Private investigator licensing in Belgium
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Belgium.
Since 16 December 2024 private investigation is governed by the Law of 18 May 2024 on private investigation, which replaced the 1991 private detective law. Investigation firms and in-house investigation departments need a licence from the Federal Public Service Interior, valid for five years, and every individual investigator needs an identification card from the Interior Minister, also valid for five years. Investigations of employees must be expressly provided for in the work rules, and using an unlicensed investigator can lead to an administrative fine of EUR 10,000 to 15,000.
21
3 years
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How to get licensed
- 1
Check the personal conditions: 21 or over, EEA or Swiss national and resident, no criminal convictions, no police or intelligence service in the last 3 years
- 2
Meet the training and experience conditions set by royal decree
- 3
Appoint a data protection officer for the firm (a licence condition)
- 4
Apply to FOD Binnenlandse Zaken for the company licence using the document list and sworn declarations (Bijlage 1 for the company, Bijlage 2 for each person)
- 5
Obtain an identification card for every manager, mandataris and investigator before they start work
Licensed somewhere else?
See whether you can take a case in Belgium.
How to qualify
- Who holds the licence
- Individuals and agencies
- Experience
- Must not have been a member of a police, intelligence or security service in the previous 3 years (art. 30, 6°); further experience rules set by royal decree
- Training
- Professional training and experience conditions set by royal decree (art. 30, 5°)
- Citizenship
- National of an EEA state or Switzerland with main residence in the EEA or Switzerland (art. 30, 2°)
- Renewal
- Company licence and individual identification card: 5 years, renewable for equal terms (arts. 11 and 43)
- Firearms
- Private investigation must be carried out unarmed (art. 97).
Rules in the field
Recording conversations
All-party consent
Everyone in the conversation must agree before you record it.
GPS trackers
Investigators may not install or use equipment to locate a person or track their movements unless that person gave prior consent (art. 91); technical means other than a camera are banned during observation (art. 92), and observing the same person is capped at under four days a month (art. 90).
Sources
Reference information, not legal advice. Confirm with the regulator before taking on work. Out of date? Tell us.
Questions about PI licensing in Belgium
Do you need a licence to be a private investigator in Belgium?+
Yes. Private investigators need a licence in Belgium. Since 16 December 2024 private investigation is governed by the Law of 18 May 2024 on private investigation, which replaced the 1991 private detective law. Investigation firms and in-house investigation departments need a licence from the Federal Public Service Interior, valid for five years, and every individual investigator needs an identification card from the Interior Minister, also valid for five years. Investigations of employees must be expressly provided for in the work rules, and using an unlicensed investigator can lead to an administrative fine of EUR 10,000 to 15,000.
Who licenses private investigators in Belgium?+
FOD Binnenlandse Zaken / SPF Intérieur – Algemene Directie Veiligheid en Preventie, Directie Private Veiligheid, under Wet van 18 mei 2024 tot regeling van de private opsporing (Belgisch Staatsblad 6 December 2024, in force 16 December 2024).
How old do you have to be to become a private investigator in Belgium?+
At least 21.
How much experience do you need to be a PI in Belgium?+
Must not have been a member of a police, intelligence or security service in the previous 3 years (art. 30, 6°); further experience rules set by royal decree
How often does a Belgium PI licence need renewing?+
Company licence and individual identification card: 5 years, renewable for equal terms (arts. 11 and 43)
How do you get a private investigator licence in Belgium?+
1. Check the personal conditions: 21 or over, EEA or Swiss national and resident, no criminal convictions, no police or intelligence service in the last 3 years 2. Meet the training and experience conditions set by royal decree 3. Appoint a data protection officer for the firm (a licence condition) 4. Apply to FOD Binnenlandse Zaken for the company licence using the document list and sworn declarations (Bijlage 1 for the company, Bijlage 2 for each person) 5. Obtain an identification card for every manager, mandataris and investigator before they start work
Can an investigator licensed elsewhere work a case in Belgium?+
Firms without a Belgian establishment still need a Belgian licence, but the Interior Minister takes into account guarantees from lawful practice in another EEA state when assessing the application (art. 10).
Can a private investigator record phone calls in Belgium?+
Belgium requires everyone's consent: all parties must agree before a conversation is recorded.
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