Are you a student/trainee?
Are you looking for a career where science, technology, law, and innovation come together? The profession of patent attorney plays a key role in protecting inventions, supporting innovators, and contributing to a knowledge-based economy.
This page brings together useful information for anyone wishing to prepare for the Belgian qualification as a patent attorney. Whether you are a student, already working in the field, or considering a career change, you will find here the main resources to help structure your path.
Exam
The professional title of patent attorney is legally protected. Access to the profession is obtained by passing an examination organized annually. After successfully passing, you are entered into the register of recognized patent attorneys.
Via the link below, you will find an overview of the official conditions, procedures, and practical information relating to the Belgian patent attorney examination. You will discover the structure of the exam, the expected competencies, the registration procedures, as well as the official documents and regulations.
The Ministerial Decree of 2 March 2026 setting out the arrangements for 2026 can be consulted in the Belgian Official Gazette.
The examination and the aptitude test begin on 18 June 2026.
The registration form can be downloaded on the Dutch or French versions of this page.
Register
The register of recognized patent attorneys can be consulted via the link below.
A candidate for the examination must demonstrate at least three years of experience as an assistant to a recognized patent attorney, working under their supervision or as a delegated employee, and having participated in the search, preparation, drafting, and prosecution of patent applications.
Important legal sources
As part of your preparation, you will find below a non-exhaustive selection of legislative texts that may be relevant to your studies and your future professional practice.
Courses
We kindly direct you to the Dutch or French versions of this page for more up-to-date information on recent courses in Belgian Patent Law.
Publications
We kindly direct you to the Dutch or French versions of this page for more up-to-date information on recent courses in Belgian Patent Law.