Practising law in Belgium as a foreign lawyer

A route exists, with conditionsLimited home-law practice is possible

A lawyer qualified outside the EU who is registered at a home bar can practise permanently in Belgium by being entered on a bar's 'B-list'. Someone with a foreign degree who wants to become a full Belgian lawyer has to have the degree recognised as equivalent to a Belgian one.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

Rules change. This page describes the kinds of route that exist. The regulator listed under “Official sources” publishes the current requirements, fees and dates, so always confirm with them. This is general information, not legal advice.

The routes

B-list registration for lawyers from outside the EU

For: Non-EU lawyers who are registered at a bar in their own country.

Apply to a Belgian bar for registration on the B-list. The Bar Council checks that you are in good standing at your home bar, have met any traineeship obligation there, have no incompatibility, have residence status, and carry suitable insurance.
Practise with the B-list's more limited rights, which differ from those of lawyers on the main list.

The Brussels Bar publishes guidance on the lists for European and non-European lawyers.

Becoming a full Belgian lawyer with a foreign degree

For: People whose law degree comes from outside Belgium.

Have the degree recognised as equivalent by a Belgian university. The university may require you to take extra courses. The French-speaking bars also run an aptitude test as an alternative.
Complete the bar's traineeship and exams. A recent amendment lets non-EU nationals requalify and lets bars recommend that foreign degrees be accepted for the bar exam, if they show sufficient knowledge of Belgian and EU law.

We could not confirm the length of the traineeship for these applicants, so ask the Dutch-speaking (OVB) or French-speaking (AVOCATS.BE) bar.

Practising only your home-country law

The B-list gives non-EU lawyers a permanent but narrower place in Belgium. EU lawyers have their own list and rights.

Understand the legal system first

Belgium belongs to the Civil law family. Knowing how its system works makes the admission route easier to follow.

Read the Belgium legal-system profile in the Legal Families Atlas →
Compare Belgium with another country →

Official sources

TheLawToKnow Tools’s Bar Admission guide is an educational overview of general rules. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the regulator’s own information. Report a mistake.