One-year badge
What is the one-year badge?
This badge grants journalists with access to the Council premises during European Council meetings, Euro Summits, Summits with third countries and other high level events. It can also be used to access the Council on regular working days.
Journalists holding a one-year badge no longer need to register and collect a new badge for each event.
Who is eligible to apply for the one-year badge?
The one-year badge is only available for:
- EU/EFTA nationals residing in Belgium
- non-EU nationals who have lived in Belgium for at least 5 years
You must meet the following criteria:
- be a journalist (you will be requested to upload a copy of your European interinstitutional or Belgian press card OR a letter from your chief editor)
- reside in Belgium
- have a national register number, which is shown on your Belgian identity document
- be an EU/EFTA citizen or have been residing in Belgium for at least 5 years
Accreditation of UK nationals
As from the 1st January 2021 media representatives with UK nationality must meet the requirement of having a permanent residence in Belgium for at least 5 consecutive years, to be able to apply for a one-year press badge.
UK nationals not complying with this requirement will still be able to apply ad-hoc for European Councils and other high-level meetings.
How do I apply for the one-year badge?
A notice is published at the start of the accreditation period. All applications for accreditation must be submitted within that period. Late applications will be rejected.
The accreditation period will be then re-opened on the occasion of each ordinary European Council Summit as well as of high-level events that might occur.
During the accreditation period, you can apply for the one-year badge online:
Before starting the online procedure please make sure to have at hand the following piece of information and documents:
- the number of your valid identity document (national identity cards are only accepted for EU and EFTA nationals) or passport, as well as the issuing and expiry dates thereof
- a scanned copy of your EU inter-institutional badge or Belgian press card, OR of the assignment letter signed by your editor-in-chief confirming that you are covering EU affairs during the current year
- a passport-sized picture in jpeg format (max. 500KB)
You will also be asked to print, sign and upload a form to give your authorisation to be security screened by the Belgian authorities. You will be able to download your consent form from your account.
How do I know if my request has been accepted?
After you have filled in the online application, you will receive an e-mail confirming that your request has been received. We will process your application, please note that this may take some time.
For updates on your request status, you can check regularly your online profile. You will also receive an email once your application has been validated and the badge is ready to be collected.
If your application is rejected or if you need to provide further information, the Council press centre will contact you.
When and where can I collect my one-year badge?
You will receive an email when your request is accepted and your badge is ready to be collected.
Collection will be possible from 8.00 to 18.00 every working day, at the main reception of the Justus Lipsius building. You will also be able to pick up your badge at the LEX building whenever the badge collection desk is open for a high-level event.
Although group registration is still possible, the collection of one-year badges will be on an individual basis only. Each applicant must collect his/her badge in person.
What should I do if there is a new high-level event coming up and my one-year badge is not yet accepted?
As long as your one-year badge request is not accepted, you must register individually for each event.
What happens if I lose my one-year badge?
You must contact the Council press centre immediately ([email protected] - +32 (0)2 281 9000). A new badge will be issued and your initial badge will be deactivated automatically.
What happens if I forget to bring my badge with me?
A new badge will be issued and your "previous badge" will be deactivated automatically.
Last review: 5 December 2025