible:
- Any change of office or address
- Any change in insurance coverage
- Their wish to deregister from the Bar. Lawyers have to request their omission from the bar before December 31st to avoid the bar fee for the following year.
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Balie Brussel